Vanessa serves as Vice-President and country manager for the UK / Ireland at the PayPal Giving Fund. She joins The Loss Foundation's board after operating as its Head of Strategic Development and describes herself as an incorrigible learner.
After a philosophy post-graduate degree at the Sorbonne in Paris, she completed a business administration master at ESCP Europe specialising in Media with a view to work in the film industry. Sometimes life has other plans, which saw her work in the finance sector for a decade across functions and collaborating with diverse teams spread across continents.
Likes: Story time with my son, lists, early morning promising rays of sun, the happy marriage of goat's cheese and late harvest Malbec
Dislikes: Boredom, certainty masquerading as truth, spiders (in that order)
Ruth joined the board of trustees in 2015 to help advise the charity on communications strategy and management. Currently Director of Communications for a technology company, Ruth is a former journalist and has a degree in politics.
Sarah joined the board of trustees in 2018 to help advise the charity on all things HR related. Sarah is currently a People Partner for a technology company, following a number of global HR roles in the finance industry.
Francine has been involved in the charity since it began in 2010 and was part of the small team helping Erin in it's development. She is a regular support group facilitator, contributes to the charity's fundraising arm and sits on the board of trustees. Francine recently qualified as a Clinical Psychologist, and has conducted her doctoral research thesis in collaboration with The Loss Foundation to examine how spouses make sense of bereavement following cancer.
Likes: Plants and flowers, feta, being silly
Dislikes: Long hairs on sponges, queuing when in a rush, horror films
Edward has been a barrister for almost 20 years specialising in commercial and regulatory law. He joined The Loss Foundation as a trustee in 2018 with the aim of putting some of his knowledge and experience as a barrister to good use outside of a courtroom. He’s a committed member of the team and even managed to persuade his 73 year old father to do a 100-mile bike ride around London in the pouring rain to raise much-need funds money for the charity.
Likes: cycling, coffee and cake (the perfect combination)
Dislikes: motorbikes, early starts, cold-callers
Shereen joined The Loss Foundation at it's inception and is both a Trustee and event facilitator. Currently working as the Deputy Head of Student Experience at City University London, Shereen also has an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management and over 15 years experience of working and fundraising for cancer led charities, children charities and mental health charities.
Likes: Travelling, cheese, team sports
Dislikes: Lack of sleep, public toilets, dogs barking
Kirsten has been involved in The Loss Foundation since it's creation in Erin's living room over garlic bread and a cheeseboard. She is a Clinical Psychologist and Research Fellow at the University of Oxford where she is responsible for running The Oxford Grief Study, a large scale investigation of the psychological processes involved in adaptation after loss.
Likes: Ottolenghi, antipodean baristas, brainstorming
Dislikes: Cycling, Oxford winters, when cashiers put the change on top of the notes
Helen’s connection to The Loss Foundation goes back to it’s earliest formation and the love that inspired it's birth. Her role as advisor remains one of support and imagining the future together. She is a Professor of Fashion & Science at The University of The Arts London and currently works in several unexpected ways for the plight of the global refugee crisis through her work with the UNHCR.
Likes: Humans, old trees, sun
Dislikes: Wasting time, liquorice, lack of sleep
Erin founded The Loss Foundation in 2010 after witnessing and experiencing the lack of support that was available when her father died from cancer in 2008. She is dedicated to building and improving services to support people when a loved one dies.
Erin was named as one of the 35 top business women under 35 in the UK by Management Today in 2017. In the same year Erin was awarded the prestigious honour of a Winston Churchill Fellowship, which involves investigating inspiring practice in other countries, and returning to the UK with innovative ideas for the benefit of people across the UK. Her area of expertise was bereavement.
Erin was recently invited to join the Wall of Honour at the Royal Society of Medicine, a place where doctors, nurses, surgeons and other professionals from across the spectrum of medicine and healthcare are recognised for their dedication, both to their patients and their work.
Erin also works as a Clinical Psychologist within the NHS and private sector. She works with individuals and families when there is a life limiting illness, as well as when there has been a bereavement. She also works with general mental health in adults and children.
