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Our staff

Carolyn Brice – Chief Executive

Carolyn brice picI joined The Compassionate Friends very soon after the sudden death of my nine-year-old daughter, Rosie in December 2004. 

I found TCF, and the parents I met there, a lifeline and continued to attend my local support group for a number of years. I became a National Helpline Volunteer in May 2008 and in October 2012 began a role in the National Office, sharing responsibility for administration and finance and then taking on the management of  charity operations. I have degrees in History, Psychology and a PGCE qualification. My previous varied working life – including positions in sales and marketing, publishing, training, teaching and retail – has given me a range of skills and experience to bring to my current role as CEO of The Compassionate Friends in the UK. 

I live in South West London with my partner. My surviving daughter is now grown up but was almost 7 years old when her big sister died. I enjoy painting, sailing, skiing and running – but I am equally happy curled up with a good book! People who know me say I am a motivated, enthusiastic and approachable person. I continue to find it an absolute privilege and an honour to be working alongside so many dedicated volunteers and staff to offer support, understanding and hope to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents.

 

Ruth Mercier - Helpline and Volunteer Manager

Carolyn brice picI joined the TCF staff team in May 2015 as the Helpline Coordinator, working on a part-time basis from home.

My connection with TCF began shortly after the sudden death of our ten-year-old son, Joel, in January 2009. I realised very early on that I would somehow have to ‘survive’ Joel’s death and, alongside the support of friends and family, TCF offers me the opportunity to do so in a way where I feel less alone and better equipped to manage his absence from our lives.

I have many years’ experience in office administration and am also a trained, person-centred counsellor. I am easy going, level headed and have a good sense of humour, enjoying being there for people. I am hoping these combined skills will contribute to being a good team player, to maintaining an efficient, caring Helpline for new and existing bereaved parents and to supporting the wonderful volunteers who keep it going.

I have recently joined a local support group as a co-facilitator and continue to attend a support group.

Originally from Ireland I now live in Surrey with my husband and our daughter who is 19. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, love reading, cinema, theatre and travel, and much enjoy nature and walking. I’m increasingly appreciating the value of just being in the moment with life generally and look forward to contributing to the great work already being done by TCF.

 

Stephen Armstrong - Head of Fundraising

Stephen Armstrong

I joined TCF in April 2017. I am responsible for raising the funds that enable TCF to carry out its work supporting bereaved parents and families.

I have been a fundraiser for over 20 years having fundraised for organisations working in addiction, homelessness, international development and with vulnerable children. I came into fundraising via teaching English to business people and selling language and cultural awareness training to companies in London and the South West.

I live with my partner, a Finnish national. We do not have children, but our family is completed by our two Maine Coons: Sidney from South Africa and Bertie from South Norwood.

When not working, I love going to the theatre and reading (especially on the top deck of London buses!). We also love travelling, more frequently to Uruguay where we are working on our house, built in 1914, in the centre of Montevideo, the capital.

I have lived and worked in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Spain, Finland, the Cook Islands and South Africa.

I am thrilled to have joined TCF and look forward to having communication with you in the future.

 

Sharon Rose - Events Coordinator

I learned of TCF shortly after the suicide of my daughter Emily in 2011 but didn’t become a fully signed up member until several years later.

I have a degree in drama with American studies and for several years worked in theatre and film, then moved into publishing where I worked for Virgin. After the birth of my two children I continued to copy-edit at home and even now complement my part-time work at TCF by working with a biographer and a novelist on their books. I also volunteer at a community centre where I do the washing up after a senior citizens luncheon club.

I used to love reading but since the death of my daughter have found it hard to concentrate enough to read much so I watch vast amounts of TV and go to the cinema and theatre as much as I can. I also took up life drawing a few years ago.

I live in North West London and joined the TCF office team as Events Coordinator in October 2017. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions about forthcoming events.

