Our people
Meet our small, passionate team
We have a small team of colleagues, an elected Board of Trustees and a wider family of expert consultants and volunteers
Staff
Emma Williams
Emma joined the charity in 2012. As Helpline and Programmes Manager she provides support to older people, their relatives and friends who have queries about care via our adviceline. Emma also leads on our policy work and manages our projects, including producing our publications. Emma has been working in the charity sector for over 20 years with a specific interest in improving the lives of older people. She originally worked as a senior caseworker for Anchor Hackney Staying Put, working to help older residents remain in their own homes through grants for adaptations or vital repairs to their homes. She also worked at Counsel and Care, a charity working with older people, as an Advice Worker.
Trevor Greenidge
Trevor became a core part of the team in 2011. As Helpline Officer he provides individualised support to older people, their relatives and friends who have queries about care. As well as contributing to our projects, campaigns and policy work, he also looks after our website and finance. Trevor began his work in the charity sector in 2005, as a generalist adviser for the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he supported people with a myriad of issues including debt, immigration, and social care to name a few. After several years there, he decided that he wanted to focus on improving the lives of older people, and so in 2009 started working as an adviser for Counsel and Care, before joining our charity.
Helen Wildbore
Helen joined us in 2019. As Director, Helen is responsible for the operational management of the organisation, including oversight of our advice and support service, policy work, campaigns and research. Helen has 20 years’ experience of working in third sector and academic organisations on human rights and equality. Previous positions include Policy and Programmes Manager at the British Institute of Human Rights, Healthcare Engagement Manager at Bliss and Researcher at the LSE. Her expertise lies in using human rights law to improve care and health services. Helen is passionate about improving care services so that older people can live with dignity.
George Hill
George joined us as a Researcher in August 2024. With a background in public law, human rights and international law, George supports the advice, policy and campaigns teams by providing legal research on care law issues. George has previously worked in legal roles at Doughty Street Chambers, the European Court of Human Rights and Liberty. He also has experience in academic research, having undertaken a Leverhulme studentship at the European University Institute and worked as a research assistant at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law and Kent Law School.
Neema Kambona
Neema joined the team in August 2024. As Care and Support Adviser, Neema provides support to older people, their relatives and friends who have queries about care via the adviceline. Neema has worked in the charity sector since 2017 on various heritage projects. Previously she worked with Iroko Theatre, a company that uses traditional African theatre to educate the public on African culture and to promote wellbeing. She has worked on women empowerment projects providing information, advice and guidance to women and girls in Kent and on a project for Barnardo’s supporting girls and young women to maintain healthy relationships. Neema has experience of working in the care sector supporting older people in the community and in residential care settings.
Vivien Levene
Vivien is our Office Manager and joined in November 2023. She provides support across all areas of our work, particularly to our members and supporters. Vivien has extensive experience in administration and systems management, across a range of organisations, most recently at an Art Therapy CIC.
Lauren Byrne
Lauren joined us in August 2024. As Policy and Campaigns Lead, Lauren is responsible for the policy, campaigns and communications work of the organisation. Lauren previously worked as the Vice President Welfare of Edinburgh University Students’ Association, leading projects on mental health, safety and inclusion. She has also worked with Student Minds in the run up to the general election, creating a manifesto at the intersection of healthcare and education. Her background is in Chemistry, and she uses her research skills and lobbying experience to push for a better care system.
Jo Holoway
Jo joined us in August 2024 as a Care and Support Adviser to provide advice on funding, regulations and assessments when moving into residential care. Jo has worked in the voluntary sector since 1996 with a broad range of people and organisations. With a strong advocacy and inequalities background Jo has worked extensively with people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and older people. Jo previously ran a health advocacy project for adults with learning disabilities that also provided health promotion sessions and accessible health information. More recently Jo worked at Kings College London Student Union providing advice to students on academic regulations and representation at formal hearings.
Trustees
Trish Davies (Chair)
Trish has a distinguished record in health and social care. A qualified social worker, she later became the programme manager for the development of the first National Minimum Standards for Care Homes at what was, then, Department of Health. She became the director of policy and communications at the National Care Standards Commission, the first national regulator, and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regulation at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. She served as chair for Heritage Care (now Ambient), a not-for-profit social care provider.
Susan Alleyn
Susan started out as a barrister and then requalified as a solicitor in 1986. For the last 30 years she has specialised in private client work. She is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, advising families on arranging care for their loved ones. She has given advice on contracts with care homes, lasting powers of attorney and mental capacity issues. Her father lives in a care home. Susan was in touch with the charity during the pandemic about the practical steps she could take to improve his quality of life and that of others in homes throughout the country.
Sue Redmond
Sue has worked in health and social care for her entire career. For the last 12 years she was Director of Social Care and Health in various local authorities across the country. She currently sits as independent chair of two adult safeguarding boards. For the past eight years she has helped to care for her stepmom who has spent six years living in care homes. Sue is passionate and committed to helping to improve the quality of care for older people.
Emily Graham
Emily has a proven track record in campaigns and advocacy, with a particular specialism in policy and public affairs. She currently leads on policy and public affairs at the award winning refugee charity, Safe Passage International, and has previously worked at Mind, the British Institute of Human Rights and NCVO. In addition to her professional skills and expertise, she bring a determination to improve care services which is grounded in her personal experiences of supporting family members.
Peter Storey
Pete has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years, initially at the Royal National Society of Blind People, where he headed up the fundraising strategy team. He served for 15 years as a director at Kidney Research UK, where he managed fundraising, communications, public affairs, volunteering programmes and the development of health inequalities and rare diseases research, as well as developing strategy. Now retired, he supports his father, who is a resident in a care home.
Duncan Lugton
Duncan has spent his career working in policy roles in the charity sector, with a particular interest in the most marginalised groups and high impact causes. He currently leads the policy work of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, applying the profession's knowledge to key issues such as achieving net zero. Duncan has previously worked in justice, health, and childcare policy.
Samantha Williamson
Originally an investment banker with Goldman Sachs in positions across corporate finance, equities and private wealth management, Samantha has extensive experience in complex financial transactions, developing client relationships and risk management. She holds a Masters in Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College London, which focused on mental health and capacity law, end of life and public health and autonomy. She navigated the palliative health system as carer for her father and supports others as a Macmillan Information and Support Officer. She believes strongly in helping to enhance and empower people in their later life. Samantha sits as a Magistrate in Central London criminal courts.
Richard Hawes
Richard began his career as a nurse before moving into the care sector 20 years ago, and in recent years he has concentrated on quality assurance and care improvement. Richard has worked with Barchester Healthcare, Caring Homes and the Orders of St John Care Trust. As the Chief Executive of Elizabeth Finn Homes Limited, he was responsible for the continuous improvement in the services offered to the residents. Richard has been a trustee of the charity since 2019.
Professional support
In addition, Care Rights UK depends on invaluable professional help from:
Mike Williams, Civic Associates, Website Consultant
Georges Olivier, AAYG Ltd, Accounts Maintenance
David Terry FCA, Ramon Lee & Partners, Independent Examiner
Bob Walters, Video Producer Consultant
Emma Jones, Legal Consultant
Beatrice Morgan, Legal Consultant
Rebecca Middleton, Database Consultant
Jacky Chapman, Photographer
Charles Stanley, Investment Managers
Cyber Group, IT support
Amazing regular volunteers
Sue Toole
Francesca Grandi