Our Team

Dr Sarah Miles
Managing Director and Founder

On completing her doctorate in cognitive neuropsychology at Cardiff University, Sarah’s specialisation in facial recognition took her to Headway Cardiff, where she was assistant manager of the day centre for people with acquired brain injuries. She followed her passion for working in research to Swansea University, where she worked on the Cognitive Function and Ageing study. This project explored wellbeing in later life, examining many different aspects of ageing, including dementia and depression. Working with older people, and seeing the clear benefits that singing and music brought for many of them, opened an opportunity to combine professional interest and her personal passion for music. Convinced of the demonstrable value of music in improving well-being, she and fellow enthusiast Kate set up With Music in Mind.

Kate Whitestone
Founder

Kate graduated with a BSc (hons) in Physiotherapy from Kings College London in 2001. After working in acute care at Kings College Hospital, Camberwell, Kate specialised in Community Paediatric Physiotherapy at Southwark Primary Care Trust, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Scope and as a private physiotherapist. During her career working with children with disabilities and their families Kate has developed an interest in the importance of social support, and the impact that this can have on both the emotional and physical well-being of those with disabilities and the people who support and care for them. Her physiotherapy background also means that Kate is an advocate of singing as a way to improve chest health. She currently works as a physiotherapist for older people with additional needs, e.g. dementia, but remains an integral part of the organisation and on the board of directors.

Lindsey Newman

After graduating as a nurse from The University of Wales, Cardiff, Lindsey worked in several different settings including Elderly Care Assessment Service, Rehabilitation, Cardio-thoracic surgery and District Nursing. It was during her time in the community that she witnessed the effects of isolation and loneliness within the older population and the subsequent health problems caused. Lindsey states that "working for WMIM is a wonderful and rewarding job. I love the community it has built and the friendship groups that have formed."

In her spare time Lindsey is also a silversmith and runs her own small business. She enjoys horse riding, craft projects, reading and walking her two dogs. She is also a member of the local Rock Choir.

Claire Sharpe

Originally from Weymouth, Claire grew up in Berkshire and came to Wales in 2006 to study at Cardiff University, graduating with a degree in Music and MA in Music, Culture and Politics. Since then she has worked at a number of the city's arts venues, as a Science Communicator at Techniquest, and for a couple of years ran her own business leading arts and crafts classes. She began volunteering at WMIM's Penarth group in 2022 and was delighted to join the team as a Support Worker in September 2023, then Activity Co-ordinator in August 2024.

In her free time Claire is a member of Affinity Choir, with whom she has performed at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Disneyland Paris, and Carnegie Hall, and she is looking forward to performing at the Lincoln Center NYC in 2025. She also loves all kinds of crafts, theatre, cinema, and her dance fitness class.

Julia Champion

Julia originally trained as an Occupational Therapist, working for many years in services for people who have a learning disability, in Oxfordshire; she gained an MSc during this period, in Applied Psychology (Learning Disability).

Julia worked for a short period as a training consultant, before returning to Cowbridge, where she grew up.  She worked for the Vale of Glamorgan Council as their Telecare Manager for many years, before joining the delightful With Music in Mind team.

Throughout all of Julia’s work and volunteering, she has endeavoured to make an impact on the quality of individuals’ lives, centred around supporting them to flourish and live a life that really matters to them, in all its facets, thus she brings that experience and value base with her.

Family is an important source of joy in Julia’s life, but she also enjoys reading, crafts, playing and listening to music and baking.

Meryn Williams

Meryn is from Pontyclun and was educated at Bryn Celynog Comprehensive School. She studied Music at University College Cardiff where she was awarded a Bachelor of Music Degree with Honours. After leaving full time education Meryn embarked on a career as a freelance Musical Director, Accompanist and Pianist.

Meryn has enjoyed a varied career, working as an accompanist at the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as working freelance with the ABC of Opera and directing the Sovereign Singers Chamber Choir/Bois y Bathdy. She is the Musical Director of Cor Y Bryn Ladies Choir based in Llantrisant.

Meryn enjoys all types of music making and in addition to the above also finds time to accompany instrumentalists and vocalists.

Melanie Williams

Melanie works full time as a civil servant where she leads a team of about 70 people. Outside of work she likes to challenge herself and give back to the community. As well as volunteering at With Music In Mind, she is also an assistant guide leader and a school governor. She loves the different perspectives these roles give her, and learns a lot from working with people she wouldn’t ordinarily meet. She finds her role at With Music in Mind very rewarding. Melanie also enjoys singing, reading, swimming, watching movies and baking. She has a black belt in taekwondo and is a qualified assistant taekwondo instructor.  

Dani Howell

Dani graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1997 and Bachelor of Philosophy in 2006. She thoroughly enjoyed her career teaching primary school and deaf children, and also enjoys the company of older citizens, so began volunteering with WMIM in 2022. Dani loves to participate with everyone in the groups, playing games, bingo, singing, and doing gentle exercise.

In her spare time Dani enjoys campervanning, cycling, and walking along the coast and in the countryside. She loves spending two mornings a week volunteering with the WMIM team and the people who come along to socialise and meet new friends. Dani says "it is really lovely to see groups of people happily chatting, laughing and being together."

Dr Sarah Miles

See above

Kate Whitestone

See above

Dr Terry Stuart

Terry is a husband, father of three sons and Welsh rugby supporter..... hence long term interest in stress management. GP, Post Grad teacher for Doctors in UHW, Director of TMPS LTD and member of the Professional Speaker Association.

Naomi Hill

Naomi is an experienced Physiotherapist who specialises in the care of older people with mental health conditions. Having originally graduated from Kings College London in 2001 she went on to complete an MSc in Ageing: Health and disease at Cardiff University in 2019. She is passionate about breaking down the barriers and stigmas of age and mental health in exercise.

Sarah Roberts

Sarah is an astronomer at Swansea University with a passion for outreach and education in science. After graduating from Cardiff University in 2001 with a BSc(Hons) in Physics with Astronomy, she then continued her studies and obtained a PhD in Astronomy in 2005. Originally from North Wales, Sarah has always loved music and singing, and joined Cavatina Singers in Penarth in 2001 and has sung with them ever since. Sarah feels the benefits of these weekly choir meetings in her own physical and mental health and so is a strong supporter of the aims of With Music In Mind.