Our Team

I trained and worked as a Social Worker, and was part of the Older Persons team in Ealing Council for two years. I made the move into the charity sector in 2010 and have stayed here ever since. I have been with BEfriend since 2015 and it is my role to oversee and develop the charity, ensuring it has everything in place to be able to achieve its aims.

I’m passionate about building inclusive, community-focused services that make a real difference in people’s lives. With a background in both the corporate and charity sectors, I bring a practical, people-first approach to everything I do. As a proud dyslexic, I value the strength that comes from diverse ways of thinking and working, and I’m committed to creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and supported.

I graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2019 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE), before going on to complete a Master’s in International Relations at the University of Nottingham. With a deep commitment to social impact, I have spent several years working in the charity sector, gaining valuable experience in bid writing and the broader fundraising field. I joined BEfriend in July 2024 to support the charity’s vital mission of alleviating isolation and loneliness among adults. I am dedicated to ensuring that BEfriend’s work continues to grow and thrive, while securing the resources and funding necessary to meet the needs of those most at risk in the community.

I have worked in the voluntary sector in London for 30 years including at 3 Victim Support Schemes, 4 Volunteer Centres, the National Deaf Children’s Society and Harrow Age UK before joining BEfriend in 2016. I love working with volunteers and the diversity that they bring and I admire and appreciate them for giving their time to support lonely and isolated people in Ealing.

I graduated with BSc in Psychology in Middlesex University and I have been volunteering and working for BEfriend since 2023. I have always been particularly interested in understanding human behaviour and interactions. I always maintain a solution-focused mindset and feel motivated to offer help and support to isolated people in the Borough of Ealing. I am beyond grateful to be a part of such a wonderful organisation.

Hi, my name is Jason, I am one of the befriending coordinators for the borough of Ealing, where I have lived for over forty years. In the past I have worked in the automotive industry and as a bus driver. I am a qualified counsellor who is passionate about assisting people to overcome the challenges they face. I have seen the pervasive impact loneliness can have on our wellbeing and feel privileged to be joining the inspirational team at BFriend in alleviating isolation and promoting social connection.

I trained and worked as a Medical Doctor and a Medical Trainer before moving to the charity sector in early 2020, and it has been the greatest decision! I believe in the life-changing power of human connection, and I am passionate about supporting people to achieve greater wellbeing and better mental health. I have joined BEfriend as their second Linked Minds Befriending Coordinator. I have seen the positive impact of BEfriend in our community, and I am honoured to be a part of such an amazing organisation.  

Hi, I’m Palak, and I am one of the Linked Minds Befriending Coordinators in Ealing. I graduated with an MSc in Mental Health Studies from King’s College London, and I’ve been working with BEfriend and its wonderful clients since early 2024. Growing up in a community that values collectivism, I recognize the importance of fostering social connection and the positive impact it can have on mental health and overall wellbeing. I’m grateful to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of people in the community, and I’m proud to contribute to such meaningful work.

I joined BEfriend in September 2023 and am proud to have launched our Hounslow befriending project. I have worked in the charity sector supporting vulnerable adults since graduating in 2020 in Italian and International Relations. Currently, I am a volunteer mentor for Kingston Young Carers Project and club leader for Kingston Mencap. I am very grateful to have been welcomed into the BEfriend team and given the opportunity to carry out such an amazing project in the Hounslow borough.

Hi, I’m Debra. My journey began in finance, first as a Bank Clerk and then becoming a Credit Controller for a well-known camera brand.  However, the last 16 years of my career has been working in the charity sector: a Project Worker for a homeless people’s charity, Project coordinator for an independent Foodbank.  Then prior to joining Befriend, I was an Employment Specialist supporting individual experiencing mental health, wanting to get back into employment.  But since joining this fantastic team, I’m just humbled by their passion and commitment in helping lonely and isolated individuals to be able to connection with other people, which is a fundamental need for us all.

I am a trained chef and worked in the hospitality industry for many years. I started volunteering with BEfriend after we moved to London at the start of 2020 and been with the same client since then. I joined the staff team at the end of 2022 and I am feeling very grateful to be a part of this wonderful team and doing something which is so meaningful for so many people.

I joined BEfriend as a volunteer on the Linked Minds and telephone befriending projects, before taking on the role of Administrator (maternity cover) in November 2021. Prior to this, I worked for nearly 20 years in communications for Barts Health NHS Trust in east London. I have seen how beneficial befriending can be in reducing loneliness and isolation and I love supporting BEfriend in their work connecting people.

With a background in digital marketing, creative production and web development, I hope to use my experience to increase engagement in all areas, with a particular focus on volunteer recruitment, and to support this talented and dedicated BEfriend team in any way I can.

I have lived in Ealing since the mid 90’s and work for Apple. I became a trustee because I was aware of how isolated people can be in London and wanted to do my part to help. I feel that the befriending service offered by BEfriend is a real lifeline to those who would otherwise see no one else.

I have lived on and off in Ealing for nearly 20 Years and run a Strategic Consultancy business. I wanted to get more involved in the community, so started volunteering as a BEfriender in 2019 as part of the Carers Short Breaks program. Having really enjoyed the experience I was thrilled to get more involved as a trustee in 2021.

I am a finance professional and currently working at a global tech consultancy. I believe BEfriend’s vital work has a positive impact on our clients’ wellbeing and raises awareness of mental health, compassion, and understanding. I am excited to support BEfriend as a treasurer, ensuring the financial health and sustainable growth of the organisation to further our mission of advocating for loneliness and isolation in the community.

I practised as a solicitor for nearly forty years and have lived in Ealing for most of my life. I have been a volunteer with BEfriend for over ten years and have really enjoyed the time spent with each of my clients. I always wanted to become more involved with BEfriend when I had more time to do so and am very happy to now be a Trustee. I hope that in this role I can contribute more to the extremely valuable work done by the charity.

I worked for the NHS for 32 years having initially trained as a medical doctor and then as a Consultant Psychiatrist. I was based in a community mental health team in Berkshire and had a variety of roles. I retired in 2020 and live locally in Ealing. My work gave me insight to the stigma and challenges faced by people with mental illness, the impact loneliness has on mental health and the positive effect social support has on wellbeing. BEfriend provides an invaluable service to the local community and I am honoured to become a trustee. I hope to use some of my skills to support the organisation to develop their vision to reach out to more people.

I worked in facilities and catering services in universities for over twenty years before joining the House of Lords as Director of Estates and Facilities in 2009. I retired in 2023 and was honoured with the OBE in 2024. I have lived in Ealing since 2012. I volunteer with BEfriend and with Coram Beanstalk. I am very proud of my role as a Trustee of BEfriend and look forward to bringing my generalist facilities, risk, marketing and people skills to the organisation.