OUR TRUSTEES

Meet the trustees standing together for women’s mental health

Alexandra Phillips

Chair

Alexandra has joined Wish as a trustee after volunteering for the organisation. She is currently a mental health peer worker in an NHS Trust, and previously worked as a research assistant on a project exploring the impact of the closure of Holloway Prison on the women imprisoned there. In addition to this, Alexandra brings her lived experience of mental health challenges, and the Mental Health System, as well as her knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, to her role as a trustee for WISH. She is particularly passionate about Trauma-Informed approaches to care and addressing systemic inequalities.

Alexandra has training in feminist leadership and brings experience in the areas of managing and supervising staff, team development, research, service user involvement, and policies and systems.

Carina Edwards

Carina Edwards has been working in the mental health sector for 15 years and is passionate about holistic and trauma-informed care. She has worked for several organisations in a lived experience capacity, including Mind, the McPin Foundation, and the British Psychological Society. She also underwent peer-to-peer training with the National Alliance for Mental Illness in the US.

Carina has an MA in Arts, Health, and Wellbeing, which she completed with individuals who have lived experience of severe mental illness. She now creates virtual art exhibitions that showcase the artwork of such individuals. In 2023, she won a Renaissance Award to develop an arts-based consultation in her local psychiatric unit.

Carina has been living with Bipolar Disorder for 17 years and has been detained under the Mental Health Act multiple times.

Christine Spooner

Christine has been on the Board of People First (Self Advocacy) for eight years, and Chair for the last five years.  Christine brings her experience as a trustee and as Chair to support decision-making and the overall management of WISH. Christine is involved in the Peer Leadership Academy Christine is passionate about campaigning and has been involved in many campaigns including the campaign to challenge the Mental Capacity Amendment Bill not being in Easy Read, demonstrating that people with learning difficulties have not been informed or supported.

Dhriti Suresh Eapen

Dhriti’s driving force is challenging injustice and ensuring equity and access to support for those who need it, through amplifying the voices and rights of Global Majority women and marginalised groups.

Dhriti joined WISH as a trustee, with 10 years’ experience working in the charity sector, with particular expertise in ending VAWG, including where this intersects with women’s mental health, homelessness and the criminal justice system. She is experienced in frontline service delivery, operational management, developing and delivering programmes, carrying out research and evaluations and in participatory and co-production methods.

Dhriti is passionate about ensuring women’s voices are centred in policy and practice, core to systems change. WISH’s gender and trauma informed, user-led approach, resonates with Dhriti and she wants to support WISH to ensure it is meeting the needs of all users and is at the forefront of positive change for women’s mental health.

Gulveen Bagri

Gulveen brings a wealth of experience from the commercial world, working in financial services and professional services. She has over 20 years of experience creating digital strategies for organisations , leading digital transformation projects and developing market leading campaigns – all successfully generating income, growth and  brand engagement.

Gulveen is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is a founding Board Trustee of the new charity Board Racial Diversity UK whose mission is to improve diversity at board level. She is a member of UN Women UK and a volunteer at Ideas Foundation charity, working on exciting projects to support diverse talent to enter and thrive in creative industries.

Gulveen will be supporting WISH with digital strategy, marketing and business development.

Robyn Parker

Robyn’s commitment to mental health advocacy began in 2015 after losing a close family member to suicide and witnessing the impact of mental health challenges within her family, including experiences with CAMHS. Her dedication led her to volunteer with The Listening Place, a suicide prevention charity that provides one-on-one support to individuals in crisis. Through her volunteer work and personal experiences, Robyn has gained significant insight into neurodiversity, particularly autism.

Professionally, Robyn works at University College London (UCL) on a project that bridges academic research and government policy to address critical societal issues. Her role equips her with a deep understanding of governmental and policy-making processes, as well as expertise in demonstrating the impact and benefits of various interventions

Sarah Wilson

The work that WISH does supporting women with mental health needs in secure hospitals, prisons, and the community is very close to Sarah’s heart, and she aims to helping WISH to develop and grow.  She is particularly interested in supporting WISH as a user-led organisation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and acted on at all levels. In particular, Sarah hopes to develop campaigns to address the need for all statutory services to be trauma-informed at the point of delivery.

Sarah has a degree in politics and has a real understanding of the legislative process. When she lived in Northern Ireland she was involved with Corrymeela, the Centre of Peace and Reconciliation. Sarah understands the importance of empowering women through exploring and developing positive pathways and employment and has a specific interest in diversity and ensuring that inclusion in WISH is a reality for all marginalised groups of women.

Tracy Piercy

Tracy is a passionate advocate for female empowerment and an award-winning leader for female youth services. With extensive experience supporting women affected by the criminal justice system, Tracy has provided crucial assistance to those in custody, offered vital family support, and aided in successful resettlement. Currently employed as an Employment and Support Coach in London and the South East, Tracy is committed to helping individuals in prisons access education, training, and employment opportunities. She adeptly navigates challenges such as homelessness, financial difficulties, and exploitation, ensuring individuals have the support they need to thrive.

Her background as a Trauma Informed Practitioner equips her to support individuals with complex needs, including those related to offending, mental health, and substance use.

We’re looking for more trustees!

We are looking to recruit up to four new Trustees over the coming year. Find out more here.

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