Exciting new leadership for social mobility charity WeMindTheGap

Social mobility charity WeMindTheGap will be welcoming Ali Wheeler as its new Chief Executive Officer this July. Ali joins the charity’s growing and powerful team from a very successful role within Cheshire West Integrated Care Partnership, where she has been leading an award-winning transformation health and care programme.

Over recent years WeMindTheGap has grown in size and confidence, and now offers not one but three distinct programmes that change futures: WeDiscover, a virtual programme for young people aged 16+, employment programme WeGrow for young people aged 18-25 and then WeBelong, its graduate programme that offering life-long membership and support from the WeMIndTheGap family. Having pivoted during the pandemic to reach out to young people isolated in their own homes the charity has proven its ability to dramatically change futures no matter what the circumstances of the young people they are working with. This fact, combined with on-going interest and support from national organisations such as The National Lottery Community Fund and the patronage of Sir John Timpson means that the charity is at an exciting stage of its journey and has real opportunities to impact significantly more lives every year.

Rachel Clacher CBE, Chair of WeMindTheGap says:

“We are delighted to welcome Ali to our wonderful team. Her passion for young people, leadership skills and experience in delivering large scale change are impressive indeed. We look forward to seeing all of those qualities in action as we grow and deliver more impact to more young people who deserve better. Diane Aplin – who set up the charity with me eight years ago – remains with us in the role of Chief Impact Officer. This means that we are lucky enough to have all of the care, love and learnings that have brought us to where we are today, while benefiting from exciting new leadership, energy and inspiration. We can’t wait for Ali to join us and to see where this new phase for the charity takes us all.”

As part of her current role within Cheshire West Integrated Care Partnership Ali created a collaborative team of over 250 members across the communities of Cheshire West, including the public, public services, local businesses and care organisations to influence how people manage their own health and care. That programme was recently recognised with a national award. Ali says:

“ The work of WeMindTheGap – its values, approach and impact on young people’s lives is incredible – and I am thrilled to be joining such an impactful and ambitious charity as Chief Executive Officer. Supporting young people to find and enjoy their best lives has always been a passion of mine. Having worked in the Public and Charity Sector for over 28 years, and in my volunteer role as Assistant District Commissioner (community impact) for the Scouts, I have often seen and been involved in the challenges that young people face. I am looking forward to combining everything I have learnt in my career to date with my passion for young people and the energy and experience of the team to make a real difference in the world’