Likes: Climbing mountains, crosswords, popcorn
Dislikes: Being late, waste, diets
Rohan joined the Loss Foundation in 2020 as the Charity Administrator and is excited to work with this growing organisation and supporting people experiencing loss. Rohan has worked in the charity sector for almost a decade working in fundraising and programme coordination. He has also works as a counsellor in private practice.
Likes: Comedy improv, spicy food, nature
Dislikes: Casserole, Mosquitoes, the word "Foodie"
Danielle joined The Loss Foundation in July 2021 as the Philanthropy Fundraiser. She has worked in fundraising for over a decade in a number of charities including the RNLI and the British Heart Foundation. She hopes to bring her experience to The Loss Foundation to increase the charity's funding, thus enabling the charity to support more people through their bereavement. She is excited to be part of the charity and hopes to make a positive impact on people's lives through her work.
Po-Yee joined in March 2021 as Research Assistant Psychologist. She is involved with the development and running of the Connect service, and is excited by the opportunities it offers for enabling more bereaved individuals to benefit from the mutual support of similar loss connections.
She has a postgraduate MSc Psychology of Mental Health (conversion) and hopes to pursue a new career in health psychology, having worked as an analyst in the finance sector for over a decade. She is motivated to learn from her own and others’ experiences of illness, cancer and devastating loss, and feels it is a great privilege to be part of the growing Loss Foundation community.
Likes: happy dogs, almond croissants, a good walk
Dislikes: spiders and spooky films
Jess feels incredibly privileged to be a volunteer for The Loss Foundation having admired Erin and her passion for the cause since the charity was founded in 2010. She has been a facilitator for the support groups since 2012 and the bereavement retreats since 2013, and feels that being part of this dynamic and innovative charity has been a truly humbling experience.
Jess is a medical doctor, training to be a general practitioner in London, and encounters illness and loss regularly. Through her work with The Loss Foundation she feels better equipped to talk to patients and their families about bereavement, and also bring some of those skills into her consultations. Jess is hugely proud of the work we do at The Loss Foundation and is excited to be part of this ever evolving organisation, and what the future brings with regards to bereavement support and research in this area.
Likes: Cooking, baths, panda bears
Dislikes: Baked beans (yuk!), spiders, scary movies
Emma joined The Loss Foundation in September 2015 and has been honoured to join such a welcoming and dedicated team. She currently works as an Assistant Psychologist in the NHS, working with individuals who experience complex depression, anxiety and trauma. From this she has learned how powerful support groups can be in providing a safe space to share experiences without the worry of judgment, and has witnessed how they can foster hope and empowerment. She is excited to contribute to the ongoing development of this compassionate charity.
Likes: Rugby, running, red velvet cake
Dislikes: Flying, daddy long legs, scary movies
Paris joined The Loss Foundation in 2015 after being struck by the vision the charity has - to provide a space to talk about bereavement openly. Paris is currently working as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist in the NHS.
Likes: Animals, running, a cup of tea
Dislikes: Doing the ironing, being tickled, liquorice
Paul has been volunteering with The Loss Foundation for several years. He has a vast amount of experience working in mental health and the NHS. He takes a great interest in the well-being of others, using all of his skills and experience to help people as best he can.
Likes: KFC, 1 day cricket, sleeping
Dislikes: Early morning wake-ups, Brussels sprouts, being cold
Ollie joined the team this year after hearing about the great work from a colleague at Rare Dementia Support, where he works as a researcher, principally examining language use in support group settings, and as a member of the support service for those living with a rare dementia. Ollie holds a degree in Linguistics and a masters in psychology and is especially interested in harnessing language as a vehicle for self-expression and as a conduit to what is unexpressed. Professionally, Ollie has worked in several mental health contexts and gets his energy from the service of others.
Likes: Crystal Palace, dairy, boxer dogs
Dislikes: Brighton and Hove Albion, dairy (I’m allergic :/), bullies
I am Karolina but prefer Karol for short. I am currently a trainee
psychological wellbeing practitioner and I aspire to become a clinical
neuropsychologist. I am passionate to be joining this wonderful team to support the brave people who go through the hardest times and I am curious to learn more about grief.
