Mandy Milano

I am passionate about ………
developing people …finding a better way of living and working on this amazing planet of ours …my three fab kids ………. my partner ……. and Cornwall

My background is …………
…10 years growing and developing small businesses – through their people,
…launching and running Common Purpose (a leadership development charity) in Cornwall,
…trained as a coach with the wonderful and inspirational Peter Needham founder of GHN coaching (now part of Penna Holdings) and founder of the Hanover Foundation; still learning from Peter and others.
…Diploma in Professional Counselling.
…so I have spent most of my working life developing people.
…communicating.
…oh ..... and a law degree, a few fab years working for a sailing magazine and several non-exec positions.

I have ………
…worked with groups of people from across the sectors – on culture change, future gazing, and developing leadership skills.
…with senior leaders on presentation skills.
…facilitated events and Away Days for different organisations.
…worked with a group of SureStart parents on developing their participation (and parenting) skills.
…developed communication strategies.
…worked with public sector organisations on developing their staff
… and always tried to engage and increase understanding of the impact of climate change.

If you want to be nice to me ………
Take me sailing.
Be nice about my three wonderful kids.
Or ……… a glass of red wine works wonders.

Jane Acton

Nearly 20 years in the community and voluntary sector fundraising, setting up projects which are still flourishing and supporting groups to move forward and achieve collective goals, specializing in environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, child poverty and mental health.

I finally joined the ranks of the ‘higher’ educated at the age of 37, with a degree from Bangor Uni in Botany and an MA from Goldsmiths in Social Anthropology, making me an ethnobotanist.

I have conducted salvage ethnobotany research in Wales and the high Andes looking at ways of saving ancient wisdom of using plants for medicines to benefit local economy and ecology.

I have campaigned on land use, climate change and human rights, being active in Earth First, Friends of the Earth, Shelter, This Land is Ours, Womens Aid and a plethora of local groups and organizations. I spent 2 years on the local district council.

For the last 6 years I have worked in the world of family services, and under the new legislation, we are forging a new shape of multi agency services which support families in avoiding problems reaching crisis point.

I have been a trainer in using plants for family healthcare and also basic management and development for the community and voluntary sector. As a fundraiser I have secured large government grants as part of multi agency teams down to smaller grants making a big impact in local communties.

Depending on the season I enjoy snorkeling, making tipis in woods and botanizing, dancing and singing and most important of all being with my gorgeous daughter, amazing family and wonderful friends.