Meet Our Trustees

It’s hard to name a single proudest moment. There have been many times in my life when I have felt proud of the impact of the charities I have worked with, knowing that our services have supported individuals and communities and our advocacy campaigns have been a positive force for change. And as a mum of two, I’d say they have given my many proud moments in life.

What disturbs me is that health inequalities have been widening, there’s ever more evidence that this is linked to social inequality. We know social conditions in which people live affect their health and life expectancy. Tackling that requires national and local action, which is why I am joining up with Social Action for Health.

For relaxation, I do yoga and pilates as well as walking as much as possible around London, spending time in the green spaces of our city's parks and gardens. I also enjoy cooking and eating with friends and family, reading, going to music, cinema, theatre in different parts of London.

My ability to always be "there" for my family and friends regardless of geographical location.

I believe that everyone should have equal access to free or affordable healthcare and support services, regardless of their background, financial situation, or social status. It troubles me that some individuals miss out on essential care simply due to a lack of awareness or the confidence to navigate the system and seek help from medical professionals.

I love to cook, travel and recently started to learn how to play padel!

I’m most proud of the journey that’s brought me to where I am today. Having grown up in local authority care, I began my career supporting people facing mental ill health and youth homelessness before pivoting to study Economics and build a career in finance. That journey reflects my belief in resilience, opportunity, and giving back to the communities that shaped me.

Having benefited from local authority services growing up, I’ve seen how much those systems have deteriorated over the years. The reduction in GP availability and community support worries me, because if I were in the same position today as I was as a young person, I’m not sure I’d have the same access to care. My family also share these concerns, particularly about the lack of patient education and preventive measures especially in lower socio-economic boroughs like tower hamlets.

I like to relax by watching a good movie or playing some video games which allows me to escape from the real world briefly. I also enjoy watching football and playing any kind of racket sports.

I’m proud of my work on a mental health advocacy campaign in secondary schools, raising awareness on self-harm and eating disorders and helping young people access support early.

The fact that where you are born, the colour of your skin and your socioeconomic background still determine your access to quality healthcare and life expectancy.

I enjoy going for walks, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Being admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Families not being able to put food on the table or heat their homes. These fundamental necessities directly impact physical and mental wellbeing, creating cascading health problems that can affect generations. These immediate survival challenges prevent families from addressing longer-term health needs, trapping them in cycles that widen health gaps in our communities.

Go for a walk or run in nature.

I’m really lucky to have wonderful friends and family, and they make me proud so often and so much more than I could ever do myself.

That they’re preventable, and that means they simply shouldn’t exist – equity in our health and our opportunities, regardless of our background, should be a minimum bar for any healthy and fair society.

I love to write, read, listen, and run. I write stories, read more stories, listen to even more stories, and run to give my brain a break.

I am proud of the work I did bringing communities together during the pandemic and that work continues to improve the quality and health of local people.

What keeps me up is knowing that people are living on the same streets in East London do not have the same life chances in terms of health and wellbeing and their experience of access to healthcare will not be equitable.

I have a cat that is my own personal stress fur ball.

My little garden's fruit and veg harvest has been increasing - cherries for the first time last Summer!

That they are widening, and that they affect the whole life course. Inequalities in childhood follow people throughout their lives.

I like to read, do the crossword, and go for walks. Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park are local favourites.

The volunteering I did during the pandemic at a food bank in my local community. The charity was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of all the hard work carried out by the volunteers during the height of the pandemic.

Knowing that where someone is born, lives or works can still determine how long and well they live. Health should not depend on postcode, income or background but for many people it still does.

I enjoy listening to a number of podcasts, across genres, that I can get lost in.

I’m proud of my ability to adapt to change and face new challenges with openness and resilience.

The reality that health inequalities persist, especially for those facing cultural, economic, or social barriers. Not everyone has the same opportunities, and too many people lack the knowledge or access needed to maintain good health.

I like to do yoga, meditation, read and walk in the nature. 

I’m proud of taking the risk of retraining as a mental health social worker in my early 30s, despite having a settled role within the charity sector.

Social economic background and situation playing such a big role in health outcomes and its difficult for individuals to navigate. We also are so behind with support for mental health support, waiting lists and community support feel so far from where they need to be.

I get my hiking boots on and get out of London. If the weather is rubbish I’ll cook or bake something nice. There is usually some fresh bread, some sort of sweet treat or home made ice cream somewhere at home.

In recent years I have got very into running and have now run the Manchester Marathon three times – my most recent time was my fastest. While I’m not likely to be breaking any records, it’s very satisfying to keep pushing my own boundaries as I get older.

The injustice of the situation and that inequities continue to widen. What helps keep me focused though is that we know what the problem is and how to fix it.

I love to get engrossed in a good film or TV show – I really appreciate the distraction and it’s an opportunity to have a shared experience with my family. I’m particularly enjoying that my eldest is now old enough to watch telly with us in the evenings and I can show him all my favourite shows!