Our Team
Michael Dooley LVO FRCOG HonDSc
Michael was born and educated in Wimbledon but moved to Dorset in 1989 taking up a post as consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dorset County Hospital, working there for more than 25 years. He was lead gynaecologist at the 2012 London Olympics, and Team Doctor for the British Equestrian Federation for eight years. He is also visiting professor at Bournemouth University. Mr Dooley is a fundraiser who has completed a number of charity treks and was appointed as His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in 2024. CHHC is his brainchild having created the concept while High Sheriff of Dorset in 2022. It is his wish to make a difference in Dorset that has brought us all together to extend the order, connection and balance found in nature throughout the county.
Nicole Bateman
I’m passionate about helping children’s activity providers and visitor attractions to create safe spaces for neurodivergent children and advocating to ensure sensory and emotional needs of children are met to enable them to thrive. Having been a teacher for 11 years, I left in 2021 to support my neurodivergent son after he was diagnosed with epilepsy. My two businesses (The Friendly SEND Advisor and The Super Sensory Squad) are built from the heart and offer training and resources for parents, professionals and organisations. I also have a podcast called ‘Conversations with a SEND Mum’ to share lived experiences of fellow parents and neurodivergent and adults with other disabilities. I am part of the Harmony SEND Team who are looking at ways and activities to support the local community and build more awareness and acceptance in society.
Martin J Bedford
I was born, raised and educated in Bournemouth by a Scottish Presbyterian father and Irish Catholic mother, hence my strong ecumenical leanings. My first job at age 15 was with the Beales company where I undertook management training and then coordinated despatch/ receiving. Thereafter I demonstrated resilience through periods of redundancy by becoming a postman, then Customer Relations and Training Manager, a Station Manager on the railway and finally working with high-risk offenders in the probation service until retiring.
My interests include history, theology, comparative religion and social justice. I was the first Lay Chair of Boscombe Churches together and continue to worship regularly. My strong socialist beliefs led me to being an active trades unionist and assiduous representative. Now I am primarily a husband, a father and a very busy grandfather. I have been involved with Harmony since its early days and fully support its aims and ambitions.
Nigel Hedges
Born, raised and educated in Bournemouth, I have always tried to ‘put something back’ by becoming a School Governor, Town Councillor, assisting the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade (having operated an engraving shop in town for 50 years) and now with Harmony. I lost my wife a few years ago but my two children are now in their late 30s, and my inspirational granddaughter is two years old. In my third age I believe we owe it to subsequent generations to ‘get it right’.
Julie Johns MBE
I am a social entrepreneur and have spent 20 years supporting survivors of domestic abuse and raising awareness of these issues. In 2019 I was delighted to be recognised for this service through being awarded an MBE and the local Compassionate Entrepreneur award. I also deliver training on all topics relating to Domestic Abuse to employers, frontline and key workers, running my own consultancy called Safe Space.
I have been involved with and a supporter of Harmony since the very first conference. I had previously read King Charles’ book Harmony and Safe Space Consultancy is the channel I use to spread those same values, through education and awareness of how we can prevent and protect ourselves from harmful relationships.
Ramesh Lal
Born to Indian parents in Kenya, Ramesh Lal emigrated to the UK at the age of 11 with his family and was raised in the Midlands. He pursued a career in optometry, studying in Glasgow before eventually settling in Bournemouth. Until recently, he operated a social enterprise project in Kinson, Bournemouth, dedicated to community support.
Passionate about cultural and social engagement, Ramesh is one of the founders and the current Chairman of the BPC Indian Community Association. What began as a small weekly Bollywood music broadcast on local radio six years ago, has since flourished into a vibrant community organization, offering social, cultural, and educational activities.
Deeply connected to both his Indian heritage and British identity, Ramesh takes pride in being a British Indian, working to strengthen community ties and celebrate inclusivity.
Dr Isioma Nwokolo
Dr. Nwokolo, MBBS, Consultant Psychiatrist with 38 years in medicine in both NHS and private health, is founder of the LINCC Foundation and Freo Wellbeing. This is an online holistic wellness initiative offering mental health services, ADHD/Autism assessments and therapy, promoting social prescribing. Isioma is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, a poet, a playwright and co-author of “The Bristol Slavers”.
Committed to education, Dr Nwokolo contributed to a book on achieving specialist registration and gives talks to colleagues. She mentors students, doctors and speaks on issues like relationships and domestic abuse. Her awards include Compassionate Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Achievement at the Women’s Community Impact Awards in 2023. She was nominated for the Black British Business Award in 2021 and the Cura-H awards in 2024. Dr. Nwokolo holds memberships in the GMC and RCPsych, has served on boards for various charities and is passionate about contributing to the harmony agenda.
