Donate

Meet the team

At Promas CIC, we believe that every carer should be valued and cared for.
Our team has extensive professional experience and we’re committed to ensuring unpaid carers have access to skills training and the emotional support they need.

Bernie DeLord

Executive Director

Bernie is one of the Directors at Promas CIC. Her working background has been in mental health and social care for the past 33 years, working in the UK and New Zealand where she first began working with carers organisations. When she returned to the UK in 2009 she met Jenny and they became interested in working with unpaid carers. They started this work in 2011 and started the company in 2013.

Jenny Tarvit

Executive Director

Jenny is one of the Directors of Promas CIC and has over 20 years of teaching experience in voluntary and public sectors. Jenny has managed a variety of projects funded by European Social fund, Department for Works and Pensions and the Skills Funding Agency supporting people to move forward with their lives through education, advice and assistance.

Matthew Stone

Non-Executive Director (Volunteer)

Matthew has over a decade of experience working in the fields of design, communications and project management. He has professionally collaborated with several non-profits, including the RNLI, ShelterBox, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, ChildFund and Cornwall Hospice Care.

He is the Creative Director of the communications agency Ridgeline Studio, as well as an Associate Lecturer at Falmouth University. He has a passion for working with organisations that are trying to make a difference to individuals, the community or the world at large.

Matthew has joined the team at Promas CIC as a non-executive Director to help build on the fantastic work that the Community Interest Company has been achieving since it established. He brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to the team, notably a strategic view on communications and project management, creative thinking and a strong network base in Cornwall.

When not designing, Matthew is also a Beach Lifeguard with the RNLI – a role he has held for 14 years. He is also part of the international training team with the charity, travelling to developing countries to teach lifesaving skills, helping to reduce the global drowning rate. He co-founded Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club and was elected as Chairman for 10 years, stepping down from the role in December 2018. He is a voluntary lifeguard trainer with Surf Life Saving GB and was recognised for this dedication by being presented with a distinguished ‘Services to Lifesaving’ award. He is also a sports coach at Truro School and a call-out member with West Cornwall Search and Rescue Team.

Dave Hocking

Non-Executive Director

Dave joined Promas CIC as a Non-Executive Director in January 2020, but his interest and involvement goes right back to its inception. He has worked in the Economic and Community Development field for more than 20 years and it was whilst working for a local community development charity providing governance and funding support that the relationship with Promas CIC began. At that time Dave’s help included assisting Promas CIC secure over £300k of funding. More crucially he highlights that this time also “provided the opportunity to witness first-hand the fantastic (and vital) work that Promas CIC delivers in supporting carers and so when the opportunity arose to join the board arose it was an easy decision”.

Dave’s economic and community development roles have been varied and have included over 10 years working in both local government and the voluntary sectors in various positions including those of Development Manager and Commissioner. In these roles he has helped lever in over £20m of external funding into Cornwall from a variety of sources including European funding, Lottery, responding to tenders, charities and trust funds.

The expertise he brings to the board includes voluntary sector governance, funding, strategic business planning as well as a good understanding of public sector working practices and processes.

During his spare time, you are quite likely to find Dave somewhere near the sea trying to keep fit by kayaking, swimming or walking the coast path.
Matt

Matt Williams

Admin and Marketing Assistant

Matthew is an ambitious and highly motivated individual. He joined the organisation in February of 2022 and is based in the Promas CIC office in Pool, where he occupies an Admin and Marketing Assistant position. He has an honour’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in continental philosophy. His hobbies include reading, writing, running, playing football, and socialising with friends. In recent years, he has developed a keen interest in philosophy. He believes the knowledge, insights, and skills he has acquired will assist the continued development of Promas CIC.
IMG_1669 (002)

Sue Pitt

Course Tutor

Sue has had a long career in nursing and is a specialist Occupational Health Nurse Advisor, working with individuals with physical and mental health conditions, and has a keen interest in health promotion and health and wellbeing. Due to her interest in mental health, Sue became a Mindfulness Now Teacher and set up Mindfulness Newlyn in 2020, to support individuals with their mental health and general relaxation.

