Luminus is a Surrey based, independent, community interest company which exists to empower people to have their voices heard. We are an enterprise driven by social value, that invests in the local community. We help organisations provide equity of access and the best services possible, through the inclusive involvement of local people.
Our CIC was originally established in 2013 to deliver the Healthwatch Surrey service and ensure the voices of all users of NHS and social care services are heard. We have since built on our expertise and experience and Luminus has grown to shine a light on the experiences of carers, young carers, those who are affected by substance use, and people most at risk of health and care inequalities. We achieve this through bespoke projects, co-design, contracts, mentoring, research, and training.
To find out more about the areas we are working in, please visit Our work page.
We work tirelessly to find, facilitate and gather insight from diverse communities. We analyse what people tell us to present themed findings, allowing service development, and facilitate solutions through co-design. This is supported by service excellence and independent evaluation. Using this approach, we make recommendations to implement change.
Challenging assumptions, we root our work in what really matters to people, especially those who may find it harder to access services.
Acting on what we hear we are tenacious in our desire to inform and influence change. We are inquisitive, listening with compassion and caring about the depth and complexity of people’s lives. We have integrity, people trust our balanced and objective viewpoint. Being people focussed, we believe services work best when they are built on a robust and inclusive partnership with people and communities.
We believe services work best when they are built on a robust and inclusive partnership with people and communities.
We listen with compassion; we care about the depth and complexity of people’s lives.
We act upon what we hear; we are tenacious in our desire to inform and influence change.
People trust us because we are independent, with a balanced and objective viewpoint.
We are determined to root our work in what really matters to people, especially those who may find it harder to access services.
Kate Scribbins, Chief Executive – kate.scribbins@luminus-cic.uk
I have worked for over 34 years in the fields of equity of access and ensuring that all people have their voices heard. In that time I have managed Which? magazine’s consumer research; ran my own consultancy working for clients including Financial Conduct Authority and Joseph Rowntree; developed a high-performing Healthwatch team, and grown that into a social enterprise which shines a light on people’s experiences of local services. My role includes working with the Board to develop strategy, and leading the amazing Luminus team to ensure we deliver an excellent service, while at the same time managing growth to ensure we are a sustainable enterprise to continue to advocate for the voices of local residents – especially those who are less well-heard. When working with me you will find me a careful listener; I will have empathy in understanding your issues; and a passion to work with you to find collaborative solutions.
I believe that taking time, with curiosity, to gain a deep insight people’s lives, behaviours and motivations and involving a wide range of people and perspectives in developing solutions, leads to better outcomes and greater wellbeing for all involved.
Lisa Sian, Chief Operating Officer – lisa.sian@luminus-cic.uk
Sarah Browne, Relationship Manager – sarah.browne@luminus-cic.uk
I’ve been in business for over 27 years, holding roles across business support and new business, marketing communications, account directorship and engagement management. I am the Relationship Manager at Luminus. I connect with local communities to find people whose voice may otherwise not be heard. I am responsible for delivering contractual KPIs and project leadership where engagement is key. I am expert in having difficult conversations with seldom heard individuals and communities and passionate about empowering people to share their experiences.
As a team member of Luminus, I fundamentally believe that helping to involve local people to shape future services is key to building a happy, healthy community.
Becki Meakin, Research Manager – becki.meakin@luminus-cic.uk
Sam Botsford – Healthwatch Surrey
Lisa Roberts – Giving Carers a Voice
Sarah Browne – Combating Drugs Partnership Public Involvement
The Directors of Luminus Insight CIC board hold overall accountability for all our services, including our Healthwatch Surrey service. Details of our board meetings held in public, are available on the Healthwatch Surrey website.
Jason Davies – Board Director and Co-Chair
Jason’s background is as a lawyer with over 30 years’ experience, specialising in infrastructure and development finance. Jason was one of the first Non-Executive Directors of Healthwatch Surrey (now Luminus Insight CIC) and became Co-Chair in 2020. Jason is proud of the work the Community Interest Company has carried out over the years, amplifying the stories and voices of local people to public service providers – whether their experience is positive or negative.
