ABOUT USACCEPT was founded in 2003, by Aidan & Frankie Lucas,
following a year’s voluntary work, developing a mental healthcare project, in Nigeria, West Africa. Job’s Well ( ACCEPT’s Community Wellbeing Garden ) was birthed in October 2015, following the deaths in that year of Robert Lucas & John Hall, the fathers of Aidan & Frankie. Both of these Dads had a big heart for people who were finding life difficult. The site is their legacy named after them; ‘Jo’ from John, ‘ob’ from Rob, with the belief that they are now both ‘well’ in heaven. The story of ‘Job’, from the Bible, is also about someone who, after going through much deep pain and loss, experienced restoration and ‘well’ being, which is the vision for those involved. |
Our ValuesACCEPT is based on Christian values, including:
“ in acceptance lies peace. “ ( Amy Carmichael, a missionary in India ) ACCEPT that we are all of significant worth and have unique gifts and abilities. ACCEPT that we were created for friendship, belonging and community. ACCEPT that we can grow and develop, even through difficult seasons in life ACCEPT that brokenness is our shared humanity, out of which beauty can emerge. ACCEPT that we are physical, productive, relational, emotional and spiritual beings ACCEPT that each of these domains of life affects and is affected by our mental health. |
Meet the Team
The ACCEPT team includes volunteers, staff and trustees who all contribute to the running of the charity. Our staff and volunteers keep our weekly activities in motion whilst our Trustees responsibilities include the charity running efficiently and keeping on track with plans.
Jan - VolunteerJan has a lifetime of experience in gardening, which began with being brought up on a farm. Due to ill health, she gave up her allotment and the following year joined the Job's Well Weekly Wellbeing Gardening Days, when they first began, at a time when she was socially isolated. Jan now brings her vast knowledge and experience, as a volunteer.
" It has been a tremendous privilege to be part of this project and I hope that I bring to it my love of gardening , of growing things, and a life long appreciation of the wonders of the natural world. This is indeed a wonderful space". |
John - VolunteerJohn left school at 15, joined a building firm as an apprentice carpenter and continued as a carpenter in the building trade for the next 53 years. So he has picked up a few building skills on the way, which he uses, along with his depth of wisdom, for many a development at Job's Well.
He has 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild so they take up most of his spare time, which he loves. He also enjoys reading and hosting family BBQs . |
Jackie - VolunteerJackie is retired after working 38 years in various finance rolls and computer implementation projects and is ACCEPT’s Finance Administrator.
Jackie’s interests are cooking, gardening, silversmithing, jewellery making, working with the Salvation Army, swimming, walking and travelling. |
Frankie - Groups Co-FacilitatorFrankie’s experience includes counselling, drug rehabilitation, developing a mental health project in West Africa and International Mission Team Member in theatre, mime, dance and singing. She co-facilitates, with Aidan, all of ACCEPT's groups.
Her interests are exploring, experiencing and sharing the many avenues of wellbeing, including breathing techniques, mindfulness, meditation and healthy nutrition. She believes that contentment in life is something to embrace and develop, to bring peace and fulfilment. She’s loves upcycling and fishing out a great bargain. |
Aidan - Founder & Mental Health LeadAidan’s experience includes being an NHS Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Counsellor & Funeral Celebrant and is responsible for the day to day running of ACCEPT. His journey into the caring profession followed the experience of surviving a critical head injury, in his late teens, which began a journey of ACCEPTance and faith.
He has two children and loves walking with his wife, cockerpoo and also enjoys writing songs. |
Jo - TrusteeJoanne, usually known as Jo, is the Chair of the Trustees. She has been an Occupational Therapist (OT), in the NHS, since 1999, working in the area of mental health for the vast majority of those years. More recently, in 2021, she has taken on a team lead role for a rapidly expanding OT team which has been exciting.
Jo has been married for 20 years and has 3 children, aged 18, 16 and 12. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, sharing food and hospitality , being outside in the great outdoors , walking , reading , travelling, to name a few. She also enjoys being involved with a church in Coventry called Jubilee. |
Chris - TrusteeChris' experience includes advising community groups in planning, evaluating their projects and applying for funding. He is passionate about using outdoor environments to bring people together to improve our understanding of each other and improve our physical and mental health. He enjoys cooking, gardening, walking and meeting new people.
Chris is able to bring to ACCEPT expertise in finance, funding and community development. |
Shaun - TrusteeShaun has been an electrician for almost 40 years now. Working both for himself and in factories with toxic cultures and demanding shift patterns, he knows how our mental health can be impacted.
Becoming a Christian 13 years ago gave him a new sense of purpose, knowledge and passion. He enjoys his self-employed work and, having picked up lots of skills over the years, is happy to share these for the benefit of others. Shaun loves nothing more than yapping over a cup of tea. |
If you'd like to support our work,
feel free to make a one off donation or to give regularly.
feel free to make a one off donation or to give regularly.
We use PAYPAL, as it is low costs for charities.