Juliet Pentolfe
A passionate advocate for community in Sherborne, Dorset. After living in Zimbabwe and moving to Dorset with family connection to Sherborne, she works, and has served as a Town Councillor and Mayor.
Juliet fosters connections and engages diverse communities. As Hon. Secretary for the Zimbabwe Farmers Trust, she is supportive to agricultural initiatives and more recently involved with the Patrons for the annual Sherborne Castle Country Fair. She is a founding member of the Sherborne Community Land Trust, promoting affordable housing. After visiting Mexico, she introduced Pickleball to Sherborne, now enjoyed by all ages. She also helps organize impactful fundraising events that unite people for meaningful causes.
Juliet is a proud member of Harmony, contributing to its mission of unity and well-being through nature. She remains committed to cultural and philanthropic initiatives, loves a challenge and promotes connections and new ideas throughout Dorset.
Gareth Sherwood
Rev Dr Gareth Sherwood is the CEO of YMCA Bournemouth. Gareth has a life history of working in the non-profit sector, in Christian organisations and various charity services; doing so full-time since 2007 when he ceased practising as a medical doctor after 8 years working in hospital medicine.
Gareth has worked as a doctor, educator, public speaker, ethics advisor, youth worker, church, charity and business leader. He remains an ordained minister in the Elim church, VP of Dorset Chamber, sits on a number of ethics panels, visiting Fellow of Bournemouth University and serves on several boards. Gareth has served as a director with numerous charities and non-profit organisations across the UK and has broad experience in starting and developing volunteer groups, businesses, organisations and charities.
He is inspired by the principles of Harmony as a systematic and sustainable approach to life and community.
Margaret Sunderani
Prior to moving to Bournemouth with my husband to start a business in 1986, I worked for an American Oil company in London. There I trained as a para legal, qualifying eventually as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. Now retired, I enjoy playing in ukulele bands and singing in a community choir. I also run free singalong sessions for people affected by Parkinson’s. I have seven wonderful grandchildren; two have special needs. Consequently, along with music, I have a passionate interest in inclusivity for all but particularly for neurodiverse children and their families and have become part of Harmony’s Special Education & Needs Disability team.
Duncan Sowry-House
Duncan Sowry-House is a business professional and politician. With a career spanning over 35 years, Duncan has developed a reputation for his innovative approach and commitment to excellence. Born and raised in Dorset, Duncan exhibited a strong interest in music, art and manufacturing from an early age and has used these skills in diverse roles. He continues to be a driving force in politics and has been longstanding Chairman and Mayor of a Town Council, a Chair on the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority and within the Dorset Council, Chair of Strategic and Technical Planning, Vice Chair Eastern Region Planning and Vice Chair Corporate Parenting.
Duncan understands the fundamental need for harmony within ourselves, between each other and between us all and our natural environment. He believes that only when we achieve this can we achieve our full potential and become a force for good.
Professor B Gail Thomas RN RM MSc PhD
Now retired, I had a very fulfilling career as a nurse, midwife, lecturer, academic and senior leader in higher education, latterly as Dean of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University. I am now an Emeritus Professor and continue to be involved in various relevant projects at BU. I have undertaken diverse volunteering activities since retirement- visiting older people in their own homes to alleviate loneliness, conservation work on Brownsea Island, gardening at the Russell-Cotes Museum and being a school governor. My most significant commitment currently is being the secretary of Soroptimist International Bournemouth (SIB), a global voluntary women’s group that aims to educate, empower and enable women and girls to reach their full potential. SIB has supported Harmony since 2022; we see it as a vehicle to engage in positive action to help others in our community and we value the networking it offers.
Chika Udezue JP
Chika is a journalist and worked for Saudi Aramco for 20 years as a journalist and community relations officer. She is currently a freelance writer, community leader and a Justice of the Peace for England and Wales. She holds a Masters degree in Human Resource Development, HRD, from the University of Minnesota, USA.
Chika is a motivational speaker and believes that all people, regardless of colour, sex, race or religion have a stake in the community they live in. She encourages youths and women to reach out to the limitless opportunities around them. Chika is married to Dr. Emmanuel Udezue, a Consultant Physician and they have children and grandchildren. She is active in her local Church. Chika says that she is involved in Harmony because “CHHC equates to happiness which is the meaning of life”.