Adam Price, Chair of Trustees 

Adam Price has lived locally in Clifton Road for over 30 years, so he knows the area well and has been a Trustee at the Sunlight Development Trust since 2010. He is a local councillor on Medway Council for the Labour & Cooperative party, and since May 2023 has served as lead member in the cabinet for Children’s services. 

Adam is semi-retired and self-employed. He had a career working in the NHS dealing with workforce strategy. Adam works as an independent councillor for various branches of the trade union UNISON. Adam unfortunately lost his partner Eileen in 2017 to bone cancer. He was her carer for 2 years. Eileen worked as a phlebotomist and volunteered with the High Hopes Gardening group at Sunlight.  Adam enjoys swimming and walking with Medway Ramblers. 

Simon MiIlard (Adv Dip Couns, Acc Memb NCPS), Vice-chair and Acting Treasurer 

Simon lived near the Sunlight Laundry as a child and teenager and several of his relatives worked in the laundry. He ran a successful DIY/Building business in partnership with his father for 25 years in Gillingham. He is married with 3 children and a new grandson. He has been on The Sunlight Steering Committee and Trustee’s Board since 2000. He is the founder of Kent Anger Management based in Gillingham from 2003. 

Simon is a counsellor (children in schools and adults), supervisor, mediator, coach, and facilitator. He also offers training in schools and organizations, providing workshops, seminars, and presentations.  He is a family man and has interests in music, sport and creative arts. ‘My life and work aims for better outcomes for children’. 

Lesley Mayo, Trustee  

Lesley joined us in 2020.   

Lia Mandaracas, Trustee  

Lia joined us in 2023 as a local resident and Councillor for Gillingham North.  She has a passion for increasing our engagement with young people, such as afterschool clubs and represents our community on the following Medway Committees: 

• Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Vice-Chairperson) 
• Joint Meeting of Committees 
• School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee 

Chengetai Madondo, Trustee  

Chengetai joined us in 2023 as our BME representative.  

Mirelle Frost MBA, Chief Executive Officer 

Mirelle joined in 2024 to help us to expand our asset-based services for our community.  She brings experience of property management, fundraising, mental health and domestic abuse service delivery.  She is passionate helping people and planet and received a scholarship award as a Leader of Sustainability from the University of Kent and a Health Business Award from Kent County Council as CEO of Kent Enterprise Trust.    

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family plus horse riding and volunteering for Riding for Disabled. 

Tracey Cross, Finance Manager 

Tracey has been a member of the strategic management team at the Sunlight Centre since 2009. Working predominately in the charity sector, her career in finance has been fuelled by her passion to support and empower local communities.

In her spare time Tracey loves to spend time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Exploring the beautiful Kent countryside is one of her favourite pastimes, as well as cooking and enjoying different cuisines from around the world. 

Phil Sissons, Services Manager  

Phil worked all over the world in media and project management for 25 years. Since his return to the UK he has worked and volunteered for a number of charities based in Medway in both creative and managerial positions. In his spare time, he enjoys vegan cooking and going to the opera. 

Megan Hannant, Wellbeing Café Co-Ordinator 

Megan joined the Sunlight Centre in March 2022 as Facilities Support Assistant and was seconded into our Wellbeing Café shortly after. She now works as our Wellbeing Café Co-Ordinator, supporting the community with their mental health needs, sign posting and teaching people to become more aware of their behaviours. Megan has worked in private residential rehabilitation homes for forensic clients, supported livings for adults with ASC and learning difficulties.  Megan contributes to the community in her spare time as A Better Medway Champion. She believes the Wellbeing Café is a vital part of the community and wishes she knew about the service when she had been struggling with her own mental health challenges. 

Jason Cheesman, Wellbeing Café Senior Facilitator 

Jason joined us in 2023 as a Facilitator and was quickly promoted due to his experience in supporting people with mental health needs, specialising in Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Young People and Homelessness.  He is also a musician and music promoter.  

Nadeem Malik, Wellbeing Café Facilitator 

Nadeem joined us in 2023 with Level 1, 2 and 3 Understanding Mental Health and Awareness and personal experience with mental health to support our service users.  He enjoys continuous learning and socialising with friends e.g. Playing pool.  Nadeem is looking to take on a Level 4 in Counselling or Psychology as his next challenge for personal and professional development. 

Tandia Kilmister, Wellbeing Café Facilitator 

Tandia joined the team in November 2023 and hit the ground running. She excels in making the community members feel welcome and valued, and we’re sure not sure how we managed without her bubbly, loud and loving personality. This is Tandia’s first job following time out spent recovering from a motorcycle accident. 

Chris White, Medway Men in Sheds Co-ordinator 

Chris is a long serving employee with a background of 20 years in community development, rehabilitation and health and well-being services. Prior to that, his career was primarily graphic design, print management and corporate communications – for small and multinational agencies in a wide spectrum of creative work.  His professional qualifications (beyond marketing communication) include a wide spectrum including; business management, engineering, countryside management and hypnotherapy. 

Malcolm Hazleton, Medway Men in Sheds Facilitator

Malcolm is a qualified Counsellor and Body Psychotherapist, with experience in Systemic work at the Institute of Family Therapy.  He grew up west of Birmingham (it’s called the Black Country), lived on a narrow boat in the midlands, in a cottage in Mid Wales, planted trees, was a bar manager in a community theatre in Deptford, drove a play bus, kayaked around the Isle of Wight and taught people to ride motorbikes.  He now lives in Strood with his wife and two step-children; he also has two sons who live in London and two daughters in the USA. 

Melvena Ford, Café Supervisor 

Mel joined us as a volunteer in 2022 and now runs our community café.  She has been a Teaching Assistant and a Paediatric First Aider.  In her free time, Mel enjoys helping at our Church and running Netball Lessons for young people in our community hall.