Meet Our Trustee: Natalie Silcox
As we celebrate Trustee Week, we are excited to introduce you to one of our dedicated trustees at Mental Health Matters Wales, Natalie Silcox. With a wealth of experience in social work and consultancy, Natalie brings invaluable insights and expertise to our board.
Background and Professional Journey
Natalie is the Director of Social Synergy Limited, where she provides a range of consultancy services aimed at enhancing projects from both management and social work perspectives. Before this role, she served as the UK Head of Business for Barnardo’s adoption and fostering services, where she contributed to the growth and development of these essential services.
Her journey in social care began as a local authority foster carer, a role she held for six years before qualifying as a social worker. Throughout her career, Natalie has worked in various teams, including frontline and fostering services, culminating in her position as Group Manager for Regulated Services in local authority employment, which she left in 2018.
Training and Development
Natalie’s commitment to professional development extends beyond her direct work. As an associate trainer for The Fostering Network, she develops and delivers comprehensive training programs for social and residential workers, as well as foster carers. Her dedication to improving mental health awareness is evident in her delivery of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) alongside her sister, where they focus on equipping individuals with the skills to provide effective support.
In addition to her training efforts, Natalie chairs two local authority fostering panels and has been instrumental in establishing children’s residential homes and adult supported living services. She has written and reviewed service specifications and policies for various organisations, showcasing her expertise in shaping effective support frameworks.
Commitment to Advocacy
Beyond her consultancy work, Natalie is a volunteer coach for BASW (British Association of Social Workers) professional support services and serves as an Advisory Board Member for Avisant Consulting Limited and Avisant Holdings Limited, organisations dedicated to supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and providing residential facilities for young people.
Personal Interests
When she’s not working tirelessly to improve mental health and social care services, Natalie enjoys spending time with her husband and nieces. She loves curling up with a good book, swimming, and watching a good series—if she can manage to stay awake! An avid quiz enthusiast, she enjoys participating in quizzes, even if she doesn’t always come out on top.
At Mental Health Matters Wales, we are grateful for Natalie’s unwavering dedication and passion for improving the lives of others. Her extensive experience and commitment to training, development, and advocacy make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Get Involved!
As we celebrate Trustee Week, we invite you to reflect on the important work our trustees do and the positive impact they have on mental health services across Wales. If you’re inspired by Natalie’s story and would like to make a difference, consider volunteering or donating to Mental Health Matters Wales. Your support helps us continue providing vital services and advocating for mental health in our communities. Together, we can make a real difference!
For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.mhmwales.org.uk or donate https://www.justgiving.com/mentalhealthmatterswales reach out to us today!
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