About us
The Rees Foundation exists to provide life-long help and support to those with care experience.  We are continuously developing our services to meet as many needs as possible.  We want to help make a difference, to help care experienced people thrive.

Meet the team - play this video clip...

Rees staff team

Anna Griffiths – Project Co-ordinator
Ashleigh Baker – Project Support Worker
Becky Dashfield – Social Media & Marketing Manager
Charlotte Ebanks – Support Worker
Claire Banner – Head of HR
Eva Bowring – Project Co-ordinator
Faye Francis – Business Support
Fiona MacNeil – Head of Income and Development
Isobel McFaul – Senior Fundraising Officer
Jemma Shone – Training Co-ordinator
Jenny Hughes – Senior Finance Officer
Jo Street – Administrative Officer
Kate Reynolds – Support Worker
Kathryn Mylott – HR Generalist
​Kerry Nicholl – Head of Service Delivery
Lucy Buckland – Careers Mentor
Luke Chapman – Advisory Head of Innovation
Magda Orlicka – Marketing Officer
Matthew Williams – Finance Director
Melody Douglas – Chief Executive Officer
Nathan Parker – Engagement Officer
Polly Jones – Service Development Officer
Rae Howard-Louvaine – Senior Engagement Officer
Sarah Collett – Business Development Manager
Sherrie Spence – Support Worker
​Steve Kuczerawy – Management Accountant
We also work with a number of independent consultants and are extremely grateful to our wonderful volunteers and supporters.

Rees Trustees

Jan Rees OBE – Founder
Jan Rees is widely considered a pioneer in developing therapeutic foster care services and specialist support for children and families, not just in the UK but around the world. In 2016 Jan was recognised and honoured for her services to fostering and support to care leavers by being awarded an OBE.
Jim Robinson - Chair
Retired CEO England Women’s Golf Association. A highly experienced and successful Senior Executive and Non-executive Director who has worked in private, public, not-for-profit and charity sectors.
Mike O'Hara - Vice Chair
​Passionate about mental health based on his own lived experience, combined with 13+ years of service in the Royal Air Force. Mike won the 2020 Legal and General Inspiration Award and was recognized in the 2022 Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his services to mental health.
Kirsty Watson
​Diverse experience in social pastoral care, media, and e-commerce. 
Currently providing free services to communities to help build careers and confidence. Kirsty is a lifelong learner and is a PhD student with research focused on entrepreneurial skills of individuals in marginalised communities.
Nick Cook
​The Director of Young People’s Services for a national children’s charity. An experienced senior leader, having worked in both the voluntary and community and statutory sectors, as well as previously being a Trustee and Non-Executive Director for a number of charities and organisations. 
Rupert Bertie
Retired social worker with 28 years of social work and senior management experience in the local authority and independent sector.
Zoe Richardson
Over 20 years’ experience in the charity and public sectors working for a wide variety of organisations. As a care experienced person herself, Zoe is very passionate about social justice and giving people who are excluded from the mainstream opportunities to grow. Zoe has been the Deputy CEO across two social care charities in the West Midlands for the last 5 years and is the Chair of a Housing Association. 

Rees Ambassadors

Alison Poole
I am a care experienced person, having been placed into foster care at the age of 13 until leaving to live independently at the age of 17. I became an ambassador as I strongly believe its important for CEP of any age to not just be able to access practical support but also the emotional support that can be gained by linking with people who share similar experiences.
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Brett Service
Hello, my name is Brett and I am a CEP Ambassador for the Rees Foundation. I became an Ambassador in July 2019 as I am passionate that all CEP across the country should be able to get the help and support that they need to succeed in life. For my day job, I work in the UK Civil Service as a Personal Assistant supporting two Senior Civil Servants and their teams with their work priorities.
David Akinsanya
David began campaigning aged 14 via a social worker. He was the secretary of “Who Cares” Essex who ran a group for kids in care. 
Later in life, David helped to set up Stonewall housing Association, Who Cares? Magazine and served 12 years on the board of the Princes Trust. ​David worked in broadcasting for 30 years – working his way up from junior researcher to producer/director/reporter. Recently, David has worked for various authorities making films with young people and educating social workers.
Jackie McCartney
Proud mother of two. Self-employed, Ofsted registered Childminder of 20 years. Residential care from 5 yrs to 16 yrs in 70’s/80’s.
Jacqui Adams
Retired, worked with learning disabled adults. Kinship care and residential units until 18. Interests are animals, nature, music. Likes challenges.
​Jacqui
I'm an independent member of a Fostering Panel after completing Rees training. Really happy to be a Rees Ambassador and be able to support the work of the organisation. I'm care experienced, both foster care and children’s homes. Enjoy family, friends and walking. 
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Matthew Dalton
I live with my girlfriend and hamster. I am care experienced and a self-employed lived experience consultant. I am working towards building my own business providing services to organisations to contribute to social impact change. Whilst empathy and professionalism are of great value, there is a gap in services that needs bridging, which is the voice of lived experiences.
Sarah Francis
I am passionate about sharing my care experience story to help make a difference within my ambassador role. Over the years I have found huge freedom which has empowered me to make sense of my history, my heritage and who I am today. I enjoy walking, reading but most of all being that difference!
Zena Young
I 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.
I enjoy photography, walking dogs and camping holidays when the sun shines. I wanted to become an ambassador for Rees organisation as it's so supportive and something I wish was around when I was a young care leaver.