OUR TEAM

Ro (Trustee)

Ro is a qualified paediatrician who now works in mental health. She worked in a few children’s hospitals around Christmas time, and when she later worked in an adolescent mental health unit at Christmas time, she was surprised at how different it was to a children’s general hospital ward, in terms of the atmosphere, gifts, donations, visitors, and charities. She felt like society was either completely unaware that children spend Christmas in mental health hospitals as well as general hospitals, or that these children get forgotten about. Ro posted about this concern online, and was fortunately spurred on by some wonderful people to address the inequality. Matt, Lauren (former trustee) and others kept the momentum going, put a lot of work in, and Christmas For CAMHS was born.

Matt (Trustee)

Matt spent a couple of years in his mid-twenties working in primary schools and studying education, but most of his adult life has been in office admin and customer service. He has experienced depression himself and doesn’t think any child in a vulnerable mental state should feel alone, especially through the festive period. “When Ro first made me aware that young people in CAMHS units were being forgotten at Christmas, I had a strong feeling that if there was anything I could do to change this, I should do it”.

Yvette (Trustee)

Yvette is a journalist and podcaster who writes for publications including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Metro and National Geographic. She has bipolar disorder type one and binge eating disorder. She co-founded and co-hosted Metro’s mental health podcast, Mentally Yours and has co-hosted psychosis podcast Reality Tourists. She loves Christmas and is passionate about the charity’s mission. “Christmas for CAMHS is a beacon of light for those in hospital over the festive season. Having spent time in a CAMHS unit which saved my life as a teenager I hope I can pay it forward and encourage others to support this fantastic charity.”

Charli (Trustee)

Charli is a neurodivergent and disabled speaker, writer & creative. After their own CAMHS admission as a teenager, they have spent the last four years working in lived experience around the psychiatric system, autism, and human rights. Their first book, All Tangled Up in Autism & Chronic Illness, was released in 2023, and they have bylines in outlets such as The i, Digital Spy, and the Metro. "My admission was during Christmas, and it was a particularly dark time for me and my family. The gifting by Christmas for CAMHS is not just about the gift, it's about connection, belonging, and hope - and that's something I truly believe in."

Naomi (Trustee)

Naomi has her own lived experience of mental health difficulties and autism, and is a passionate activist and podcaster. She’s spent the last few years working in the mental healthcare sector for charities in a variety of roles covering areas such as co-production, forensic/prison mental health services and young people’s mental health. “I know how isolating it can feel suffering with poor mental health as a young person, and I have seen first-hand the stigma and inequalities that sadly exist within mental health services. I truly believe the work Christmas for CAMHS does will make such a difference to the thousands of young people who are in mental health hospitals, and I’m excited to be a part of that!”

Jess (Head Elf)

Jess is a Creative Project Manager who works with small charities and arts organisations to help them make the magic happen - everything from logistics and design to consultancy and event management (and most things in between!). Jess began as a volunteer for Christmas For CAMHS and now is the charity’s Head Elf and sole member of freelance staff. “The work Christmas For CAMHS does is absolutely essential and truly changes lives - it has such a positive impact year on year. We must do all we can to keep it going.”