Lilian Baker MBE (Chairman)

Lilian has formerly worked as a legal secretary.  She set up Advocacy in Wirral in 1992, with a group of other service users, after personal experience of mental ill health.   She had found that if practical problems weren't resolved this was detriment to her own (and other people's) recovery, and strongly believes that service users should be involved in every aspect of their care - who better than the expert by experience?

Lilian has taken on many roles over the years, and learnt many new skills ranging from fundraising (over £1.25 million), recruiting and training volunteers, dealing with personnel, committee/meeting skills, writing office policies and procedures through to finding suitable office premises and painting and decorating the same.  Lilian isn't averse to "begging and borrowing" if it can be beneficial to AiW and the services we provide.
 
She remains very active as AiW's Chairman, and attends the office a minimum of 2 days a week, and now facilitates the Women's Group, as well as representing AiW at various venues/meetings whenever and whererever necessary.  In between this, she finds time to attend our weekly swimming group and walking groups.  She is totally committed to advocacy,  and AiW has played a major role in her life.  Since 1992, she has witnessed many improvements in local mental health services, but still believes that we have a long way to go.
 

John Hinde (Treasurer)

After graduating as an engineer, John Hinde worked initially as a Project Manager in the oil and gas sector. However, most of his career was spent as a senior manager/managing director of a technical services company within the same sector. During this time, he also served voluntarily on various regeneration boards and training boards. Retirement from employment was preceded by a period as a self-employed management consultant, a period which involved providing general management, HR and acquisitions advice.

John became involved with Advocacy in Wirral in 1998 and has remained involved ever since. He has acted as a debt adviser and continues to act as trustee, director and treasurer.
He is also a trustee/director of the National Gardens Scheme and also acts for them as Deputy County Organiser for Wirral and Cheshire West.

He is a keen gardener and, with his wife, they open their own garden under the National Gardens Scheme for charity, as well as being a avid photographer. He is also involved (albeit at a lower intensity) with the local photographic society and with St Peter’s Church, Heswall.