About Us

We Are

Kaleidoscope Plus Group

At The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, our goal is to champion mental health and wellbeing, driving real change and providing crucial mental health support services to the community, wherever they are needed.

Urgent Help

1 in 6 people

1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.

Our Vision

Whether it’s group counselling for those bereaved by suicide, out-of-hours mental healthcare, or residential home support, our vision is: Improving emotional health. Transforming Lives.

Our Mission

Where everyone has access to the emotional wellbeing support they need to lead a healthy and rewarding life.

We are dedicated to promoting independence, supporting inclusion and ensuring community integration, whilst being innovative in our approach whilst maintaining integrity to our vision. We regularly hold events and campaigns to raise awareness for mental healthcare.

At #TeamKPG, we’re committed to using our voice and the voices of our dedicated ambassadors and partners to normalise self care, challenge stigmas, and promote a positive opinion of mental health and wellbeing.

We’re aware of the barriers that many groups face, and aim to make accessing support easier for men, BAME, and LGBTQ+ individuals

Our Services

To meet the needs of our community, we provide a diverse range of services:

* Residential and Independent Living services
* 24-hour text crisis support
* Suicide Prevention Services
* Bereavement Support
* Counselling in the Community
* Mental Health Services for Children
* Community Support
* Activity Groups aimed at promoting inclusion, support, recovery, wellness and self-care

A Bit About Us

Established in 1973 in Sandwell, we have almost five decades of experience in providing mental health support to thousands of people across the UK. Our dedicated staff are constantly striving to support those who need our help with a range of mental health services.

In 2013, as part of a drive to increase the reach and diversity of our support services, we rebranded as The Kaleidoscope Plus Group. We are constantly striving to provide a holistic approach to mental health services, ensuring support reaches those who need it most, no matter who or where they are.

Contact Us

We Are

#TeamKPG

CEO Monica Shafaq has been in post since 2010. Within this role Monica advocates the importance of speaking up to help tackle the stigma that surrounds mental health and works with the wider KPG Team to ensure our services are accessible and inclusive of everyone who needs them.

Our award-winning staff, directors, and volunteers are passionate about what they do. We are dedicated to ensuring no one falls through the gaps, supporting national mental health services with diverse, inclusive and high-quality support.

Our

Senior Leadership

Team

Monica

Shafaq

Chief Executive Officer

Monica has been involved with the charity sector for a number of years and has been the CEO of since 2010. Under her leadership, KPG has been awarded a place on the ‘Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For’ every year since 2015.
Read More

Faye

Brecknock

Head of Operations

Faye has over 15 years experience working in housing, education, health and social care. Faye has the knowledge and experience to manage operations and develop innovative services, while remaining focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the people in our communities.
Read More

Alison

Francis

Director of Finance and Resources

Alison Francis joined KPG in October 2019. As Director of Finance & Resources she is responsible for leading on Finance, Facilities, Risk and Governance.
Read More

Laura

Ibbotson

Head of People and Culture

Laura joined KPG in 2023 with over 20 years of experience in HR and has a proven track record in both unionised and non-unionsised environments.
Read More

We are #TeamKPG, and our aim is to create a brighter future for everyone, together.

Spreading the Word

We wouldn’t be able to help as many people as we do without the help of our incredible brand ambassadors. They speak openly about mental health and help #TeamKPG reach people all across the UK.

Thank You!

Brand Ambassadors

Hover over each of our brand ambassadors to find out more about them.

Will Mellor

Will Mellor is an English actor best known for playing Gaz Wilkinson in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and has also had starring roles in Hollyoaks, Line of Duty, Casualty, No Offence and White Van Man.

He also takes part in a popular video podcast with his fellow ambassador and Two Pints cast mate, Ralf Little, another KPG ambassador.

Paul Chuckle

Paul Chuckle is an actor and writer, best known for starring in ChuckleVision with his late brother Barry. They also collaborated with UK rapper Tinchy Stryder to release a charity single in 2014. Paul is a huge advocate for mental health and opening up about how you feel, especially after the loss of his beloved brother, Barry. Paul has appeared in a number of quiz shows for charity, including Pointless Celebrities, Tenable All Stars and Celebrity Mastermind.

Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson enjoyed a distinguished football career and played more than 550 games, which included memorable spells at Birmingham City, Notts County and Derby County. Michael is a Jamaican international and played 13 times for the national team. Following his retirement, Michael had a spell as manager of Notts County and is currently an Ambassador for Derby County.

