People involved in the Network
Dayasara has worked in learning disability, mental health, and general nursing. He spent 10 years mainly in education/training in the mental health field, latterly as a Senior Lecturer with Anglia Polytechnic University (APU). He received his (non-monastic) ordination into the Western Buddhist Order in 2001. He lives in a Buddhist community in Ipswich, is involved with activities at the Ipswich Buddhist Centre, works in a Sue Ryder Care neuro-disability unit (handily placed 150 metres from his home), and does research on Buddhism and long-term care with APU.
Dee Margerison is a Buddhist and is working towards ordination into the Western Buddhist Order (WBO). Her professional background is in special education, and she is now manager of the Ananda project in Hadleigh, Suffolk. This offers small-scale residential and respite care to younger people with learning and/or physical disability.
Des owns The Mill, near Happisburgh in Norfolk - the former windmill on site has been used as a retreat centre in the past. He is a counsellor and therapist with many years of experience, working with people with issues including drug dependency, mental health needs, learning disability and homelessness. He is currently training in Non-Violent Communication (NVC).
David Vasey is a doctor. He was a consultant at Ipswich Hospital, UK for over 20 years, and until his retirement in 2006 was Clinical Director of a specialist unit for the treatment of gynaecological cancer. He is a Buddhist and is working towards ordination into the Western Buddhist Order (WBO). David visits Nepal regularly as part of a programme to provide medical services in isolated and deprived areas, and in the UK contributes to a project offering sailing trips to blind/visually impaired people.
Srivandana is a Buddhist artist, born in Hampshire and now based in Ipswich, UK. She was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order (WBO) in 1993, and formerly worked as an art therapist in mental health and physical disability settings. Srivandana has had to withdraw from paid employment because of long-term health problems, whilst maintaining her practice of art work, meditation, spiritual friendship etc. She is depicted with Judy Garland, one of her two cats.