Darren Murinas

Darren is chief exec of Expert Citizens CIC, an independent group of people who have all experienced multiple needs – combinations of mental ill health, homelessness, addiction and offending behaviour. They give their ideas to services of Stoke-on-Trent and nationally to help guide and shape them to improve the care of multiple needs citizens.

Darren is also a trustee of the Lankelly Chase Foundation and adviser for The National Lottery Community Fund board. Darren has been working with local and national media outlets such as BBC Radio Stoke, BBC radio Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio four listening project, Victoria Derbyshire show, the Guardian and the Huffington Post. Darren is a national facilitator working with organisations like MEAM, Homeless Link, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Virgin Money Foundation and many more. Darren is also a national speaker, using his own experience of severe and multiple disadvantage to challenge stereotypes and the traditional narrative, dispelling the myth that people experiencing some of the toughest social issues of our time are making a ‘lifestyle choice’.