Likes: travel, squash, and loads of coffee
Dislikes: arrogant people, doughnuts, and waiting
Christine joined The Loss Foundation as a group facilitator in autumn 2017. She is currently studying for a MSc Psychology at the University of East London, with the hope to eventually train as a Clinical Psychologist. She is a passionate believer in bringing more compassion into our daily lives.
Likes: singing, scandi crime series, the seaside
Dislikes: rain, jelly, rush hour commutes
Sarah joined The Loss Foundation in 2020 after losing a loved one during the Coronavirus pandemic and being deeply moved by the charity's cause. She is currently completing a Masters in Psychology of Mental Health at the University of Edinburgh and hopes to go on into Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys cooking and water sports such as sailing, surfing and rowing.
Likes: Hot chocolate, Ottolenghi recipes, reading memoirs.
Dislikes: Coffee, the cost of Ottolenghi recipes, flat pillows.
Sarah joined The Loss Foundation as a group facilitator in 2017. She works in community mental health, having recently changed careers from communications.
Likes: Agony aunt columns, pretzels, Hampstead Heath
Dislikes: Getting up early, Haribo, housework
I am a final year student completing a BSc in psychology and an aspiring clinical psychologist. She also volunteers for a mental health helpline and previously volunteered as a mental health care assistant. She was motivated to join the Loss Foundation having lost loved ones to cancer herself to listen to people’s stories and offer support.
Likes: rain, marvel movies, napping
Dislikes: spiders, trains, olives
Emily became inspired by the passion of her peers working at The Loss Foundation, so she decided to join them in their support to those going through bereavement. Emily works as a Clinical Psychologist specialising in the field of adult mental health. She also fosters cats.
Likes: Animals, trees, autumn
Dislikes: Cruelty, injections, forgetting things
Having previously worked in Film and TV, Katie is currently studying for an MSc in Psychology at the University of East London and working as a research assistant in developmental neuroscience. Having lost loved ones to cancer, Katie is interested in the different ways that we live with loss and bereavement and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the important work that the Loss Foundation does.
Likes: Mushrooms, long walks in nature, dancing
Dislikes: Over-cooked eggs, being forgetful, musicals
Beth joined The Loss Foundation in 2014, and volunteers as a support group and event facilitator. She also contributes to the development of the charity by being in two of the charity's committees, the Show the Love and the Make it Happen committees. Beth also works in the NHS as a paediatric doctor.
Likes: Chocolate, optimism, netball
Dislikes: Mice, tea with sugar, feeling tired
Ffion is really excited about being part of the Loss Foundation and to support people through their grief. She's originally from Wales and now living in Bristol. She's currently working as a psychological wellbeing practitioner in IAPT and studying part time for a masters in mental health and neuroscience.
Likes: chocolate, dogs, hockey.
Dislikes: spiders and snakes!
Lizzie joined the team in 2014 shortly after meeting Kirsten Smith in Oxford and learning about The Loss Foundation and their inspirational work. She is a regular facilitator of both the Oxford community support groups and student support groups. Lizzie believes it is a privilege to work for such a great charity and is continuously humbled by the stories shared by group members, the support they offer one another, and the difference that sharing an experience can have with others who understand the experience of loss. Professionally Lizzie has worked in a range of mental health settings, and is currently finishing her doctorate, specialising in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Likes: Mountain hikes, spaghetti, the sea
Dislikes: Wasps, peas, scratchy wool
Gary has always held a passion for voluntary work, advocacy and humanistic approaches to alleviating suffering for those affected by problems in living. He is especially drawn to mental health and working with bereavement and loss, because it is an impactful and challenging life experience which offers no immunity, and is something that inevitably we all must face.
Since 2018, Gary has been a Bereavement Support Volunteer with Islington Bereavement Service and worked in a similar role with Cruse Bereavement Care from March 2014 to October 2015. He was inspired to volunteer with The Loss Foundation, as he wanted to be part of their UK wide service offering free bereavement support via in-person and online support groups, which is a very effective way of helping bereaved people facing significant loss. Gary's hope is to be able to bring my passion and 'lived experience' of working with grief and loss to this role to help others.
