Let's Connect
Rees Foundation run a number of groups called 'Let's Connect', which allow you to connect with other members of the care experienced community. We find that these networks can lead to life-long and empowering friendships.
 
The groups are facilitated using a team who may be care experienced or individuals who are experienced by profession, with the ultimate aim of creating a safe place where care experienced people can meet to discuss matters of interest to them.

If you would like to join one of our groups, just click here and follow the instructions.

What's coming up?

Meet our Let's Connect Team

​Polly Jones - Let's Connect Co-ordinator

Dr Rachel - Professional Neuropyschologist
Polly is the Let's Connect Co-ordinator at the Rees Foundation and is in charge of pulling all of the sessions together.

You will see Polly in attendance at most of the Let's Connect sessions, so if you do have any questions, feel free to contact her!
Dr Rachel is a neuroscientist who specialises in transforming human beings. She has a special passion in working with people who have experienced trauma or who just find living in an increasingly abnormal environment too difficult.

​She thinks different is good and that is where the magic happens. She has a love of coffee, dark chocolate (over 85%) and dystopian novels.
 

Jackie McCartney - Rees Ambassador

Jackie McCartney is a Rees Ambassador and runs our Access to Records Support Session. When Jackie was 50, she went looking for answers to put the puzzle pieces together and confirm her memories to the version she was told.
 
Jackie says she was fortunate to be able to do this, but was left shocked, let down and alone. She didn't have anyone to talk to, or anyone who would really understood her journey. She was left with a whole rollercoaster of emotions and does not want anyone else to feel alone like she did. That is why she chooses to run this session, so she can help others going through the same thing.

Naomi Kitchen - Panel Forum Host

Naomi Kitchen has worked in social work for nearly 30 years, starting as a children's social worker before moving to a Family Centre, where she undertook direct work, as well as completing assessments for Court and Case Conferences. She then moved into Fostering, working firstly as a supervising social worker then in recruitment and assessment. Finally she branched out into Independent Social Work undertaking Fostering assessments, supervising student social workers, chairing Foster Carer reviews and quality assuring fostering assessments. Currently she works as a Foster Panel Chair and as a panel member for the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). She has experience of growing up in kinship care.

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Lisa - Mindfullness

Zena - Circle of Support
Lisa has a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health and has spent many years working in the NHS in many different roles from Nurse Adviser, Trainer to Alcohol Liaison Nurse.

Lisa will be guiding you through 20 minute 'Mindfullness' sessions, talking you through calming and stress release techniques, leaving you feeling relaxed!
Zena hosts our monthly Circle of Support session. She was in foster care from age 3 yrs to 18 and have been a foster panel member for over 10 years. I’m a parent of two adult children.

She enjoys photography, walking dogs and camping holidays when the sun shines.

Mary-Anne Hodd - care experienced trainer

Mary is a care experienced teacher and trainer, who is passionate about connecting lived experience and psychology, where the child’s voice is the most important one in the room.

​She delivers training with organisations that work with and around young people in care, on subjects such as identity, language and seeing us beyond our trauma.

Rees Support 
​Team

Our support team host a Facebook Live drop-in clinic once a month. This is your chance to ask the support team questions around what support we can offer and how we can help you.

The team cover a variety of projects such as financial assistance, educational grants, our let's connect sessions, emotional support, cafe's and our panel training/forum.
To join any of our online sessions, please click here and follow the instructions.