The Wellbeing Steering Group

Group Chair 

The Right Reverend Lynne Cullens,
the Bishop of Barking 

The Wellbeing Steering Group is chaired by Bishop Lynne who was herself previously the Deputy CEO of a mental health charity.

Wellbeing lead  

Revd Jill Mowbray

Jill is the Wellbeing Lead for the Diocese of Chelmsford. She has been ordained 21 years, and was previously CMD Adviser in the Diocese after being a curate and a vicar in London Diocese. Before ordination Jill worked in secondary education in the London Boroughs of Hendon and Hackney, taught English to refugees and asylum seekers, was a Tutor-Counsellor with the Open University, and a researcher on Gender and Education. Jill led on Lay Ministry in the London Diocese with a particular focus on the east London boroughs and developing diverse lay leaders. In her own recent life Jill has had to deal with the effects of a sudden facial illness.

Group Members 

Karen Bates, LLM

Karen is an LLM serving in Canvey Island, a church that she has attended for a number of years. She trained for three years at St Mellitus, finishing one year ago this September. Karen is in full time employment as the Director of Operations at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Wellbeing is within her remit for a wide-range of staff - as is inclusion, diversity, generating income, managing spend, people management, strategic direction and operational delivery of services.

Revd Mark Payne

Mark has been ordained for five years and is a Team Vicar in Halstead Area Team.  Prior to being ordained Mark ran the charitable wing of a children and family organisation on the Isle of Man, where wellbeing was a significant focus in the work. During this time he was also a qualified Executive Coach, coaching senior leaders throughout the voluntary, public and private sector. Mark has continued coaching in Chelmsford Diocese.

Revd Canon Jane Richards

Jane serves as the Vicar of St Andrew and Holy Cross, Basildon and is also Area Dean for the Basildon Deanery. She trained for ordination with St Mellitus College and served her Title post in the benefice of South Woodham Ferrers, Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre. Jane has also worked as a healthcare chaplain at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford and prior to ordination worked for many years as a Public Health Specialist for the NHS and Local Authority. Jane serves as the Chair of the House of Clergy for Chelmsford Diocese and is a trustee for two voluntary sector organisations which focus on health and wellbeing. 

Revd Eileen Rose

Eileen is a self-supporting Priest serving at Emmanuel Church Leyton where she has been attending for nearly thirty years. She recently started volunteering part time as a Day Chaplain at Chelmsford Cathedral. Eileen is a registered Mentor for those pursuing ordination and part of the Chelmsford Diocese Women's Ministry Team. Eileen’s professional background is in mental health and wellbeing and she is currently employed as a Psychotherapist at Kings College London University where she has worked for twenty years. Eileen supports young people and adults whose psychological and wellbeing issues are impacting their studies and/or life experiences.

Steve Snooks, LLM, MBBS, MD, FRCS, LLB (Hons), Bar

Steve works as an LLM in the Epping District Team of churches, having trained at St. Mellitus and becoming licensed in 2018. He has recently retired from his work as an oncological surgeon for 30 years in East London. Steve did return to the NHS in the Covid Pandemic to help assess patients face to face for 15 months. For the past year, he has, with help, commenced a regular painting group at St. John’s to help people with mental health issues and others with serious physical conditions.