Sonja Chilvers is the Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk and Waveney Mind, which is celebrating 60 years of supporting mental health in our community. Folk Features meets her.
This year marks a major milestone for Norfolk and Waveney Mind, as it celebrates six decades of supporting mental health in the community. From the creation of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for Mental Health in 1966, to the merger of three local Minds in 2019, Norfolk and Waveney Mind has a rich history spanning the last 60 years of providing vital mental health support to the people who need it across the county. Sonja Chilvers, CEO since April 2025, had been involved with the charity for a fair share of those years.
“I started my journey 23-plus years ago, at Norwich Mind as it was at the time, and I was a cleaner and a bank support worker in our residential service,” she recalls. “I just fell in love with being able to make a difference.” Sonja has worked her way up the organisation and a year after the 2019 merger of three local Minds (Norwich & Central Norfolk, Great Yarmouth & Waveney, West Norfolk) and the adoption of the new name Norfolk & Waveney Mind, Sonja was appointed as Director of Operations. In April of last year, she was appointed CEO. “It was such a proud moment as I had achieved it by going from being on the frontline to running the operations.”
Nowadays, Norfolk and Waveney Mind offers a wide range of services, including 1:1 talking therapies, REST drop-in hubs (including in Norwich, Aylsham, King’s Lynn and Thetford), gardening projects, access to employment services, residential care and support programmes. And the charity recently opened pop-up hubs for people in the east of county to support communities affected by the closure of the Access Community Trust. “For us as a charity, it’s important to understand where the gaps are and how we can bridge them.” The very latest news is that a REST hub is soon to open in Gorleston.
The organisation is the largest mental health charity in Norfolk and Waveney. In 2025, it held more than 79,000 appointments; the Enhanced Recovery Workers saved more than 29,000 GP appointments; it received more than 21,000 referrals; the Telephone Support Line team answered 10,100 phone calls; it supported 257 people with getting into employments; had 312 referrals to the short stay recovery houses; and supported 558 people with complex emotional needs and personality disorders.
Sonja is heading up the charity as it marks a major milestone. “This year is about absolutely about celebrating 60 years, but it is also about continuing to break down stigma surrounding mental health support.
“We are running our 60 for 60 campaign; encouraging people to fundraise by doing 60 their way. whether it’s 60 minutes, raising £60 raised, or doing 60 things. Our marketing team, for example, will be walking Wherryman’s Way in one day, this September.”
“And we’ve got some big events coming up: we’ve got our first ever Colour Run on Sunday at Holkham Hall; we’re hosting a quiz in August to mark our anniversary; there’s a skydive in September [Sonja and one of her sons took part last year, despite her fear of flying]; and a Night Walk on Do Blue – World Mental Health Day – the first walk was last year and it was amazing.”
Sonja makes the point: “Although we are part of the Mind federation, we are an independent and self-funded charity and all the money that is raised for us stays right here in Norfolk and Waveney, supporting our local communities.”
So, what does the former cleaner say to new staff members joining Norfolk and Waveney Mind? “We had 15 new starters doing an induction the other day and one lady said that she was starting as a cleaner. I said, ‘do you know what? That’s where I started my journey. If you’ve got passion, you can achieve anything’. I am just so proud to be Chief Executive of this organisation, and I’m so passionate to truly make a difference to our communities.”
Norfolk and Waveney Mind celebrates 60 years this year. Forthcoming events include: 60th Summer Quiz on the 14th August (6:30-10:30pm) – Carrow House; Skydive on 20th September – Beccles Airfield; Do Blue – World Mental Health Day on 10th October; Night Walk, also on 10th October – Norwich City Centre; and Mental Elf. Visit events. For the 60 for 60 campaign, visit 60 Years of Support. To find out more about Norfolk and Waveney Mind, and the support that is available, visit norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk.
Featured image of Sonja Chilvers – Folk Features
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