Meet The Team
Leadership Team
Adele Pacini
Founder & CEO
I am a Clinical Psychologist and registered Mindfulness Teacher. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge. Needless to say, I have spent far too much time studying psychology! For many years, spending all this time studying felt very indulgent, but since founding The Mindful Life Group I am relieved to say that I do use most of the information and skills from my degrees. One area I have always been passionate about is the bridge between research and practice - there is some fantastic research carried out in our universities, and too often the findings are forgotten or lost in translation. At The Mindful Life Group, I am proud that we bridge that gap each time we are asked to develop a new programme, either by participants or our commissioners. Careful evaluation means that we know how and why a programme is working (or if parts of it need to be changed), and I value being able to stay in conversation with participants, using their feedback to shape and refine what we offer.
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Annabel Stickland
Director
I previously worked as a Chartered Accountant before realising my true interest lay in understanding people - how we think, feel, and behave. This led me to complete a psychology degree, graduating with a First Class Honours in 2020. During the pandemic, I began working with Adele, supporting psychological research and co-facilitating mindfulness courses for older adults during lockdown. Hearing how these courses helped participants cope and connect during such an uncertain time had a lasting impact on me. As the organisation grew, my role evolved into broader management and strategic responsibilities. I now work as a Director, overseeing volunteers and placement students, supporting course delivery, and helping shape the organisation’s development through close collaboration with our advisory panel. I value working within a team that consistently puts the people we support at the heart of everything we do.
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Gemma Hawkins
Director
I joined Adele and Annabel as a volunteer during the final year of my psychology degree as a mature student and continued supporting the organisation after graduating with a First Class Honours in 2022. Over time, my role has grown into a Director position, covering programme delivery, evaluation, communications, design, and the systems that keep everything running smoothly. I particularly enjoy the creative side of my role and care deeply about how our programmes are experienced, focusing on the small details that make them clear, supportive, and accessible. As the organisation has grown, so too has my responsibility in shaping how we work behind the scenes - strengthening processes, supporting our team, and ensuring our programmes remain thoughtful, consistent, and sustainable. I value work that blends structure with creativity, and I’m proud to contribute to a service that prioritises both psychological integrity and genuine human connection.
Mindfulness Teachers and Therapists
Christoph Speissens
BAMBA-Registered Mindfulness Teacher
Christoph completed an MA in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Approaches at Bangor University’s Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice. He is a BAMBA-registered Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR) and Founder of The Manchester Mindfulness Festival. He leads the LGBTQIA+ Mindfulness sessions for The Mindfulness Network and lives with his husband in Sale, Manchester. Christoph helps us to deliver our courses for older adult carers.
Jane Anderson
BAMBA-Registered Mindfulness Teacher
After several years working as a corporate change expert, supporting people to adapt to changing circumstances both professionally and personally, she now uses these skills to help people integrate mindfulness into their daily lives. Jane is particularly passionate about supporting people in mid-life and beyond. Jane helps us to deliver our mindfulness courses for older adult carers. You can find out more about Jane here: https://mybeingmatters.co.uk
Ruth McDonald
BAMBA-Registered Mindfulness Teacher
Ruth recently graduated with a Distinction in an MSc in Mindfulness Based Approaches at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University. Ruth is passionate about the transformative potential of mindfulness and how it can support us in daily life. Ruth helps to deliver our Mindfulness for Parents who Care course. You can find out more about Ruth on her website: www.mindfulbreathingspace.com
Michelle Webster
CBT Therapist
Michelle is the Clinical Lead at Feel Well Therapy, with over 30 years’ experience in mental health as an accredited CBT and EMDR Therapist, and Occupational Therapist. She supports adults struggling with burnout, anxiety, depression, and the pressures of everyday life, offering a steady, grounded space both in-person and online. Michelle helps us to deliver our Better Sleep Program for Carers.
Clinical Psychologists in Training
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Norgenta Lata
Genta is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist and doctorate student at the University of Hertfordshire with an interest in trauma. She is passionate about the impact of sleep on the brain and will be delivering our CBT for insomnia sessions.
Volunteers
Aimee Bailey
Aimee is a final year psychology student with interests in clinical and neuropsychology. She helps us with our qualitative data analysis and is passionate about working with older people.
Placement Students
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Honey McLaughlin
Undergraduate Student at University of Bath
Honey has an interest in cognitive neuroscience, specifically neurodegenerative diseases. She is passionate about helping older adults and assists us with quantitative data analysis and course delivery.
Claire Taylor
Undergraduate Student at University of Bath
Claire is passionate about supporting people at all stages of life, and is especially interested in working with older adults. Claire values mindfulness for its ability to help people manage stress, stay present, and build resilience. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and hopes to integrate this approach into her future practice.
Emily Rogers
Undergraduate Student at University of Exeter
Emily is currently with us for her placement year. She is passionate about supporting former carers and older adults in reconnecting with themselves and discovering a renewed sense of purpose through mindfulness. Emily hopes to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, with a particular interest in promoting mental wellbeing in later life.
Interns
Melissa Matos
Open University User Experience Design Intern
Melissa is a sociology graduate with academic and professional experience in UX research and design. She enjoys designing products which improve our daily lives and is hoping to further pursue a career in this field.