Meet the Team

Samantha is a trans female who joined the Chrysalis board as a trustee in April 2018. Samantha used to be a group member and received fantastic support when she needed it most. Samantha wanted to give back to the charity that helped her and help deliver that support to others sharing her journey. Samantha brings her experience with Microsoft Office & Sharepoint, GDPR information and 1^st line technical support, as well as experience in IT and Communication Sales/Support/Policies to the governance of Chrysalis as well as actively promoting the charity at networking and community events.

Paul is a Director of Workforce, Organisational Development and Communications at Southern Health NHS FT, a partner organisation of Chrysalis. He has worked in and around the NHS for all his working life and one area he is both passionate about and responsible for in the Trust is inclusion and social justice. Paul abhors intolerance and believes in the values and value of the services that Chrysalis provides. Paul has joined the Chrysalis board to give his skills and time to complement the rest of the board members and to help move Chrysalis forward.

Jenny lives in Stoke-on-Trent, she is 52 and transitioned in 2006. She has been in the NHS since 1987, having previously worked caring for people with a learning disability. For the last 20 years her role has been as a seconded trade union representative (UNISON) supporting NHS members with a wide variety of workplace issues, and through this role she has been a sitting member of the Trust board for her main NHS employer. In my trade union she has held leadership roles locally and regionally and was the first trans person to have been elected to UNISONs national healthcare executive committee. She is involved in UNISONs LGBT+ self-organised group and has spoken at many events and conferences on trans rights and inclusion. She was particularly proud to have played a key part speaking at the 2018 Trades Union Congress on a motion that formed policy supporting the reform of the Gender Recognition Act. She has developed a trans awareness training session that she delivers across the NHS in North Staffordshire, including a session for final year mental health nursing students. In 2018 she was honoured to receive the Stonewall North West workplace role model award.

Jack first started his transition in 2013, he wanted to become a trustee for Chrysalis because he witnessed first-hand certain areas where support was lacking for gender questioning people. Many people are left in limbo at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Transitioning is a long process and no two journeys are the same that’s why charities like Chrysalis are vital.

Professionally Jack works for a charity supporting the homeless from the streets into accommodation, no two days are the same and in this role he care co-ordinates individuals with various complex needs. He has noticed a rise in homelessness among the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically gender questioning individuals.

Scott has been a police officer with Hampshire Constabulary for 22 years. In addition to his core role Scott co-chairs the Hampshire Constabulary LGBT+ Resource Group, leading around 100 Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLOs) to provide support and advice to colleagues and victims on domestic abuse and hate crimes affecting LGBT+ communities. Scott sits on the Hate Crime group for Hampshire Constabulary, working to equip colleagues to provide an excellent response to hate crime. Scott has recently joined the board and brings his knowledge of policing and the criminal justice system to the group. He is looking forward to developing the excellent relationship between the force and Chrysalis

Andy has worked in Health for 25+ Years within the NHS and a number of Private Healthcare organisations. Roles, at all organisation levels, have covered a broad spectrum of service delivery & development, strategy, mergers and acquisition, finance and more recently transformation and innovation. Andy works for Southern Health Foundation NHS FT and is Quality & Innovation Lead for IAPT and related psychology services.

As a Qualified Accountant Andy will support the Chrysalis Board and organisation in the delivery of the charities financial, commercial and governance requirements alongside supporting with his broader experience in healthcare & health systems, specialising in Mental Health provision.

Chrysalis provides an invaluable service to so many individuals, families and friends who are all on their own and individual transition journey(s); Andy wanted to join Chrysalis to support the organisation in its mission to ensure the support, guidance and help was there for all in their moment(s) of need.

Can you offer Chrysalis your time, expertise and influence? Want to become a board member? Contact info@chrysalisgim.org.uk for more information