We are a small charity run solely by a team of 30 volunteers. We are people from different walks of life who share a common vision for the CFPH's aim, values and services. Our volunteers come from Edinburgh, East Coast, Borders, Fife and Perth to support the CFPH's projects.

Our Background

Our charity was set up in 2003 and it grew from a small number of people who had the desire to help others in our community who were needing support and therapies but could not afford the full cost of a therapy session. Today we are a team of 30 volunteers and our therapists volunteers have a variety of background and experiences as holistic therapists.

In 2006 talks and the setting up of the Holistic Health Project began. The project was a call for the coming together of people in our community in alignment with co-founders's Claudia Goncalves and Mark Halliday's vision of phylanthropy and service. With time, more and more people became involved with the charity, with all willing to volunteer and support the work.

In 2012 we started the Woodland Project a project offering outdoors activities for individuals and families where children also join in the programme and spend quality time together with their family in nature.

What we do

1) Help people regain control of their own health and well-being thus moving towards better health.

2) Complement the support which orthodox medicine is already giving to individuals in our community.

3) Endeavour to prevent people from developing future mental health issues related to lack of support, lack of belonging and lack of expression.

4) Contribute to a stronger, more resilient and supportive community, where people have the potential to take more responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others. This is particularly seen where our team of volunteers deliver high quality services for our community.

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Who we are

Council of Elders: Alma Shearer and Stewart Keith

Co-founders & volunteers: Claudia Goncalves and Mark Halliday

Board of Trustees: Emily Boyd, Mark Halliday, Margot Daru-Elliot and Claudia Goncalves.

Day Supporter/receptionists volunteers: Tessa McKirdy (Mon, Tue), Trisha Young and Bob Young (Wed), Dorothy Forrest (Thu), Jude Warner (Fri).

Volunteer Therapists: Claudia Goncalves, Mags Higgins, Pamela Jo Proudfoot, Ann Fowler, Gaia Aire, Janine Polh, Bob Young, Trisha Young, Nikkie Haynes, Tessa McKirdy and Nicole Swierskoski.

Woodland volunteers: Adele Clark, Kate Hedges, Claudia Goncalves, Stewart Keith, Sally Rankin and Mags Higgins.

Newsletters and website volunteer: Claudia Goncalves

Library volunteer: Jude Warner

Induction Training volunteers: Claudia Goncalves and Tessa McKirdy

Support and Suppervision: Claudia Goncalves and Inez Patino

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About our Council of Elders

Alma Shearer: Age 73, Alma has been a volunteer and supporter of the Centre since its conception in 2003. Blind since the age of 7 yrs old, Alma is a great inspiration to us all. She is always present with a listening ear and certainly ready to remind us of unconditional love when we forget and stray from that path! It is a great honour and pleasure to have Alma part of our team. Alma has served as a CFPH Trustee for 9 years before becoming a Council elder.

Stewart Keith: A retired working man, Stuart Keith has a lengthy working/social involvement with youngsters and adults with learning disabilities. He is also involved in community and social inclusion concerns. Stuart has special interest in the field of mental health and well-being. Stewart has also served as a CFPH Trustee for 9 years before becoming a Council elder.

About our Board of Trustees

Mark Halliday (Chairperson). Co-founder of the CFPH, Mark is also one of the major financial donors for the Foundation. Mark brings to the Foundation over 25 years experience working with vulnerable adults in various roles as well as over 15 years experience as High School teacher. He is also co-founder and director of the Edinburgh Shamanic Centre. 

Claudia Goncalves (Treasurer) Claudia is co-founder of the CFPH and the visionary founder of the Holistic Community Health Project. With her work, Claudia also supports children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS in the poorest areas of her homeland Brazil. Claudia brings to the CFPH 20 years of experience working with communities at grass roots level as well holding executive responsibilities in various fields. She is also co-founder and director of the Edinburgh Shamanic Centre and co-founder and director of the charity Youth Vision.

Emily Boyd (Vice chair person). As a retired Health Consultant, Emily brings to the Foundation over 30 years of experience in the Holistic field. She also has a background and extensive experience working with disadvantaged communities in Developing Countries.  Her role at the CFPH is very much” hands on” in supporting the coordinators and the volunteers to fulfil their roles.

Margot Daru-Elliot (board member). Margot has been involved in the holistic movement for change for many years as a teacher, communicator and entrepreneur.She brings to the Foundation a life experience in the holistic field working with communities. Margot is also chairperson for the University of the Third Age and active member of the Theosophical Society as well as Wesses research group (WRG).

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