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DAVID THOMAS

Director and Co-Owner of Something Different Consulting

With over four decades of experience in social policy, health inequality, and strategic leadership, I am a passionate advocate for systemic change and equitable outcomes for all. My career spans youth and community work, residential social work, child protection, and a 35-year specialisation in substance misuse and race equality. I have dedicated my life to addressing health inequalities and empowering vulnerable populations, bridging that important gap between high-level policy and grassroots action.  

 A recent example of my work includes leading a transformative change management project with Aquarius Addiction Services, aimed at enhancing cultural competence across the organisation. Using a root-to-branch approach, I reviewed performance data against key equality metrics, engaged stakeholders at all levels from board members to service users, and delivered a comprehensive report with actionable insights. I then established and supported a cross-functional change team to develop and implement a sustainable action plan, embedding improvements in governance and leadership, and operational practices. This project exemplifies my ability to drive meaningful, lasting change by aligning strategy with execution.  

  • Beyond my professional expertise, I also bring decades of private-sector experience, and was up until 2016, a franchisee of a large fast food restaurant business. Here, I honed my business acumen and learned how big corporations do community engagement. As an experienced Addiction Recovery Coach and professional trainer in leadership and management, my mission is to empower, be that individuals and/or organisations to navigate challenges and achieve transformative outcomes. My passion for music and experience in artiste and events management further enrich my creative approach to problem-solving and team collaboration.  

    Guided by the Ubuntu philosophy “I am because we are”, I believe in the power of collective effort and the importance of building inclusive, sustainable solutions. At Something Different Consultancy, I combine strategic vision with a deeply caring and collaborative approach, ensuring that change is not only achieved but sustained.  

    Above all, I am a proud father of three, a grandparent, and a lifelong learner. My curiosity and adaptability are captured in my personal philosophy: “I don’t know a lot about anything, but I know a little bit about a lot.” This mindset, coupled with my commitment to community and connection, drives my work to create a better world for future generations.  

JOHN GILLESPIE

Director of Something Different/Voluntary Sector Consultant

I have worked in the voluntary/public sector for the last 15 years in a number of high profile roles – at the Commission on Unclaimed Assets, in Asset Based Community Development, personal budgeting /self-directed-support for people with disabilities. I ran ACEVO’s (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations’) consultancy service for four years from 2011, and have subsequently interspersed periods of consultancy with salaried positions including leading a mental health charity, and an international gestalt based NGO. In my consultancy work I developed specialisms around VCS partnership and consortium working, multi-agency working including service co-design and commissioning.

I began training as a Gestalt psychotherapist in 2010…

  • I am an NCPS registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and group psychotherapist with a private practice based mainly around offering affordable therapy to those with experience of early life trauma including sexual trauma. I have experience of working with serious mental health needs gained as CEO of the BowHaven mental health charity (2019-20) in East London. In addition I supported the set up and facilitated a community-based peer support service in Sutton as part of their local mental health transformation. During my therapy training I founded a social enterprise dedicated to enabling trainee and qualified therapists, trainers and supervisors to increase skills, develop policy in equality and diversity and contribute to social justice agendas around the world. I currently live in the Western Isles where I practice and run therapeutic groups assisted by my dog Audrey.

LEONIE McCARTHY

Coach and Advance Trainee Psychotherapist

As a successful Chief Executive and Executive Lead in National and Local Government, Voluntary Sector and Private Business, I am a humble recipient of various prestigious awards for my contribution to management and civil service policy development. A highly qualified Executive and Life Coach and trained at Master’s Level in integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, I bring unique leadership expertise and knowledge in an array of fields. My broad experience includes Health and Wellbeing, Inclusion, Employment, Training and Tackling Poverty. With 30 years’ commitment to inspiring others and acclaimed international speaker, my relational approach harnesses untapped individual and group energy and potential. Appointed HM Cabinet Office ‘’Commissioner for Integration and Cohesion’’ and working alongside international governments, I co-authored the acclaimed ‘’Our Shared Future’’ Report securing £50m funding for communities.