About

Chair

Colin Flynn

Colin has had many careers over his life-time, all within the people industry. He was initially trained as a Community Education worker and then moved into Social Work as a group worker and then counsellor.

He is now a Wellbeing Manager within a university setting. He is passionate about mindfulness and wishes that everybody has an opportunity to learn and experience mindfulness and compassion. Colin is interested in positive psychology and is keen to explore the overlap between Mindfulness and positive psychology. He graduated in 2014 from Aberdeen University with a Masters in Mindfulness.

Secretary

Karen Healy

Karen is a busy mum of two children and works as a Marketing Manager. She has worked as a volunteer for many charities over the last ten years, including working within many volunteer roles within our own Glasgow's Spirit of Christmas children's gift campaign.

With a background in marketing, admin, processes and procedures she brings a wealth of experience to her new volunteer role as Secretary. Karen completed the eight week Mindfulness Based Course with our charity in 2018 and is now excited to be a part of the team whose aim is to make wellbeing programmes more accessible to the general population and young people.

Centre Coordinator

Elaine McKinlay

Elaine is the owner and founder of one of Scotland top lifestyle organising companies, Clear Mountain that helps individuals and families simplify their homes, lives. She has worked in coaching and education in various countries throughout Europe. She has extensive experience in working with children and young adults helping them grow and develop their organising skills. She is the mother of two grown up sons and is committed to helping young people fulfil their potential.

She is a tutor at The University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Clyde College delivering a course on Moving from Chaos to Calm. Elaine is co-developing a new course with Julie at The Wellbeing Centre for our Young Adult Wellbeing Programme. She has volunteered over the past few years with our Glasgow's Spirit of Christmas campaign helping with the organising of charitable donations. She believes her organisational skills will positively contribute to her role as Centre Coordinator.

Chief Executive &

Mindfulness Tutor

Julie Griffin

Julie founded Cultivating Mindfulness a registered charity after 15 years of personal practice and is a trained mindfulness teacher registered with The British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA). She is a Mindfulness Teacher at the University of Glasgow and co-developed the University of Glasgow, Mindfulness: A Focus on Adolescents course, She is the Student Wellbeing Mindfulness Teacher for the City of Glasgow College and teaches mindfulness and compassion in public, private and third sector organisations. Julie is a devoted mum who is passionate about  making mindfulness training more accessible to young people to improve mental wellbeing and prevent issues arising later in life.

She is also a qualified Health Qigong Instructor and Heart Coherence Coach.

In Dec 2019, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson awarded Julie a Point of Light Award to recognise her work for founding Glasgow's Spirit of Christmas, children's gift campaign. A mindful, kind and compassionate community that has raised over £3.2 million of Gifts Made with Love for over 82,898 children affected by financial hardship & poverty.

Treasurer

Nicola Strange

Nicola has worked in the Banking industry for 18 years and is currently a Branch Manager at RBS.

She has led fundraising activities across all RBS branches for charities such as Maggie’s, JMA Trust, STV Appeal and SAMH. She has also coordinated the fundraising activities for Glasgow's Spirit of Christmas, children's gift campaign.  A busy working mum of two girls, they inspire her to help others and support the local community.  

Prior to becoming a Trustee for Cultivating Mindfulness,  her partnership with SAMH gave her some insight into the struggles young people face today and how mental health support can make a real difference to their lives.

She believes this knowledge together with her experience and valuable skills as a Branch Manager will contribute directly towards her trustee role.