Romaine Sawyers

Romaine Sawyers is a professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Cardiff City Football Club. He had brief spells on loan at Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall and was in League One’s PFA Team of the Year for his performances in 2015–16. He served as Brentford's club captain in 2016 before he returned to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee in July 2019. Romaine is also an ambassador for Kick It Out.

Adil Ray OBE

Star and creator of Citizen Khan, Adil has received five RTS Awards, including Best Comedy & Best Comedy Performance. He's won the Asian Media Personality of The Year Award, In 2020, appeared in his first feature film, Blithe Spirit alongside Dame Judi Dench and starred in award-winning 'Ackley Bridge'. Adil has presented BBC1’s Have I Got News For You, and currently presents Good Morning Britain and the quiz show Lingo, the most successful launch of a daytime show in 19 years. In 2016, Adil was awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to media & broadcasting. In 2021, assisted by Debbie Manners, Adil launched his production company: Cornered Tiger. Rustie was born in Portland, Jamaica, in 1953 but moved to Birmingham with her family as a child.

Matt Murray

Matt Murray is a familiar face to football fans both from his time in goal for Wolves and through his distinguished broadcasting career with Sky Sports. He progressed through the Wolves academy to sign for the club in 1998. The five-year contract he was given aged 17, is the longest in the club’s history for an academy graduate. After 100 career appearances for Wolves, He can now often be seen live on Sky commentating and giving his analysis on games.

Jonathon Trace

Jonathon Trace is a versatile producer, director and presenter with over 25 years’ experience in producing high quality video content and broadcast documentaries for the biggest brands including Amazon, Compass, DHL and of course The Kaleidoscope Plus Group. He has also won a number of national and international awards, including Gold at the New York International Film and Television Festival. He is a keen supporter of the charity and is the compare of our annual Charity Gala Ball.

Frank Sinclair

Frank Sinclair is a former professional footballer. With 756 league and cup appearances, he has played for Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Chelsea and more. He was called up to represent Jamaica at the 1998 CONCAF Gold Cup and played five games with the team finishing in fourth place. He was made player-manager at Colwyn Bay in 2013 and was Hednesford Town manager between 2015 & 16 Frank is a freelance TV and radio pundit for Chelsea TV, Sky Sports, BT Sport and TalkSport.

Ralf
Little

Ralf Little is an English actor, writer, presenter, narrator and former semi-professional footballer. He is best known for playing Antony Royle in The Royle Family, DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise and Jonny Keogh in the first six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Ralf also has a podcast with fellow KPG ambassador and Two Pints cast mate, Will Mellor.

Drewe Broughton

Drewe's football career of 17 years and 22 clubs, started at Norwich City and included successful spells with Peterborough United, Rotherham United, Mk Dons and Kidderminster Harriers. He made over 540 senior appearances, scoring 116 goals. However, he ended up in the Sporting Chance Rehabilitation Clinic for addiction and emotional issues after retiring. Today his past experiences help him nurture and guide other players including internationals and Premier League stars.

John Bray

John Bray is BBC West Midlands Assistant Editor, based in Birmingham. He has also worked on programmes including Inside Out, Midlands Today and Late Kick Off. John, who lives in Shropshire, became an ambassador for KPG after making a film about our 12 signs for promoting happiness and well-being at Dudley Port station. He is passionate about promoting mental health and wellbeing services for those who need them.

James Chambers

James Chambers is a retired professional footballer with a career spanning 16 years and over 400 senior games, with West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Leicester City and Walsall. Since his retirement, James has built up his business called ‘My Farewell,’ which offers people the chance to create video messages to be passed on to their loved ones at a time of their choosing, whether that’s now, or when they have passed away. James is also a keen advocate for a host of local charities across the West Midlands.

Brendan Kiernan

Brendan Kiernan is a professional footballer with more than 15 years playing experience in the industry. His footballing journey started at Fulham FC followed by later signing for Crystal Palace FC at age 15. He is a strong mental health advocate and aims to create safe spaces to tackle mental health challenges, build emotional resilience and improve self-care. At age 18 he was part of a historic squad which saw AFC Wimbledon successfully promoted to the football league for the first time in the club’s history.

Donervon Daniels

Donervon Daniels is a professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Walsall Football Club, where he is also club captain. Daniels who started his career at West Bromwich Albion has since found a new home in Walsall FC, following spells at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool.

Rodney Hinds

As well as his role as sports editor at the Voice Media Group, Britain’s longest running, and only Black newspaper, Rodney is also well known for being the co-founder of the Football Black List. Founded in 2008 the Football Black List aims to help shine a light on the black professionals working in the industry and to inspire the next generation of leaders in sport.

