Our Director

Tina English
Tina trained as a nurse many years ago and specialised in the care of the elderly. Following a career break to raise three children she worked in the third sector for local charities supporting older people, setting up projects for the lonely and isolated. She recently completed a Masters Degree in Charity Management. Her Christian faith, coupled with a big heart for the older generation inspired her to establish Embracing Age. You can read Tina's blog here.

Our Volunteer Co-ordinator

Wendy Simeon
Wendy comes from a background in Mental Health and Care with the Elderly. Her role will be matching volunteers with care homes and giving support to both volunteers and care homes. Through Wendy’s work with the elderly she witnessed how easily they can feel isolated and the importance of having someone to talk to. Wendy believes, “Older people have so much wisdom to share and give, and I would like to help them to continue to do that”. ​

Care Home Friends National Co-ordinator

Jen Carter
​Jen comes from a background of working in churches and charities for the last 10 years. Her role is to help churches who are exploring the idea of setting up a Care Home Friends in their area and to support projects which are already up and running. Jen's dad spent the last season of his life in a care home and that's one of the reasons why she's so passionate about Care Home Friends as, "it so positively impacts individuals, giving them someone to talk to, and letting them know that they still matter and have a value."

Our Trustees

Jenny Eades
Jenny is our Chair of Trustees. She is a local GP and mum, and a trustee of Vineyard Community Centre.  Living and working in the borough gives her a good appreciation of the support currently available to older people and she strongly backs Embracing Age as it strives to address unmet needs.
Matt Harris
​Matt has spent most of his life living in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Having moved away with the family, he returned to study English & Classics at St Mary’s University where he met his wife, Gemma. Now well into his thirties, he attends Church of the Living God in Twickenham and works as Commissioning Editor for an aviation magazine and website. His active hobbies include ancestry, macro photography and writing. Matt has a big heart for people, a creative eye and great marketing skills.
​Karen Block
Karen was brought up in Richmond and lives in the borough with her two daughters and extended family. She is a committed member of Holy Trinity Richmond and works for a Christian charity supporting vulnerable local families. She has a real heart for the elderly and the value they bring to community and family life.
Nicole Stout
Nicole worked for 13 years in investment management before taking a career break to raise her daughter. She is also a trustee for Kytes, a grant-giving charity set up to help support the needs of paraplegics. Through personal experience, she has seen the challenges of caring for elderly people, as well as the positive impact visits and companionship can have.