Fiona Mackintosh

Fiona lives in Weston-super-Mare and represents the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector on the NHS Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB). She champions the vital role of the VCSE in improving wellbeing and health, with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention, and tackling the root causes of inequality. Passionate about collaboration, she advocates for stronger partnerships between statutory services and community-led initiatives, ensuring people get the right support at the right time.

With over 35 years of experience in the advice and social welfare sector, Fiona has dedicated 19 years to the not-for-profit arena, developing expertise in senior leadership, governance, risk management, income generation, strategic planning, people management, and service delivery. She has a deep commitment to social justice, poverty reduction, and system change, working to make sure that services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of communities.

Fiona is a founding member of the North Somerset Wellbeing Collective, a cross-sector coalition of the willing focused on improving the wellbeing and health of all North Somerset residents through collaboration, influence, and system change. She was a board member of the Woodspring Locality Partnership as the VCSE Locality Lead, where she played a key role in the formation of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance.

Fiona is currently the Strategic Lead for ACFA: The Advice Network, supporting the not-for-profit advice sector across the West of England. In this role, she works closely with health, local government, and VCSE partners to improve access to free, independent advice services, tackle health inequalities, and strengthen the sector’s sustainability. She is a strong advocate for embedding a trauma-informed approach, recognising the impact of past experiences on wellbeing and health, and the importance of services that are compassionate, person-centred, and empowering.

Alongside her strategic roles, Fiona works freelance, providing VCSE strategic business support, and is developing her executive coaching and mentoring practice. She is passionate about helping people and organisations grow, learn, and navigate change.

Outside of work, Fiona enjoys outdoor adventures, including hiking, open-water swimming, and camping. She believes in the power of connection, community, and taking time to enjoy the simple things in life.