Mindfulness is the human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, present with but not overly reactive to what’s going on around us. Mindfulness can be undertaken through seated, walking, standing, and moving meditation and through deliberate awareness and appreciation of our everyday activities, which carers can explore when they attend the sessions through Promas. Sessions can be flexible and adaptable to meet carers needs.

Kelly Bennett

Course Tutor

Kelly Bennett set up Walk Kernow in 2012. After experiencing the benefits that

Nordic walking gave her, she wanted to share her love for the sport and its physical and mental benefits. Not long after Kernect Social was also started, as so many of her walkers enjoyed socialising together. Walk Kernow has become a whole fitness, wellbeing and lifestyle group.

From then she has had team members join her all with a love of Nordic Walking and all of which have completed their Nordic Walking qualifications and first aid courses and are fully insured.

Together Kelly and her team bring you safe, well planned, fun Nordic Walks across the Cornish Countryside.
Tracey

Tracey Griffiths

Course Tutor

Tracey has worked for Recovery College Cornwall as a Community Trainer and Curriculum Development Co-ordinator since 2019, where she delivers mental health recovery courses that encourage people to engage in activity to promote their own recovery. Alongside this, Tracey works as a Health Care Assistant in community hospitals where she supports physical care and recovery. In this environment, she believes it is essential to make time to acknowledge the impact of physical ill-health on mental health. Tracey is passionate about supporting recovery and taking the time to listen to people in a way that invites them to share their wisdom is at the heart of my practice. Tracey is excited to be part of the PROMAS team and look forward to meeting you all.
Polly-Roberts

Polly Roberts

Course Tutor

Polly Roberts is an explorer of people and place: a writer, community arts worker, nature lover and traveller. Polly Roberts holds a BA in Creative Writing from UEA and a MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. She is author of the travel memoir Social or Solitary. In 2017 Polly won the British Council’s ‘Writers by Nature’ scholarship for emerging nature writers. Her debut poetry collection Grieving with the Animals was published Summer 2019 by Dempsey and Windle. Polly currently lives in Cornwall where she is writing her novel, completing her diploma in Counselling and working for The Writers’ Block, Cornwall’s creative writing centre. She has run creative writing workshops in schools, detention centres and community settings.

Gigi Dyer

Course Tutor

Having trained in Multidisciplinary Arts and Illustration in Sheffield and Falmouth, I later undertook teacher training in Sheffield and foundation level art therapy CPD in Truro, Derby and Dubai. After more than 10 years working across the curriculum in the UK and overseas, in primary, secondary schools, FE colleges and informal learning environments, I now specialise in community arts, literacy and well-being. I’ve facilitated craft activities in sheltered housing, creative TEFL classes for adult learners (multi-faith nationalities, including asylum seekers/refugees), and bespoke SEND arts activities (now also via Zoom). I really care about creating a happy, comfortable space for each participant to experiment at their own pace, be creative in their own way and gain confidence. In my free time, you can find me drawing & making, gardening, eachcombing, immersing myself in the natural world, music, foreign films, and visiting galleries. Travel has given me a lifelong love of people, culture, history and languages.
Claire-5851 (002)

Claire Wilson

Course Tutor

Claire Wilson is a professional photographer and videographer operating under her business, LLE-Photography. She has a passion for showing stories in her images, and that’s demonstrated in her work with local brands, as well as her love for capturing the great outdoors, nature and all things that are inspiring. She is also the author of the photobook “Hidden in Plain Sight: A Photographic Journey into Cornish mines”. Teaching for Claire is about sharing the skills and ability to see and capture the interesting in every day life.”

Kellie Gilmour

Course Tutor

Integrative therapist, tutor and mentor Kellie Gilmour’s life changed 19 years ago after being diagnosed with a chronic pain condition and has faced long-term health problems ever since.

From that day she has committed to researching, studying, qualifying in and practicing complementary and conventional therapeutic techniques to find relief for her own health problems initially, now to support others with mental or physical ill-health. Training in mental health support, NHS accredited Health Coaching and Cornwall Council’s ‘Healthy Cornwall’ as an MECC trainer, she has become a facilitator for the improvement of health in our communities, encouraging and empowering people to make healthier lifestyle choices and to achieve positive long term behaviour changes.

