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”. ​

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.
​Tim Blair
Tim worked for many years as a Company Secretary in the City and, more recently, was the driving force behind a project to build a new children’s hospice in south London for a well-established regional charity.  He came to know about Embracing Age through his wife, Jude, who is an Embracing Age care home befriender in Hampton.   He is passionate about the need to make a difference in the lives of frail, lonely and isolated older people often living with complex conditions and those with no remaining living relatives.