We're always with you

Follow us on social media for daily mental health advice, news on our latest fundraisers and ways you can make a difference in everyday life
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

How Did We Do?

Click below to download our annual report for 2021 and learn about the ways we’ve helped thousands of people with their mental health this year.

Annual Report 2021
Annual Report 2022

Non Executive Directors

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group is governed by our experienced Board of Non-Executive Directors who generously offer their time free of charge.

The Board has overall responsibility for all KPG activities and plays a vital role in ensuring the charity is run in the interests of the people we exist to serve.

Our Non-Executive Directors bring a wealth of experience, expertise, skills, and passion to the organisation to help ensure we continue to deliver high quality mental health and wellbeing services to people across the communities we serve.

Neil Male

Chairman

Over 14 years, CEO Neil Male has led GMS to become a national leading security specialist, with a turnover of £14m and over 500 employees. He has been named a 'Transformational Leader' at the West Midlands Leadership Awards, and one of Grant Thornton’s 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy. Neil helps Kaleidoscope achieve its goals through his extensive commercial experience and network of contacts.

Douglas Brown

Non-Executive Director

Douglas Brown has extensive experience in marketing and communications having worked for Brammer UK and now MSC Industrial Supply Co as Head of Marketing. Outside of work Douglas is an avid rock climber and runner, big foodie and a lover of films. Before working in marketing, he had worked as an actor and in farming. Douglas is looking forward to applying what he knows to Kaleidoscope to make a positive change to people’s lives.

Anu Gibson

Non-Executive Director

Anu has spent over 20 years helping organisations build and deliver strategies to drive business success. Anu is passionate about being part of the KPG team to ensure that the critical service the charity provides to so many people can continue to deliver and grow to its full potential now and ongoing. Anu is also a trustee for Perry Hall Multi Academy Trust and is a fan of the physical and mental health benefits of Yoga as a hobby.

Jayne Holliday

Non-Executive Director

Jayne is a Legal Director in the Employment team at Higgs LLP. Boasting almost 30 years’ experience in advising clients, mainly employers, on the intricacies of employment law and HR best practice. Jayne started her career as an apprentice office junior and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive through a vocational route. She is a huge advocate of career development through apprenticeship and vocational studies and believes that anyone can achieve their career aims with the right opportunities and support.

David Rogers

Deputy Chair

A strategic business leader with 15 years in Hospitality, David has developed a people-focused passion for wellbeing and personal development. He advises schools & students on career development strategies and is a non-executive director at GMS Group and Warrens Hall Riding School. In 2021, he published his book ‘Fuelled, Fit and Fired Up’ which shares techniques that help to enhance your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Michael Mclean

Non-Executive Director

Birmingham bred and proud, Michael is excited about joining the KPG Board. His background in Management and Marketing in the film, music and leisure industry means he is someone who believes in the strength of people and the difference they can make to others. A huge advocate of great stories, whether they be on the screen, page, or stage, his other passion is sport. Football, Boxing, Formula One, he loves a good contest.

Lisa Nicholson

Non-Executive Director

As Commercial Director for a National Security Specialist, GMS Group Lisa is responsible for delivery of the commercial strategy, including winning and negotiating new contracts, developing partnerships, working alongside the team, overseeing all aspects of Marketing and External Communications. Lisa is looking forward to using her solid solid understanding of different business sectors and combining her commercial skills and networking capacity to help KPG grow.

Faye Hingley

Non-Executive Director

Faye is a registered Educational and Child Psychologist having completed her professional doctorate. She works for a local authority educational psychology service and previously worked for KPG as part of the Talking Therapies Service as a Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. She wanted to stay connected with KPG after she left to undertake her doctorate, and joined the board of trustees in 2017.

Darren Harris

Non-Executive Director

Darren is an expert in overcoming adversity, blending lived experience, story-telling and psychological research. He’s the founder of Unblind Your Mind, a transformational programme of speaking, coaching and masterclasses. Darren is a dual Paralympian, competing in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012; and England’s most capped blind footballer, playing 157 times for his country.

Callum Russell

Treasurer

An accountant with 10 years’ experience, currently working as an Audit and Accounts senior at Blackthorns Chartered accountants. Callum is experienced in all areas of accountancy. He has worked with start-ups to mature businesses through growth and cash flow planning and can help find the right solution for his clients’ needs. Callum is passionate about helping the Kaleidoscope Plus Group contributing to the charity's sustainable growth and impact in order to help more people in the future.