Sanctuary UK Trustees
David (DC) Logan
David Logan is a director of services for vulnerable people with sixteen years of leadership experience across London. He has designed, implemented, and managed new supportive communities for people journeying through various stages of social, material, and mental health challenges. David is also a songwriter, forming and leading indie soundscape collectives and music collaborations with those experiencing homelessness, amongst other projects. Together with his wife, Jen, he founded Fer, which produces theologically-informed artworks in a variety of forms responding to social issues. The severe learning and physical disabilities of his youngest child also continues to inform and inspire much of his work.
David says:
I have lived and worked closely with people with mental health challenges throughout my life. I’m convinced of the urgent, increasing need for compassionate and informed mental healthcare and of the intersectional benefit this makes to the flourishing of societies. I am equally convinced of, and excited by, the distinct place for the Church in this. With my work in mental health services, I believe we are asked by Jesus and resourced by the Spirit to be much more than another drop in, drop out service. We’ve been uniquely gifted with a deep wealth of spiritual treasures for good holistic mental health support that is rooted in something different to any other organisation on earth. We are a family that faithfully abides with each other throughout our times affected by mental health issues, as part of a fellowship and within a narrative that is bigger and endures beyond the presenting disorienting issues that distress us and question our identity. I am drawn to Sanctuary because they are supporting churches to take hold of this treasure and to operate under a hopeful and biblical practical theology whilst remaining guided by evidence-based practice.
Elli Johnson
Elli Johnson is a writer and poet working in Liverpool, where she lives with her husband and three children. Having initially trained as a theatre director, she began writing ten years ago. In 2019 she published her first book, a memoir about anxiety entitled How Not To Be Good. She is currently working on her first collection of poetry. Elli is a passionate advocate for increasing the dialogue around mental health. She hosts events and speaks regularly about her lived experience of post-natal depression and anxiety both in person and online.
Elli says:
I first encountered the work of Sanctuary via a friend and was blown away by the depth and insight of The Sanctuary Course. The combination of theological and psychologically rigorous content, combined with engaging personal stories has created a compelling and uniquely helpful resource for churches, small groups, and individuals. When Sanctuary UK launched, I was delighted to come onboard as a trustee. I believe the work Sanctuary creates will be the answer to many churches’ questions around how to educate and offer support to its members—those who are already struggling with their mental health as well as those who haven’t given it a second thought.
Farayi Nyakubaya
Farayi is a registered mental health nurse who works in the UK’s National Health Service. He has worked as a Dialectical Behaviour Nurse Therapist for many years supporting people living with Borderline Personality Disorder. He broadened his skills through a Postgraduate Diploma and worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with patients with various personality disorders who had also committed serious offences. He has experience in staff training and team development. He moved into management and managed various inpatient services treating adults with complex mental health problems. He is currently working in an inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service as a team manager looking after a service that treats young people with general acute mental health presentations and also provides specialist inpatient care for young people suffering from eating disorders.
Farayi says:
We are all broken and living in a broken world. The gospel is such wonderful news because it gives all creation hope for restoration. As we wait for the second coming of our Lord, the Church should use the authority of Christ to love the broken. Those in the margins of society should find love and acceptance in the Church of Jesus. The Church already does amazing work with the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. From my perspective, the Church needs to do more to support those living with mental illnesses and mental health problems. Sanctuary’s work in equipping the Church in loving and supporting those with mental health problems is valuable and central to the call of the Church. This is why I feel so privileged to contribute to this work and believe that every church should glean from Sanctuary’s resources to equip itself.
Joy Johnston
Joy lives in London with her husband Tim, who is a barrister, and their three sons. Having completed a degree in psychology at Oxford University, Joy’s work to date has primarily been in the (politically neutral) UK civil service. Alongside this, Joy has helped to start several successful charities as a trustee and adviser. Joy was also one of the founding members of Community Church Harlesden and continues to be involved in leadership within the church. Joy is committed to social transformation and enjoys supporting people, organizations, and communities to grow and thrive.
Joy says:
I am really excited about launching Sanctuary UK. I was drawn to Sanctuary’s work because it is informed by both psychology and theology, as well as the important perspective of lived experience. I found the material in the Sanctuary course really insightful. It has given me helpful tools for understanding my own mental health and supporting others. Given the scale of mental health challenges we face as a nation, I believe it is absolutely essential that the church is equipped and resourced to better understand all aspects of mental health and wellbeing.