Rosie has been a Director of Shanti Bee since 2016. She is the Manager of the centre, a qualified yoga teacher, reflexologist, masseuse and trained as L2 councillor.

Outside of Shanti Bee she creative directs festivals.

She’s been teaching yoga since 2012 and is an advocate for yoga for better mental health.

Derek joined us at the start of Summer 2024, he’s at the centre once a week now helping us keep the place keen and it’s a huge help!

It gets much dirtier that you might expect all those bods in and out.

Derek also volunteers over at the much loved Star and Shadow Cinema, helps friends with dog care and has a family he speaks fondly of.

Nicola joined us in April 2025, and is putting her project management and analysis skills gained from 20+ years in the corporate world to good use supporting the Shanti Bee HQ team refresh the website and support their future development.

I’m thrilled to be part of the Shanti Bee team, putting my skills to good use for an organisation I feel passionate about and is making a real difference in the local community. 

I have lived with chronic health condition most of my adult life and was recently diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  I now volunteer for EDS Support UK and host regular meet-ups for members with the condition. Living with these challenges has helped me to understand the importance of self-care, and I have had a 10+ year daily meditation practice and also practice QiGong.

Viola volunteers at the centre as and when she can. Having completed formal Mindfulness training and with an ongoing study of Buddhism, her passion lies in facilitating and hosting – so you will often catch Viola at social events. She supports our accounts and administration.

Fay joined us in 2023. She is an established web designer and all round business development person based in Chester le Street. She volunteers on ad-hoc projects.

Chris has been with Shanti Bee since 2020. He set up this website and moved Shanti into the world of tech during lockdown!

Lauren has been part of the Shanti Bee family since 2016. She’s an Integrative Therapist who works in the charity sector supporting children and young people.

A dedicated yogi, she’s passionate about community, connection, and the power of holistic therapies to support wellbeing and belonging

I am delighted to be part of the integral team at Shanti Bee, my background was originally in scientific research, having gained a Ph.D in molecular biology and oncology I became disillusioned with the corporate world and its focus on profits and sought a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

I decided to retrain in a variety of holistic therapies and I now use my scientific background to work as a self employed Ayurvedic clinician, offering tailored herbal prescriptions, dietary and lifestyle advice and therapies, I also offer bespoke healing as a sound therapist, shamanic practitioner/ energy healer and fitness instructor, I also have a passion for music and I am one of the directors and resident DJ at the North Easts biggest sober rave Conscious Clubbing.

I truly believe in a holistic approach to healing and thrive on bringing grounded, evidence based scientific principles and theory to alternative therapies and seek to raise the vibration of humanity at every opportunity!

Shanti Bees value’s are so aligned with my own it is an absolute pleasure to offer this wonderful team support where I can as centre manager. I really look forward to meeting everyone and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any enquiries relating to hiring the space, classes or general enquiries and I’ll do my best to assist!’