Laura Lewis CEO Expand Laura joined Daisy's Dream in the summer of 2022 and is committed to ensuring that Daisy’s Dream provides a wide range of help and guidance to as many families and professionals as possible. Having experienced the sudden death of her own father as a teenager, she is keen that our charity is able to be responsive and reassuring to children and young people during some of the toughest of times. Laura brings with her a wealth of knowledge of both working with young people and charity leadership, having spent 18 years working across a range of settings and roles, including other voluntary organisations, schools and children's services. As CEO her job is to make sure that the charity can keep providing quality support whilst identifying opportunities to enhance what we can do.
Sarah L Finance & Administration Manager Expand Sarah has worked for Daisy’s Dream for over twenty years and has seen the charity grow and evolve over that time. Sarah has created and developed the finance department and has implemented many new systems and processes. Before working for Daisy’s Dream Sarah worked in the corporate world and for the NHS. In her spare time Sarah enjoys walking her dog and learning to play the ukulele.
Charlotte M Administrator Expand Charlotte joined the team at Daisy’s Dream in October 2022, as the Administrator. Charlotte provides administrative support to the charity and is often the first person families and professionals will speak to over the phone or via email when contacting us. Prior to working for Daisy’s Dream, Charlotte has worked in administrative roles within other children’s charities, a nursery and a children's centre. Outside of work, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her family and reading a good book with a cup of tea!
Wendy Service Team Leader Expand Wendy joined Daisy’s Dream 7 years ago and has had a long career working with children and families in different capacities as a nursery nurse, family centre manager, social worker, team manager and as a therapist with children who have been adopted. Wendy's extensive experience working with children means she really understands that bereavement and loss is really hard for them and their families. Wendy was delighted to work for Daisy’s Dream, as she felt she could really make a difference to children’s lives and loves the fact that Daisy’s Dream is a small charity with a great ethos. Wendy wants to help children lead a successful, albeit a different, life to the one they thought they might have. She believes that giving children time, space and a voice can really help and enable them to heal. Wendy has published a book called ‘Its not fair’ ;a book for children and for those helping them after someone has died .
Tricia Therapeutic Practitioner Expand Tricia joined Daisy's Dream 11 years ago and has had a long career working with children and families in different capacities. Prior to training, and qualifying, as a social worker, during her children's pre-school years, she worked as a volunteer with the Samaritans and, together with her husband, provided foster care to teenagers. Tricia has worked with children, young people and their families in a variety of social work roles, supporting vulnerable children and their families and adoption. A significant part of Tricia's work, in her adoption role, was providing therapy to adopted children. Tricia's experience of working with children in different capacities over a long period of time, and her own experience of having been adopted, she understands the challenges that bereavement and loss brings to children and their families. Tricia finds working for Daisy's Dream very rewarding. She believes our small charity provides the opportunity for children and young people, who are bereaved or are facing bereavement, to have the time and space to enable them to begin the process of healing. Adjusting to a 'new normal' in their lives, when their worlds have been turned upside down is extremely difficult for them and Tricia never fails to be impressed by their resilience.
Claire Therapeutic Practitioner Expand Claire has been working at Daisy's Dream as a Therapeutic Practitioner since October 2020. She provides bereavement support for children and young people and their families. Claire enjoys meeting children and young people from across all areas of Berkshire, listening to their own personal experiences of grief and providing therapeutic support during tough, sad and difficult times. Before joining Daisy's Dream, Claire worked as a senior social worker for Children Services in their child protection, fostering and adoption teams. Additionally, she has worked to support children and young people in respite care settings and within the community.
Karen Therapeutic Practitioner Expand Karen is a qualified Social Worker and has been working and supporting children and young people and their families for over 16 years and joined Daisy’s Dream in 2013. Karen is proud to be part of the dedicated Service Team who offer therapeutic and practical support to children and young people and their families when someone has died, or they have a serious illness, and encouraging them to express their feelings and emotions to help them work through challenging times. This includes telephone support, one to one counselling, and hosting a range of group events tailored to suit all ages. The Daisy’s Dream Service Team offers a unique and invaluable resource within the Berkshire area, and as an integral member of the Team, Karen looks forward to being part of the Charity’s future successes. Karen also likes to dabble in DIY and Decoupage when she can find the time!
Olivia Therapeutic Practitioner Expand Olivia joined Daisy’s Dream in November 2020 as a Therapeutic Practitioner. Her role is to support bereaved families by providing telephone advice, 1:1 and group work. Before joining Daisy’s Dream, Olivia worked as a social worker within a child protection team, following a career change after the deaths of two family members in 2015. She has experience working in the public and private sectors in a variety of roles from being a teaching assistant to HR to data analysis. Her role at Daisy’s Dream draws on her experience gained in other sectors and she appreciates being able to provide calm, consistent and empathetic support to children during tough times. Olivia grew up in Ascot and spent many happy days walking in Windsor Great Park. She has lived in many parts of the UK before moving back to Berkshire in 2016. She is a graduate of the Universities of Cambridge, Manchester and Royal Holloway and committed to lifelong learning and education. Outside of work, Olivia can be found with her dog and a backpack exploring the local countryside or planning her next adventure, as she is a keen traveller.
Jo Community Fundraiser Expand Jo has been with Daisy’s Dream since autumn 2021 and is our Community Fundraiser. She really enjoys getting out and about, meeting people in the community and raising awareness of the work the charity does. Jo has previously worked for Cancer Research UK as a Supplier Manager and as a Contract Manager for M&G, and her relationship skills and experience have really been put to good use, working with our volunteers and supporters, as well as fundraisers and the general public at local events across Berkshire. Jo is also a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and arranges community litter picks in her spare time, as well as being a West Berkshire District Councillor, so she has plenty to keep her busy!
Zoe Corporate Fundraiser Expand Zoe has been with Daisy’s Dream since 2014. Joining as an East Berkshire Fundraiser and in recent years moving on to being the first Corporate Fundraiser for the Charity. Zoe is responsible for working with local business to help financially support Daisy’s Dream. Zoe came from many years of a Travel Industry background, but wanted to move from the corporate world to the charity sector to bring her sales skills in to help local children who are in need of support. Outside of work and family life Zoe is most happiest with all things Disney and being on a walk with her Dog!
Vicky Fundraising Manager Expand Vicky has been a member of the Fundraising Team since January 2018. Having started as a regional fundraiser covering West Berkshire, she then developed the Daisy's Dream events portfolio before taking on the role of Fundraising Manager in April 2023. As an adventurous and outdoor loving person herself, in 2022 Vicky took on the virtual London Marathon to raise funds for Daisy’s Dream. Prior to joining Daisy’s Dream, Vicky’s background was in corporate sales and marketing, working for organisations such as Diageo and PepsiCo over a ten year period. Her application to join the Fundraising Team was as a result of seeing first-hand the positive impact the charity has with bereaved children and their families; Vicky is close friends with two families who have experienced a bereavement and found the services of Daisy’s Dream to be a lifeline.