Deborah Mechaneck- Board Director and Co-Chair
Deborah is an MBA with over 40 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, medical devices and health related not-for-profit sectors. Her career has included management and executive roles in sales and marketing, finance, strategic planning, customer relationship management, PR, public and government affairs and communications. Deborah joined the Board of Healthwatch Surrey (subsequently becoming Co-Chair of Luminus Insight CIC) almost 10 years ago because she is passionate about people having access to excellent health and social care and for local communities to have their voices heard about the provision of these services.
Richard Davy – Board Director appointed by Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC)
Richard Davy has been involved in health and social care for 40 years. In this time, he has worked for a number of local authorities and voluntary sector organisations including generic social work teams, support services and residential care. He has also managed voluntary sector organisations, social care teams, domiciliary care provision and community support services.
Richard has been closely involved with the development of Direct Payments and the personalisation of health and social care services. He has experience of developing, setting up, managing, and supporting Direct Payments and Direct Payment support services for both Voluntary Sector Organisations and Local Authorities.
Richard has been the Chief Executive of Surrey Independent Living Charity since 2008 and has a passionate commitment to developing and improving health and social care in Surrey. He is also committed to ensuring that the voices of people who use health and social care service are listened to when it comes to making decisions that affect the service they need and rely on, and that equality and inclusivity are at the heart of service provision in Surrey.
John Bateson – Board Director
John started work as a manager in the National Health Service over twenty years ago, and since then has led a wide variety of projects working to improve healthcare services, supporting and learning from patients and their families. He also has a long standing interest in education and training for staff, particularly the support workforce such as healthcare assistants. For the last five years, John has specialised in health and social care research in the public and charity sector, and is a visiting research fellow at Bucks New University. He works in a small partnership critically evaluating and informing a variety of projects around the UK.
Maria Millwood – Board Director
Maria worked for over 35 years in the public sector supporting social Care and health, first as an accountant then moving to holding Director positions covering Finance, Performance, HR and Commissioning. Maria is passionate about listening to the voices of people and amplifying these to influence change within health and care and provide better outcomes for people. Maria chairs the Finance and Personnel Committee which enables her to use her experience and solution-focused skills in ensuring that Luminus Insight CIC is financially sustainable, now and in the future.
She believes that as a member of the Local Healthwatch Advisory Group she adds value by bringing her views, insight and a local perspective of health and care to support and challenge the team in setting and meeting our priorities.
Moses Williams – Board Director
Moses brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to the table. Moses has dedicated his career to championing equity and inclusivity in various sectors.
His journey towards advocating for DEI began during his academic years, where he studied Politics & International Relations. Transitioning into the professional realm, Moses served as a police officer in London, where he played a pivotal role in implementing and leading DEI initiatives for the force. His responsibilities included creating and running Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), focusing on policy development, outreach, recruitment, strategy, and training alongside day to day operational Policing. He also represented the force as a member of the National Black Police Officer’s Association, serving as a key figure in shaping organizational policies and initiatives. Additionally, Moses served as the inaugural chair of the REACH network, further solidifying his dedication to fostering an inclusive environment.
Transitioning back to the private sector, Moses continued to drive DEI initiatives. Through his work, Moses has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating spaces where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
Moses is excited about the opportunity to contribute his expertise and passion for DEI to Luminus, focusing on advancing equity and inclusivity of services as a voice service for the community.
Sarah Billiald – Board Director
Sarah Billiald is an experienced CEO across a variety of different services to the public and a number of social enterprises most recently as the CEO of First Community Health and Care – a social enterprise providing NHS community health services in East Surrey. An expert in systems thinking, organisation and leadership development she is passionate about engagement: of those using public services, of staff within organisations and of communities and places. Having worked closely with Healthwatch Surrey in her previous role she is excited to join the Luminus Board at a time of great opportunity and development for the organisation.
A chartered accountant by qualification, Sarah lives in Dorking, Surrey with her husband and son. She is also a Non Executive Director at Your Healthcare (a social enterprise providing health and care services in SW London) and is an Associate at Collaborate CIC (where she was previously Managing Director) supporting partnerships and places to develop their collaborative working.
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