Our team

The heart of Windmills is a close-knit team of experienced, passionate and open-minded professionals led by Dr Peter Hawkins and Helen Wakefield.


Dr Peter Hawkins
Co-Founder

30 years expertise in social action, personal development and growth including advisory work for DfE Ministers, publication of seven books, international speaking from Harvard to Cape Town Universities, as well as Chair of Governors at a Toxteth based SEN School and volunteer at The Thursday Club, a social group for adults with learning difficulties, for the past 33 years.

Helen Wakefield
Co-Founder

30 years corporate, community, and personal development related experience, in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Responsible for developing 90% of the Windmills Portfolio and created new partnerships supporting over 70 community and voluntary groups, schools, FE colleges, Universities and blue-chip employers to utilise Windmill’s materials. Committed to maximising personal potential in others and has volunteered since 2008 as a Childline counsellor mentoring and training new volunteers and supporting children and young people in need.

Suzanne Sweeney 
Project & Development Co-ordinator

23 years project management experience, specialising in the health and wellbeing of young people and the wider mental health agenda.

Lead and managed the successful SMILE Challenge test and pilot project at the heart of the Windmills Foundation. Committed to a volunteering role working with children and young people over many years.

Helen Hawkins
Project & Development Co-ordinator 

A qualified Careers Advisor with over 25 years of educational, community and commercial experience.

Specialist expertise in mentoring and supporting marginalised young people who have dis-engaged with the education process including Looked After Children, Care Leavers, children with mental health issues, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Jason Powell
Graphic Designer & Developer

30+ years of creative and innovative graphic design industry expertise has helped Windmills develop the unique look and feel of its portfolio.

Initially supporting the team as the Creative Director of Alexander MacGregor Ltd and then on a consultancy basis as part of the wider team supporting Windmills. Committed to ensuring the highest visually creative standards are developed and utilised throughout the Windmills brand and its full portfolio of printed and online materials. 

Our Trustees

Tim Molton 

An experienced Chief Executive Officer with over 35 years’ experience in the private, public, and charitable sector.  For the last 19 years, has overseen the delivery of a major urban regeneration programme in the Knowsley area of Merseyside, including commissioning capital and revenue projects in Housing, Health, Economy, Education, Crime/Community Safety, Youth and Community.  Worked in partnership with local, regional, and national statutory agencies to achieve programme aims via a community led governance system. 

Currently Chair of Governors at a Knowsley primary school, which has worked successfully with Windmills for several years on a variety of its programmes working alongside the local community.  An experienced foster carer for the last 10 years, committed to developing the potential of others through access to grounded programmes and networks

Allison Lewis

25 years public sector working in community sports development. Having completed a Sports Science degree at Liverpool John Moores University, Allison’s roles have focussed on using the power of sport and physical activity to engage and develop local communities. Managing externally funded projects and teams to provide opportunities for a wide range of community groups across all age groups from youth to older people.  

A school Governor for 7 years and held the position of Chair of Governors, lead Governor for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Safeguarding.  Committed to the development of tennis and has been part of the committee of her own local tennis club for 20 years holding the position of Chairperson for the last 12 years. With a strong sense of social justice, Allison is passionate about supporting projects that empower people to reach their full potential in life.  

Phil Wakefield

40 years career within the Construction industry within the private sector in various senior management/executive positions with responsibility for full national business performance, both operationally and financially. Been extensively involved in people and career development support, a Values Champion, sustainability delivery within the community, member of BITC & Trustee of corporate pension scheme.

Focus now is on providing consultancy services to support local developers and their teams within the Northwest via own business. Became a Trustee of the Windmills Foundation from its formation in May 2011 and is a keen supporter of young people enabling them to develop their true potential in an ever-challenging environment. Loves spending time with the family, cycling, keeping fit and walking the beautiful countryside.

Catrin Appleton

Fifteen years experience working with young people, ages 6 to 18 years, in a volunteer capacity with The Scout Association. Planning and developing of engaging and exciting activities and resources to be used to deliver a varied program to young people centred around personal development and the outdoors. Five years experience teaching in formal education settings within mainstream further education and specialist further education.

Having taken an interest in special educational needs and undertaking additional qualifications in understanding Autism and supporting mental health, this has created the opportunity to work with learners aged 16 plus with a range of complex and varying needs. With a keen interest in animals and  holding formal qualifications, alongside volunteering and teaching, this has provided the opportunity to specialise in teaching Animal Care and Equine studies, delivering a very different and exciting curriculum to young people.

Anna Sharples

Specialist experience in the care system and passionate about mentoring young people. 

Participated in the first Windmills Foundation GROWTH programme which has led to the significant development of increased resilience, positive wellbeing and life skills. Successfully blending working, learning, playing and giving by volunteering in Uganda, acting as a role model for young people with challenging behaviours and raising the bar academically. Long term vision is to use unique life experience to mentor a future generation of active citizens who take responsibility for their own futures.