Meet the Team

Dympna is passionate about mental wellbeing in its broadest sense. She has trained and worked in therapeutic settings, and applied that expertise across a variety of workplaces as an organisational consultant.

She believes our minds are our most powerful resource, shaping how we experience the world. Dympna holds a BA in Psychology and Philosophy (University College Dublin), an MA in Psychology (Tavistock Institute, London), a Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking, and professional training in Jungian psychoanalysis.

Georgie brings a wealth of experience from across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

At Our Time Charity, she oversees operations, HR, IT, finance and governance, helping the organisation run smoothly and effectively. She’s passionate about raising awareness of how poor mental health affects family life and children, having seen its impact first hand, and believes no child should have to carry that responsibility alone.

Ellena is an experienced senior brand, marketing, and communications leader with over 17 years working across charities, agencies and purpose-led organisations. She specialises in building bold, insight-led brand and marketing strategies that drive awareness and engagement with social issues.

She has led rebrands, major public campaigns and reshaped media relations programmes to drive engagement and reach diverse audiences. Ellena is passionate about amplifying lived-experience voices, purposeful storytelling and using strategic creativity to accelerate social impact. At Our Time, Ellena leads communications planning, brand, and communicating charitable impact. 

With a career centred around strengthening communities, improving mental health and empowering others, Fred is passionate about developing initiatives that improve outcomes for children, young people and families. He is driven by creating sustainable change, building collaborative partnerships and ensuring support reaches the communities who need it most.

At Our Time, Fred works with commissioners, local authorities and partner organisations to expand access to evidence-informed programmes, helping to embed early support and create lasting impact for families affected by parental mental illness.

Ollie has worked in the charity sector for a decade in a variety of roles including Project Management, ICT development, Grant Making, and Fundraising. 

Ollie works as the Digital Transformation Officer at Our Time, where he is responsible for driving digital change and researching innovative ways to enhance how the charity leverages technology. Passionate about optimising systems and processes, Ollie develops practical tools that empower colleagues to achieve their goals and work more efficiently. He has a particular interest in utilising emerging technologies to improve accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that individuals who require additional or alternative support have the tools they need to thrive. Outside of Our Time, Ollie enjoys reading (with a collection of nearly 2000 books), developing Bookish apps, and saying Hello to every dog he meets.

A passionate designer, illustrator and animator, Owen applies his artistic talent to Our Time Charity’s animations, short films and e-Learning.

Owen takes pride in seeing his work start conversations about mental health amongst children and young people, and encourage more empathy in relation to mental health problems.

Hannah is a social media marketing and digital communications professional with almost a decade of experience across media agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. She specialises in translating complex social issues into engaging digital narratives that drive awareness and support. 

At Our Time, Hannah coordinates our social media presence, delivers multi-channel communications, and the digital storytelling that highlights our charitable impact.

A longstanding leader in the voluntary sector, Jim has spent his career creating inclusive, meaningful opportunities for children, young people and families.

He has been delivering the KidsTime programme since 2015 and now leads its national development. With a career spanning senior roles across the sector, Jim brings deep experience in designing and growing community programmes. He’s particularly driven by breaking down barriers to participation and helping people develop in mind, body, and soul.

Kat is an experienced primary school teacher and assessment leader with a strong background in staff development and family support.

She is passionate about improving children’s understanding of their mental health needs and creating learning environments where they feel supported. At Our Time, she manages the charity’s training and education programme, helping schools better understand and support children’s mental wellbeing.

Ella brings extensive experience from across the charity sector, alongside a strong background in community engagement, volunteer support and facilitation.

She is particularly committed to working with children and families affected by parental mental illness, and to creating spaces where everyone feels heard, understood and supported. Ella has a strong interest in the power of storytelling to connect people, create understanding and help individuals make sense of their experiences, and she brings this belief into her work.

Emma has a broad background in administration, coordination, communications and operational support across the charity and private sectors.

She enjoys bringing organisation and structure to busy environments and takes pride in helping teams work effectively behind the scenes, getting stuck in wherever support is needed. Emma is passionate about purpose-driven organisations and values the opportunity to contribute to work that makes a positive difference to people’s lives.

Bernie has worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years, including time as a grant maker and a fundraiser—the former with BBC Children in Need, the latter with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

She also worked with Craigmyle, one of the UK’s oldest fundraising consultancies. An experienced chair and trustee, she is really pleased to be Interim Chair and to be working with such a strong and dedicated team.

Will has worked in the financial services sector for a decade, spending time in London and Bermuda supporting firms to embed strong corporate governance and manage risk.

He brings experience of working with children’s charities in Africa, and is proud to now be supporting a UK-based charity. Will has been a Trustee of Our Time Charity since 2023.

Sophie has a background in funding and communications and currently works for a children’s grant-making charity.

She has lived experience of having a parent with mental health problems and has previously spoken at KidsTime Workshops. Sophie became a Trustee of Our Time Charity in 2022.

“I wish Our Time Charity had existed when I was growing up. It might have helped me understand what was happening and connect with others going through similar challenges. I was so pleased when I came across the charity—it’s great to meet people who are as passionate as I am about getting more recognition for young people who live with this.”

Ed is General Counsel at an international private investment firm and Chief Operating Officer of a UK-based travel business.

He was previously an attorney in the London office of a US law firm, working on complex cross-border acquisitions and financings. Alongside his professional work, Ed has been involved in pro bono legal representation, supporting clients around the world through high-profile charity initiatives. He has been a Trustee of Our Time Charity since 2022.

Mick is Managing Director at a global investment bank, based in London, where he leads the markets execution technology team.

Originally from Newcastle, he now lives in Tunbridge Wells but holds onto his Newcastle United season ticket and regularly makes the trip north to watch matches with family and friends. Throughout his career, Mick has seen the value of volunteering and the difference it can make to charities and social enterprises. He brings that commitment to his role as a Trustee of Our Time Charity.

Beccy has been leading programmes and organisations in the charity sector for 20 years, currently running an arts centre focused on wellbeing. Her work and trustee positions have focused on breaking down barriers for children and young people to achieve their potential and overcome adversities.

She has lived experience of having a parent with mental ill-health; “Our Time Charity would have made a big difference to me when I was a child and I’m so glad it exists now. What Our Time offers is unique and is a lifeline for those struggling in very particular and misunderstood situations”.