Marjorie Wallace

Marjorie Wallace is a multi-award winning investigative journalist, former BBC film director and truly thrilling public speaker. She was a member of The Sunday Times Insight Team who exposed the Thalidomide scandal, marking the start of her mental health advocacy. In response to her groundbreaking Forgotten Illness campaign in The Times, she founded SANE in 1986. Marjorie assembled an influential network of high profile figures, including media commentators, politicians and international scientists which enabled SANE to become one of the leading mental health charities in the UK. When booked for events, she tells the insightful story of founding SANE, which resonates with audiences from all backgrounds.

In 2006, Marjorie was selected as one of the key achievers who had made a difference to the health of the nation, for an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Two years later, she was chosen as one of the 60 people central in shaping today's NHS, alongside Aneurin Bevan and William Beveridge. Majorie was later awarded honorary membership of the World Psychiatric Association, in recognition of her contribution to psychiatry and mental health. An expert in her field, Marjorie's influential work thrills audiences up and down the country, igniting their passion for wellbeing.

Within the film and television industry, Marjorie was a trainee producer for ITV's The Frost Programme, current affairs reporter for London Weekend Television and social services correspondent for The Sunday Times. Among her other articles, Marjorie shined a light on the Thalidomide scandal which left thousands of children suffering from physical disabilities. Combined with her article on mental health titled The Forgotten Illness, Marjorie was inspired to be the voice for the voiceless, and advocate for those suffering from mental and physical conditions. Continuing her research, she later wrote a book titled The Silent Twins and presented such documentaries as Whose Mind is it Anyway? and Circles of Madness. Marjorie has been a respected voice on disability and emotional wellbeing for many years, and is regarded as one of the strongest influences on mental health reforms.

In celebration of her work, Majorie was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and received several honorary doctorates and professional awards, including the British Neuroscience Association Award for Public Service. Additional accolades include 1988 Campaigning Journalist of the Year and 2002 Medical Journalist of the Year. Wide recognition of her writing and campaigning include the Communique Healthcare Communications Advocate of the Year Award for public health campaigning, in 2014. In 2016, she was given the Outstanding Campaigner Award in the Women of the Year Awards for her pioneering work with SANE, commending her work in raising awareness of mental health. When booked for events, this award-winning individual inspires an improved perspective in her audience, opening their eyes to the silent struggles of those with mental health issues.