GROWING HOPE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- SPEECH and LANGUAGE THERAPIST & CLINIC MANAGER KING's CROSS
Abi is an experienced children's Speech and Language Therapist at Growing Hope King's Cross, with a specialism in Autism. She has a passion for working with children and their families, supporting the development of communication skills so that everyone can understand others and be understood themselves. She has training and clinical experience using a variety of different therapeutic approaches.
Alley Akoh is a freelance Art Therapist with Growing Hope High Wycombe. She has experience working with children in schools, bereavement work and offering Art Therapy to children who have additional needs. She has a Masters in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University and is passionate about offering a safe place for children and families to express themselves. She believes that art making and art materials can help children to process their feelings and support family communication, fostering learning and emotional growth.
Job Titles:
- Design and Campaigns Officer
Anna is the Design and Campaigns Officer at Growing Hope. Anna has had a rich and varied career working in Fashion Design, Graphics and Marketing. She is now bringing her experience to the Growing Hope team by planning and implementing marketing strategies as well as creating high quality marketing materials that enable keys messages of the organisation to be shared widely amongst both new and existing stakeholders. Anna is passionate about facilitating positive change within families and communities and is excited to play a part in a team whose key mission is just that!
Bambi French is wife, mum of one and special needs teacher to many! When she was 15 years old, Bambi was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition called Stargardts Disease. Over the years, her level of vision has deteriorated and even though the challenges of sight loss have on many occasions caused her to want to give up, a combination of her Christian faith, determination and support from those closest to her, she has been able to achieve more than she ever thought would be possible. In response to this need, Bambi is building a coaching practice and is the host of The She is a VIP Podcast, where the central mission is to help visually impaired women and girls embrace all that they are, discover their purpose and make an impact in the lives of others.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
Beth is a Speech and Language Therapist at Growing Hope King's Cross. She has experience working with children with a range of needs, with a specialism in Developmental Language Disorder. She has training and experience in a variety of therapeutic techniques and is passionate about providing therapy that is both engaging and functional to help individuals reach their communication goals.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Communications Officer
- Founder
- OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Dr Naomi Graham is Growing Hope's CEO - she founded the charity in 2017. Naomi is a children's occupational therapist with several years of clinical experience, including training in sensory integration, attachment and various therapy interventions. Naomi has a Masters in health and rehabilitation, and a PhD in the experience of play for children with cerebral palsy.
Naomi (known as Naz) is the Communications Officer at Growing Hope. Since graduating with an MA in English Literature and Language, she has explored a career in communications and development, as well as being a part time photographer. She is excited about bringing her interests, her career experience so far, and her faith together to help make a positive difference for families through Growing Hope.
Ishmael currently works in advertising as a campaign manager and has a background in communications working within the public, private and charity sectors. Ishmael is excited to support the work of Growing Hope.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Founder & CEO Dr Naomi Graham
Jade joined Growing Hope in June 2022 as a PA for the CEO and founder Dr Naomi Graham. Jade has a passion for supporting children and their families and has an extensive background in safeguarding and child protection services. Jade is also passionate in supporting children and adults with additional needs and disabilities and has 2 amazing children, one of whom is Autistic. Jade has previously accessed Growing Hope services with her son prior to coming to work with us and can therefore also provide another lens as a parent / service user.
Job Titles:
- Network Development Manager
Jennie is the Network Development Manager at Growing Hope. She has worked over 10 years in the NHS, mostly as a Play Specialist advocating for children within the healthcare setting. She has also worked for her previous church in Canterbury, leading their children's ministry program. Jennie is looking forward to bringing her practical knowledge to help build connections with churches and beyond throughout the UK.
Jess is a freelance Child Counsellor for Growing Hope King's Cross. She trained with Place2Be. She works with children, young people and parents, using play and art as well as talking in her sessions. She is also a Circle of Security facilitator.
Joanna is a freelance Music Therapist with Growing Hope King's Cross. She has a Masters from the University of the West of England in Music Therapy, and experience working with children with additional needs and providing bereavement support. She has a person-centred approach, celebrating every individual's story of success, and strongly believes that music can be used to create a safe place for relationships to be reimagined, rebuilt, and repaired. Joanna lives in West London and attends St Mary's London.
Joojo is passionate about the church's active involvement in the reduction of health inequalities within local communities and has actively been involved in such projects. He has a wealth of experience supporting the recovery of individuals within prisons and local communities across the UK struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. He currently works as the regional apprenticeship lead within a national organisation that supports the reduction of disparities and health inequalities in local communities.
Lois is part of the Kings Cross Church staff team. Prior to this role, she worked in a charity legal department as a solicitor. She loves the impact that Growing Hope is having on children and young people with additional needs and their families.
Louise joined Growing Hope High Wycombe in October 2022. She has worked for over 25 years as a Music Therapist in specialist nurseries, schools and post 16 provisions for children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Autism, and Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. She has SENCO experience and also works within the Family Support Team offering emotional and practical support to parents and siblings. Her additional training includes Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Naomi (known as Naz) is the Communications Officer at Growing Hope. Since graduating with an MA in English Literature and Language, she has explored a career in communications and development, as well as being a part time photographer. She is excited about bringing her interests, her career experience so far, and her faith together to help make a positive difference for families through Growing Hope.
Paul is a chartered accountant and he has had a number of senior roles within the accountancy profession and in commerce. Most recently he worked as Finance Director for a charitable trust, where he was responsible for all the financial aspects of thirty academies. Paul has also acted as a chair of governors and he is a National Leader of Governance.
Rebecca, known as ‘Reb' is an Occupational Therapist at Growing Hope King's Cross. Reb is enthusiastic about enabling and equipping children and young people to do the things they need, want, and enjoy doing.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist & Clinic Manager High Wycombe
Rosalyn is a Speech and Language Therapist at Growing Hope High Wycombe with experience of working with primary and secondary aged children with a variety of difficulties and needs. She has training and experience of using a range of therapeutic approaches and is particularly keen to make sessions fun and engaging. Rosalyn is passionate about providing support for children and their families and helping them to reach their communication goals.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapist at Growing Hope High Wycombe
Sophie is an Occupational Therapist at Growing Hope High Wycombe. She is passionate about enabling children to do the things they love. She is also studying for her MSc to further her knowledge to be able to provide further support for children.
Job Titles:
- FINANCE OFFICER
- Finance Officer at Growing Hope Umbrella
Tina is the Finance Officer at Growing Hope Umbrella. She is a professionally qualified accountant and has had extensive experience in Audit, Financial and Management Accounting. She has experience of working with children that present with special needs and is excited about Growing Hope's work with families.
Job Titles:
- Director of Training & Development
Vicki joined Growing Hope in June 2022. She is passionate about helping others to reach their potential as well as recognising opportunities for growth and development within an organisation. Vicki brings broad experience from her varied career beginning in the events industry and over the last 7 years in the charity sector. Vicki is regularly involved in the worship team of a local church in South East London where her husband is Worship Director and they have two lively and brilliant boys!