The team consists of:
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Sharon Bull
Sharon is more than a founder—she’s a dynamic speaker, the celebrated author of Thirty Years in Silence, and the creator of the highly praised The Power of YOU Wellbeing and Empowerment Workshop. Passionate about making a difference, she brings her lived experiences with mental health challenges—including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, and debt—into the light to inspire and support others. Her belief in the transformative power of shared stories forms the heart of everything she does, driving the mission of the Compassionate Voices Community.
She also brings a wealth of expertise in sales and marketing, drawing from her extensive experience in distribution, marketing, and working with industry-leading brands. Starting with her role at a Chesterfield glassware decorating and packaging company, Sharon quickly advanced her career by joining a national marketing company. There, she received invaluable sales and management training from Mars Confectionery, setting the stage for her remarkable journey in sales. Known for her exceptional networking skills, Sharon was profoundly influenced by board member Peter Laughton, and she continues to share his insightful guidelines with others. Her passion for meeting new people has not only fuelled her success but also helped her forge lasting friendships with her customers. When you work with Sharon, you gain a dedicated professional and a trusted friend.
Sharon is also a passionate fundraiser, continuing her father’s legacy after her serious mental breakdown. Her initial event in 1999, in collaboration with the lead singer of Squeeze, raised over £1,000 for the NSPCC. Following her father’s passing in 2023, Sharon stepped up her efforts, organising golf days and a captivating cabaret show at the Winding Wheel. Her dedication and hard work resulted in raising an impressive £20,000 for the NSPCC.
A devoted animal lover and advocate, Sharon embraced a vegan lifestyle in 2014. She champions animal welfare, with a particular fondness for the charity Animals Asia.
DIRECTOR
Julie Waring
Meet Julie—The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Designs
With over 30 years of experience in agencies, repro houses, and design studios across the East Midlands, Julie has mastered the art of design. As one of the founding partners of Tribe Design, Julie gained invaluable insights while leading a team of talented creatives. However, her true passion lies in immersing herself in the heart of design projects. Her journey has been enriched by collaborating with extraordinary individuals from diverse sectors—ranging from large corporations and public sectors to SMEs and charities, covering B2B, B2C, and FMCG.
For Julie, being a graphic designer is a lifelong adventure of creativity and learning. She thrives on diving into brands, uncovering their unique personas, and celebrating the individuality that makes each one shine. Her projects have led her to fascinating discoveries, from blending teas and crafting chocolates to promoting biodiversity and raising awareness for causes close to her heart, such as mental health, well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Family is the cornerstone of Julie’s life, which also includes her loyal canine companion, who keeps her company in her home studio. Julie’s passion for creativity runs deep and can be seen in her eclectic Pinterest boards overflowing with inspiration from history, art, science, engineering, and nature. While her influences are vast, she’s forever in awe of simple, impeccably executed design.
The story wouldn’t be complete without her connection with Sharon. In the summer of 2019, Julie and Sharon joined forces and worked closely through the challenges of Covid. Julie instantly resonated with Sharon’s mission, and since then, she has been the creative force behind all of the organization’s stunning design work.
DIRECTOR
Caron’s journey of voluntary work began in her teens, focusing on supporting young people. At just 21, she organised a successful exhibition in Derby to raise funds for the Samaritans, continuing it for five years. Her passion for making a difference led her to volunteer at Derby Rape Crisis in 1992, where she trained as a counsellor and served as the volunteer Coordinator for a decade.
In addition to her voluntary efforts, Caron is a qualified adult Tutor and Assessor. She has written courses on supporting sexual assault victims, trained creche workers for adult learning centres, and worked in adult education, earning both a PGCE and an NLP coach qualification. For eight years, Caron was the Development Manager at Derby Mind.
Currently, Caron is a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor. She runs her own courses and works as an Associate Trainer for MHFA England and the British Safety Council. Caron delivers various wellbeing and empowerment sessions both online and face-to-face for Compassionate Voices, including Face Yoga, EFT (tapping for health), and seated exercise.
Caron first met Sharon in 2014 at a mental health awareness event she arranged at Chesterfield Football Club. She asked Sharon to be the key speaker at the event, which attracted eighty attendees and was a great success. They rekindled their friendship during the Covid pandemic when Caron spotted The Power of YOU Workshop being advertised on social media.
We are incredibly proud to have Caron as part of our team, bringing her wealth of experience and dedication to mental health advocacy.