About Better Pathways

Creating commercial value through our enterprises to fund our social impact.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to help and support people with mental health challenges, learning difficulties and learning disabilities through broad-based vocational activities within our social enterprises so that they can build the confidence to begin their employment journey.

For any enquiries about Better Pathways, contact us

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Our Purpose

Through our social enterprises, we provide a pathway to a better life for those experiencing mental health difficulties.

This requires us to:

Our Vision and Values

Our vision is to increase the number of people able to live a happy and fulfilled life by being supported through our programmes.

  • Inclusivity
    We welcome all without prejudice or judgement
  • Tenacity
    We tirelessly strive to do our best
  • Empowerment
    We build confidence in people
  • Integrity
    We are kind, honest and fair
  • Partnership
    We work together to further our collective aims

For any enquiries about Better Pathways, contact us

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Our History

Better Pathways, formerly known as BITA Pathways, is a mental health charity and company limited by guarantee, incorporated on the 1st Feb 1963.

While our practices have modernised greatly since our establishment, our aim to support the progress and development of people with mental health needs and learning disabilities remains key.

Our origin was in the Industrial Therapy Movement; a movement starting in Bristol in the 1950s.

BITA, founded by Dr Norman Imlah, Medical Director of All Saints Hospital Birmingham, was the first to transfer the concept from hospitals and into the community to create real working environments and social inclusion. A car wash, followed by a factory unit were set up near Birmingham city centre, and after several moves the current Alcester Street site was opened in May 1973.

Better Pathways through the years

Meet our leadership team

Meet our Trustees

Janine Garvie-Cole

Trustees

Member of the Finance, Business Development, and Fundraising sub-committees, Janine become a Director in 2018.

Janine works in the Facilities Management Consultancy team at Arcadis; who are a global design & consultancy firm for natural and built assets, working across all phases of the asset lifecycle, and by background, professionally qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Janine leads the asset lifecycle service line, for the UK region and globally; providing business and technical advisory services to enable clients to make informed decisions for the efficient running and operation of their building, portfolio or estate – such as maintenance, compliance and asset lifecycle replacement.

“I am actively involved in the charitable sector and I passionately believe in giving something back and supporting my community where I can; and I also volunteer for a young peoples’ charity providing mentoring support for young girls. In my spare time I play hockey, enjoy fitness & running, travel and live music. I have embarked on numerous charitable fundraising events in recent years such as running The Great North run and Race for Life on multiple occasions and participating in the London Moon Walk marathon.

When I became aware of Better Pathways, and of the tremendous work it does, I wanted to be able to help in some way. I was thrilled to be able to join the board and to support this fantastic organisation, which makes a real difference to local people and their mental health”.

Chaitali Desai

Trustee

Chaitali is a solicitor at Weightmans LLP in the Local Government team in Birmingham and is keen to support Birmingham charities, and also sit as a trustee for Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau.

“I have spent the last 6 years dealing primarily with claims arising from child abuse, human rights and care home assaults against care workers. Although I defend these claims, it is has always been apparent to me that mental health concerns in some form or another lie at the root of many problems that escalate and manifest in a negative way. The importance of the work Better Pathways does in helping people with mental health conditions on their pathway to recovery resonates with me, as someone that witnesses what happens when people with such conditions do not get the help and support the need. Better Pathways actively contributes to improve the health and well-being of some our community’s most vulnerable people and I am proud to be part of such an organisation.”

Dr Martin Commander

Vice Chair

Martin has worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Birmingham for the last 25 years, specialising in psychiatric rehabilitation. Martin has also occupied senior research positions in both Birmingham and Warwick Universities, undertaking service evaluations into mental health and homelessness, ethnic inequalities, and in-patient and community rehabilitation. He is presently employed as a Clinical Advisor to Birmingham and Solihull CCG developing residential rehabilitation provision for local residents.

Aside from family, Martin’s time outside of work is largely consumed by football (he is a long supporter of Aston Villa!), music (both listening and performing), and gardening (including his efforts at his allotment).

Martin says, “I became a Trustee of Better Pathways as I am strongly convinced of the benefits that meaningful and rewarding activity, including work, have in promoting good mental health and in facilitating personal recovery. Levels of employment for those experiencing mental health problems are sadly very low and this is an area that deserves more attention. Better Pathways, with its long history in the city, is a key organisation assisting people with significant mental health problems to get into work. I am keen to support Better Pathways in continuing their work.”

David Tucker

Chairman

David is a non-executive director, providing strategic advice and support. He qualified as an accountant in 1991 and worked overseas in the late 1990s before returning to the UK to set-up his own advisory business in 2002. He is an active investor in a number of businesses. David has also undertaken a number of voluntary roles including chair of governors, charity work and chairman of a private members club and joined the board of Better Pathways in 2020.

Naseem Taswar

Service Delivery Manager

Naseem is an experienced Business Development Manager, Recruiter and Account Manager with twenty years’ experience of working in Operations and frontline delivery.

She has worked in training and recruitment within the third sector for the last ten years, leading to taking on the role as an IPS Employment Specialist where she used her experience to help build the holistic and wrap-around support service she was so passionate about. During her time in the IPS role, she built awareness of the need to take ownership of the client satisfaction process, and created a Client Forum to facilitate individuals to be the best they can be. This journey has led to her current post as Service Delivery Manager which encapsulates both her professional journey and personal aspiration to work for a mental health charity and to strive to make a difference.

In her spare time, Naseem is an avid walker and enjoys country walks, as well as cooking.

Sue Roberts

Chief Executive Officer

Sue comes to Better Pathways having recently moved into the charity sector following a significant career in the NHS. One of her first management roles was a Medical Records Officer at Coney Hill Hospital, a former Victorian county asylum for the mentally ill in Gloucester. Sue’s career progressed through the acute hospital sector, community-based specialist rehabilitation and learning disability services before taking on a Director of Commissioning role on the Board of Dudley Primary Care Trust. Sue then spent two years in a Regional Director role with St John Ambulance. She currently Chairs the Board of Trustees of Martineau Gardens in Edgbaston, confirming her desire to work with people whose values are rooted in community spirit, and in delivering services that enhance the health and wellbeing to those who need help the most.

Sue says of her appointment to Better Pathways, ‘I am thrilled to be at Better Pathways when the importance of good mental health and wellbeing is increasingly better understood. I enjoy working with the team here to continue the work of this fabulous charity. We will continue to strive to deliver the best experience and outcomes for our users and to promote their cause amongst commissioners and others who can influence how services are developed.’

Sue enjoys exploring the local canals on her bike and practicing yoga…in her sparse spare time.

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