Her training with The Sleep Council’s The Sleep Charity inspired her to create ‘The Sleep Mentor’ – creating beneficial health, behavioural and cultural change within our communities through recognising the vital importance of healthy sleep.

A practicing therapist for over ten years at Falmouth Natural Health Practice, you can also find her delivering many health and wellbeing workshops for local authority, educational and community support organisations throughout the county.

Jack Greaves

Course Tutor

Jack works for the South West Coast Path Association who work with our local partners to protect our amazing coast path. He is working with local support organisations and runs a range of free and open walks across Cornwall. He says “I am delighted to start providing walks for PROMAS and those they support. Walking in nature with others is a great way to just take some time out from your day to day chores and connect with those with a shared experience. I am really excited to lead these walks for our wonderful unpaid carers, as they do so much for others it is an opportunity to offer just a little back.”

Scott Richards

Course Tutor

I was a late starter to the game of golf, taking the game up when I was 15 years old. Three years later I got my handicap down to 4 and turned pro in 1993 to start my PGA Course at West Cornwall Golf Club.

I passed my final exams in 1997. I then moved from Cornwall to Bristol to start work at the Kendleshire Golf Club. I established myself as a full-time coach, teaching the complete beginner to the experienced and professional golfer. A lot of my time is dedicated to Junior Golf.

In 2005 the lure of Cornwall made my family and I return to Cornwall. I am now offering my full range of golf coaching services in the Truro area.

As well as being a PGA Qualified Teaching Pro, I have a Diploma in Sports Psychology and have completed various seminars. (Body in Golf, Golf Psychology, Coaching Structures) As a Pro I still have lessons myself with Denis Pugh (Monty’s Coach). Scott says: “No matter what level you play the game you will never stop learning.”

Lesley Oates

Course Tutor

Lesley is an enthusiastic advocate for the benefits of complementary therapies to support our health and wellbeing.

Working over twenty-eight years as a complementary therapist reflects her personal journey from health spa therapist, to teaching complementary therapies at further and higher education colleges, and her current role as Complementary Therapies Education Facilitator at Cornwall Hospice where she collaborates with staff upskilling them to give gentle treatments for patients and providing staff wellbeing treatments.

Lesley is an experienced practitioner and teacher of Aromatherapy, Reflexology, and Indian Head Massage among other therapies. She is a Reiki Master and Flower Essence Practitioner and was Education Officer for the British Flower and Vibrational Essences Association (BFVEA) for ten years.

As part of the community team at Cornwall Hospice Lesley regularly runs wellbeing sessions for patients and carers about how essential oils can help calm and restore us, and to build confidence so that we can safely use them at home.

Anna

Course Tutor

Anna loves sharing her passion for keeping active in an accessible and fun way. She hopes to make everyone welcome into my sessions and be part of a friendly community. She has been working in the fitness industry for 15 years and has worked up to level 4 qualifications, holds a 200-hour Yoga certificate and is qualified in Pilates with the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (also have a Pilates Level 3 Diploma).

Course Tutor

Theresa

Course Tutor

I have been Nordic Walking for 6 years, in April 2018 I qualified as a Nordic Walking Instructor with the British Nordic Walking Association after funding and undertook a course in Wales.

I began Nordic walking following an injury to my Achilles and am no longer able to participate in high impact activities, with an interest in the outdoor and walking this was the ideal activity for me to keep fit. I have recently retired from the NHS after 33 years’ service, I am a Registered General Nurse and spent 30 years working on surgical wards at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and 3 years working in the community as a District Nurse.

I currently undertake walks throughout North Cornwall, Caradon and Restormel, these walks are risk assessed and evaluated on the walker’s ability. I offer walks of various distances, including coastal, countryside, beach and clay country and cater for all abilities.

Our upcoming events

Book your place at one of our fun and caring social events.
View all events

Putting carers first

Twitter Facebook-f
ICS Logo for Website
Kernow health
funded through HLSW
Cornwall-logo-Map-2
CCS
Carefree_Logotype_CMYK_Yellow
© Promas Caring for People CIC 2023
Website Design & Development by Ridgeline Studio