our team.
About Healthy Chats CIC
Healthy Chats CIC are a not-for-profit organisation with a passion for helping communities talk comfortably about physical health & have a social aspiration to help others.
our beginnings.
A not-for-profit company with the social aspiration to help others.
Formed during the pandemic
Healthy Chats, a community interest company started as a result of conducting training for the social care sector.
Pilot was developed under Paula's name
CEO Paula Manning realised there was a big gap in the sector with little training in physical health for social prescribers, social care workers, social workers and anybody in-between so she created a pilot package under her own name at that point to make sure communities were getting the knowledge & help needed when it came to conversations about physical health in the non-healthcare sector.
Healthy Chats CIC was officially born
Paula was asked to work with We Are Undefeatable with the teams in Bolsolver during the pilot which was actually when the organisation was formed.
discover more about us.
We want to inspire people to spread positive health messages with each conversation, making every contact count.
Our values & ethos
We're a community interest company.
We’re not-for-profit & ran by a board of people who aspire to help others.
We keep what we discuss confidential.
All our sessions are a safe space to talk about physical activity & issues you face in your workplace.
Our policy is kindness.
Everyone’s opinion is valued and we’re here to listen & understand.
meet us.
our team
Paula Manning (she/her)
– Healthy Chats CIC CEO
Hi, I’m Paula Manning, one of the founders of the company and CEO.
I’m also a mental health physiotherapist in the NHS and Physical Activity Clinical Champion working for OHID. I hold physical activity conversations most days in my NHS role.
I founded Healthy Chats CIC with some friends after I developed an autoimmune disease and had used physical activity as a way of helping to managing it. I knew how important my knowledge about the benefits of moving more and staying strong were. I wanted to help other people to know how they could help themselves. Pain management using strength training is a subject close to my heart as it’s played a vital part in my life recently. Helping people understand its relevance is a passion.
Having attended the School for Social Entrepreneur start up course 2021/22, I have learnt a lot about running a business and help other CIC’s sharing our ‘set up’ work. Our approach is to keep all our communications and ways of working transparent, keeping things as simple as possible.
I love working with people and really enjoy physical activity especially dancing, walking and gardening and being active with my family. Catch me on Twitter @manning2paula.
Jyoti Patel
– Director at Healthy Chats CIC
I became involved with Healthy Chats after meeting Paula through a virtual support group during lockdown.
After talking we discovered we both had been diagnosed with the same chronic condition. I went from being a regular runner and gym user to being unable to dress and bathe myself due to losing muscle strength in my upper body.
Paula often hosted online exercise sessions during lockdown for our group and explained the importance of physical activity to help build and maintain strength and also its importance for mental health. The whole group found these sessions very helpful.
When setting up Healthy Chats, Paula approached me to see if I would be interested and I jumped at the opportunity as through my personal experience I knew how we could reach out and benefit others.
Tracey Harris
– Director at Healthy Chats CIC
From the moment I qualified as a physiotherapist, I have been committed to improving the health and well-being of others. My career has changed considerably from the hands-on clinician to a Hospital Director in a mental health hospital but I am still passionate in enhancing the lives of patients in my care.
I got involved with Healthy Chats as I believe in encouraging people to be active in whatever way they can. Teaching people how to have conversations around physical activity is a fantastic way to promote wellbeing.
I am lucky that I have always loved being on the go but it’s great to see the positive impacts through my own social circles when friends start to increase their own physical activity.
When I’m not working, I love cycling, running, and spending time with my family. However, I do need my rest, and will always have a book that I can settle into the chair with.
Ann Johnson (she/her)
– Secretary to Healthy Chats CIC
I am a registered dietitian with over 20years experience working in the NHS.
Most of my career has been spent working with diverse communities on various public health issues.
Since 2019 I have been a Physical Activity Clinical Champion in the South East.
I was diagnosed with a long-term condition last year and took some time to re-evaluate my priorities and made the decision to do less. I still offer dietetic advice privately to non-binary and transgender individuals as I am passionate about equality and diversity.
Since December 2021, I have been volunteering with Healthy Chats CIC as group secretary.
This gives me an opportunity to get involved with a community that is underrepresented and I am surrounded by a group of supportive, dynamic volunteers who have fun and look out for each other without judgement.
Sally Wood (she/her)
– Volunteer Business and Finance Adviser to Healthy Chats CIC
I’m Sally, and I love working with interesting and exciting businesses!
After spending nearly 30 years at HMV, most recently as Finance Director, I set up my own business in 2019 to provide part-time finance director and consultancy services. I have been Area Leader for the Federation of Small Businesses for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland since 2021, where I act as a spokesperson for the interests of small businesses.
I also act as a Board Advisor and Non-Executive Director to support senior management teams and have several roles in the not-for-profit sector, including working with CICs and charities.
I’ve been involved with Healthy Chats CIC as a volunteer since 2021, and support them with all things business and finance. I’m not a healthcare professional, but I know how much my own physical and mental health have benefited from being physically active. I bring a different perspective and dynamic to the team – they are passionate, collaborative and fun to work with, and I love the ethos and ambition of Healthy Chats CIC.
Toni Martin
– Volunteer at Healthy Chats CIC
I am a midwife with over 30 years experience with professional expert background and a highly developed knowledge of public protection and risk management issues.
I have worked within the NHS at most tiers of the service and have a particular interest in vulnerable groups, governance and professional regulation, gained from working as a Council Member for the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
Within the last 8 years I worked within a university as Principal Lecturer, Head of Midwifery Department and Lead Midwife for Education.
I am currently a Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) for OHID (previously PHE) and have a keen interest in training on the benefits of physical activity for everyone.
My voluntary activities include being a Trustee for a registered care home charity and I am the treasurer for the Maternity Voices Partnership for the local Maternity services.
I’m currently helping to develop the menopause training pilot.
Karen Wheeler
– Volunteer at Healthy Chats CIC
I am a registered Occupational Therapist with over 37 years in the NHS working in Mental Health services and Public Health. I am passionate about enabling people to enjoy meaningful good quality lives, encouraging mental wellbeing and supporting people with their recovery from mental health difficulties.
I took semi-retirement from NHS in 2019 and now work two days a week developing peer support in Mental Health. I also work with Derbyshire’s green social prescribing project GreenSPring, developing health pathways in the great outdoors.
I joined Healthy chats CIC as a friend and healthy chatter in March 2022. Being involved in Healthy Chats CIC gives me the opportunity to learn from others, share my skills and be part of a lovely group of friends and colleagues who hold the same values as myself.
