Our Trustees
Sarah David
Chair
As a portfolio Board Chair, Sarah brings expertise in strategy, leadership, and governance to The Loss Foundation. She began her career as a lawyer, before moving into executive roles at Linklaters and Korn Ferry, and as CEO of a Colorado autism centre. With 15 years’ consulting experience supporting founders, she is also an executive coach whose MSc research focused on executive leaders’ mental health.
Sarah Barrick
Trustee
Sarah joined the board of trustees to help advise the charity on all things HR and people management related. Sarah is currently a People Partner for a technology company, following a number of global HR roles in the finance industry.
Vanessa Babouram
Trustee
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 also acted as Interim Chair. She describes herself as an incorrigible learner.
Rebecca Mahallati
Trustee
Rebecca is a highly experienced strategic and insightful senior fundraiser. She has worked in the third sector since 2005 – spending 10 of those years at Cancer Research UK – where she honed her skills and led one of CRUK’s high-value fundraising teams.
Vikki Jessop
Trustee
Vikki became involved with The Loss Foundation after the death of her father. Vikki has worked in the Cultural Sector for over 15 years. She is currently Senior Operations Manager at the Natural History Museum (NHM), where she oversees exhibition delivery across museums and venues worldwide. Outside of NHM, she is also studying Art Law at the Institute of Art and Law. Vikki is also a Run Director at parkrun UK, voluntary team leader for London Marathon, and is passionate about the impact of volunteering within sport.
She has extensive work within charity governance, serving as Trustee (Deputy Chair) for the Black Country Living Museum between 2020-2026 and member of BCLM’s Audit Committee.
Kate Rowlandson
Trustee
Kate has supported The Loss foundation for several years since losing her mum and dad to cancer, and became a trustee in 2022. She has worked in the Volunteering Division at Macmillan Cancer Support for 10 years in varying roles but currently as Volunteer Experience Manager.
Kirsten Smith
Trustee
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 and conducted The Oxford Grief Study, a large scale investigation of the psychological processes involved in adaptation after loss.
Colin Ware
Trustee
Colin started work with The Loss Foundation in 2020 and joined the board of Trustees in 2022 to help advise on technology and leveraging data. Colin has spent over 30 years in the technology industry and currently splits his time working on an educational start-up and advising charities. He is passionate about helping others realise their true potential, but also loves to roll his sleeves up and solve challenging problems as they arise.
Our patron
We’re delighted to welcome Luke Alfano, host of Too Young To Grieve, as an ambassador for The Loss Foundation.
After losing his dad suddenly to cancer, Luke has become passionate about creating spaces (through community, events and research) where young people feel understood, supported, and less alone in their grief.
If you missed it, you can listen to Luke and Erin’s discussion about grief here (and stay tuned to our social media channels for future collaborations).
Staff
Dr. Erin Hope Thompson MBE
Founder and Director
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Erin founded The Loss Foundation in 2012 after witnessing the lack of support that was available when her father died from cancer in 2008. She is dedicated to cancer bereavement support. Erin was awarded an MBE for Services to Bereaved Families on the Queen’s Honours List in 2022, as well as being a Churchill Fellow and Acumen Fellow. In 2019 Erin was invited to join the Wall of Honour at the Royal Society of Medicine, a place where 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.
Shelley Heath
Fundraiser
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For nine years, Shelley worked as a copy and content writer in the corporate sector. After volunteering as a grant writer for several charities, Shelley felt that the third sector was where she wanted to spend the rest of her working life. She feels honoured to play a part in furthering the charity’s incredible work of supporting people to live with loss.
Emma Rafferty
Social Media Officer
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Since graduating in English at Sussex University 2008, Emma has worked in a variety of roles in sales, writing for children and marketing.
After the birth of her first child, she wanted a change of direction and volunteered with a local domestic abuse charity and went on to become a busy communications assistant for them for 4+years.
She joined the Loss Foundation in April 2023 and feels honoured and excited to be part of such an important charity.
Shereen Sally
Support Services Manager
Shereen has been part of The Loss Foundation since its inception, helping shape and grow a charity that is deeply close to her heart. Over the years she has served as a Trustee and Board member, facilitated groups and retreats, and currently manages the charity’s support services provision, ensuring compassionate and quality events and smooth coordination of volunteers.
With over twenty years’ leadership experience in Higher Education and an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management, Shereen brings both strategic expertise and hands-on insight. She also has more than fifteen years’ experience working and fundraising for cancer, children’s, and mental health charities, underpinned by a strong commitment to supporting communities through life’s most challenging moments.
Esther Moore
Charity Administrator
Esther graduated from Greenwich University in 2001 and went on to build a successful career as a product consultant, working with a range of financial organisations and developing a reputation for clarity, reliability, and strategic insight.
After welcoming her two boys, she shifted gears and joined a local independent school as a secretary, bringing her organisational skill, calm efficiency, and people‑focused approach into an educational setting.
The loss of her father became a profound turning point. It reshaped her priorities and deepened her commitment to work that feels meaningful. Today, she is dedicated to using her professional experience to support charities and organisations that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
Volunteers
Akua Achampong
Volunteer
Dr Jess Bilaney
Volunteer
Victoria Pickles
Volunteer
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Dr Emma Carr
Volunteer
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Paris Congrave
Volunteer
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Eleanor Cope
Volunteer
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Céline El Baou
Support Group Volunteer
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Robbie Brown
Support Group Volunteer
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Karolina Tothová
Support Group Volunteer
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Jesse Blackburn
Support Group Volunteer
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Catherine Linney
Support Group Volunteer
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Raluca Termure
Support Group Volunteer
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Maisie Inns
Support Group Volunteer
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Amy Peace
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Liane-Louise Smith
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Ellie Gibb
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Jenny Gregory
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Elaine Hughes-Narborough
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Alex Phillips
Support Group Volunteer
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Maria Mackenzie
Walk and Talk Volunteer
Thea Dyson
Support Group Volunteer
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Jack Bowker
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Josie Wood
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Amy Phelps
Support Group Volunteer
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Steve Holder
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Rebecca Ellis
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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James Britton
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Abbie Kitson
Support Group Volunteer
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Meltem Hut Katumba
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Christine Lewington
Support Group Volunteer
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Annalise Clelland
Support Group Volunteer
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Linda Van Hek
Walk and Talk Volunteer
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Idil Avcioglu
Support Group Volunteer
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Leigh Weston
Support Group Volunteer
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Aoife Ryan
Support Group Volunteer
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Emily Hall
Support Group Volunteer
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Liam White
Support Group Volunteer
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Peter Osborn
Support Group Volunteer
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Helena
Support Group Volunteer
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Nicola Ledsham
Support Group Volunteer
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Gretchen Keay
Support Group Volunteer
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Bethan Cornick
Support Group Volunteer
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Sylvana West
Support Group Volunteer
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