Likes: Pink Floyd, rock music, existential philosophy, world cinema, long country walks and treks
Dislikes: dairy products, cold & winter, long traffic jams and junk mail
Anita is a finalist at Durham University studying for a degree in Natural Sciences (Biology and Psychology). Currently, she also volunteers for the Samaritans and aspires to work within further mental health contexts upon graduation. She strongly believes in The Loss Foundation's ethos of providing people with free, accessible and compassionate bereavement support and feels privileged to be part of such an inspiring charity.
Likes: Earl Grey, puppies, Taylor Swift
Dislikes: Housework, noise whilst I'm asleep, people glued to their phones!
Deborah has worked in facilities management for many years, and whilst working full time is studying Therapeutic Counselling to become a Counsellor. She have just started with the loss foundation, it's a fantastic opportunity to support others which she is enthusiastic about.
Likes: Coffee, creating novelty cakes, travelling abroad and spending time with my 4 Grandchildren
Dislikes: Tea, being late and cockroaches
David joined The Loss Foundation at the end of 2021, having been inspired by the powerful and vital service that the charity provides. He finds it a privilege to be able to play a part in helping to run such important support groups.
After working in the research and insights sector for over 6 years, David decided to pursue his passion for improving mental health by undertaking a masters conversion course in Psychology. He harbours the long-term ambition of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. David also volunteers with Sport in Mind where he assists in running sports sessions designed to help those who are experiencing mental health problems.
Likes: Saunas, Lie-ins, Playing football
Dislikes: Hot drinks, Housework, Procrastination (because I do it too much!)
Sam joined The Loss Foundation as a group facilitator in February 2020. He has a passion for global mental health and an interest in transferring mental health research into tangible policy change. He feels lucky to work with the foundation over the last year, and enjoys writing blogs about his experience which sometimes appear on the website.
I currently work as a Policy and Public Affairs assistant at the Mental Health Foundation, and have a BSc in Psychology from Birkbeck college, and an MSc in Global Mental Health from KCL & LSHTM.
Likes: politics, jazzy shirts, music & cats (the pet, not the musical)
Dislikes: board games and early mornings
Eleanor joined The Loss Foundation because she was impressed with their dedication to providing accessible bereavement support. She understands the importance of this support, having encountered loss through previous volunteering work and personally. She is currently completing an undergraduate degree in anthropology, focusing on loss within medical and psychological anthropology.
likes: playing tennis, antiques, the sound of rain outside when you are warm inside
dislikes: mashed potato, wasps, pistachios that won't open
Charlotte (she/her) was inspired to join the Loss Foundation due to personal experience with grief and supporting others. She has a wide range of experience supporting people in varied settings, face-to-face, online, and by phone, including both adults and young people. Charlotte has a Psychology and Research background, and is currently training to become a counsellor. When she's not in uni, on placement, or co-facilitating groups, she is developing and delivering wellbeing courses for students in her work at a small charity. Charlotte finds volunteering helps her own wellbeing as well as a sense of doing something meaningful for others - she also volunteers for a service supporting young people online.
Likes: Autumn (fireworks, snuggly jumpers), a good singalong/dance it out, nice coffee and anything chocolatey!
Dislikes: Spiders and wasps, mornings, talking about herself!
Ferozan is a psychology graduate, and is continuing her career in the field of psychology.
Her job role allowed her to work with individuals who were receiving end-of-life care.
Ferozan joined The Loss Foundation because she wanted to continue supporting individuals who lost their loved ones. It is a privilege to be part of the team at The Loss Foundation.
Likes: Green tea, walk in nature, reading
Dislikes: Black coffee
Alison is a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS and private practice. She works with children and young people affected by neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions and with frontline healthcare staff to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
She volunteers as a supervisor with the Loss Foundation as she has a passion for supporting those who support others.
Likes: Coffee, hiking, sewing, travelling, and being engrossed in a good book.
Dislikes: pollution, mushrooms, animal cruelty.