 

Shirley Gower - Grief Companion Coordinator

I joined The Compassionate Friends in June 2020. My role is to manage, develop and grow the Grief Companion Scheme. Grief companions provide voluntary, informal support and friendship to another more recently bereaved parent.

Having qualified as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist with a long and fulfilling career as a business consultant, my life changed overnight when our daughter Jess was diagnosed with primary bone cancer in August 2009. She died 16 months later aged 14 years old. I have since dedicated myself to supporting bereaved people by establishing a charity called My Blue Heart which aims to provide a way to show others you are grieving and to encourage empathy and support. I hope to combine my personal experiences with my business skills in recruitment, training and coaching to help TCF to grow and reach out to more families impacted by child loss.

I work on a part-time basis from my home in Suffolk where I live with my husband Mic and our youngest daughter Isabelle. We have a border collie named Talli and enjoy long distance walking. Our toughest challenge to date was walking the Pennine Way in torrential rain, 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm just across the Scottish border. I have always loved being outside but especially so since Jess died. I feel closer to her outdoors and find it relaxing and peaceful.

 

David O’Leary - Administration & Data Manager

I joined the TCF team in November 2023 as Administration and Data Manager, overseeing the data quality, administration and internal financial processes for the charity, ensuring smooth operations across the organisation.

With extensive experience in the charity sector, I specialise in CRM (database) management and enjoy working closely with fundraising and finance teams to provide data required for reporting.

In my free time, I enjoy staying active and travelling when I get the chance.

 

Suzanne Cannon - Grief Companion Administrator

I joined the TCF staff team in January 2022 as the part-time Grief Companion Scheme Administrator.

I became a member of TCF shortly after the sudden death of my 22 year old daughter Rebecca in 2014. I immediately joined a wonderful local support group and over the years have attended many supportive retreats; TCF has been such a lifeline for me. In 2020 I felt ready to volunteer as a Grief Companion and in 2021 I trained as a co-facilitator of our group as I wanted to offer my support, compassion and understanding to other bereaved parents.

I have worked for 19 years in administration and regard myself as an organised, efficient and motivated person. I am hoping to utilise the skills and experiences from my previous role and look forward to working with the team and supporting the valuable work of the Grief Companion Scheme.

I live near Dorking in Surrey with my partner. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson live nearby. I enjoy Pilates, cycling, long walks and exploring this beautiful country in our motorhome as I feel nature plays an important part in coping with grief.

 

Annabelle Detain - Events and Community Fundraiser

I joined TCF in July 2024. I am responsible for supporting fundraising events that ensure TCF can continue to provide vital bereavement support.

I spent lots of time volunteering for women’s and human rights charities before beginning my career in fundraising. I have recently moved to London from Brighton, where I spent 7 years studying literature, then international development.

When not working, I can be found in the nearest bookshop or in the gym. 

 

Jo Kitterick - Helpline Coordinator

I first came across TCF after the sudden death of our beautiful two-year-old daughter, Lily, in June 2010. I was handed a TCF information booklet in the hospital just hours after she had died and reading through this provided me with much needed hope, comfort and reassurance in the early days and months that followed.

Since that moment I have held TCF close to my heart, often accessing the online support that is available. In 2021 I joined as a National Helpline Volunteer and in August 2022 I was honored to join the staff team as the Volunteer and Helpline Assistant. Due to family commitments in 2023, I took 12 months off work, very gratefully returning to my role with TCF in 2024.

I have a degree in Sociology, and I hope the combination of my administration, marketing and recruitment background alongside the heartfelt empathy I have for all bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents helps to provide an efficient and caring support service for TCF.

I work on a part time basis from home where I live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with my husband, two younger daughters and our Labrador Retriever, Arthur.

I enjoy helping people and spent a two-year period as a Listening Volunteer for the Samaritans. I mostly love spending time with family and friends, walking, running, yoga, good food, good books, travel, films, dance and theatre. I find peace in nature and solace in finding creative ways to remember our precious girl, Lily.

 

 

 

 

 

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