André Poulie, Co-Founder and Voluntary Director of Theodora UK
In April of 1994, my brother and I had the honour to begin our Giggle Doctor Programme in the UK at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. 30 years later, we also have Theodora Giggle Doctors established and active in Hong Kong, Turkey, Belarus, Italy, Spain, Switzerland. We are most thankful to our generous partners and donors since without them, the existence our charities would have remained a dream.
Holly de la Nougeréde, Interim Chief Operating Officer
I began volunteering as a teenager, then became a professional fundraiser in 2008 and later a trustee too. I have also taken part in physical fundraising challenges and even studied fundraising and communications as a masters degree! All charities I have been involved with have had important health benefits for society, whether mental or physical. Joining Theodora Children’s Charity in 2021 as Fundraising and Communications Manager was a perfect fit for my experience and passion; having repeatedly worked in roles that positively impact children. (we benefit their parents and hospital staff too) I am thrilled to now be the interim COO.
Ellen Blessington, Senior Community and Communications Fundraiser
I have been at Theodora Children’s Charity since September 2019 and have loved raising funds for such an incredibly special cause! Having volunteered for Doctors of the World and Play Action International and working at an NHS Charity in North London for a number of years, I have seen first-hand the impact music, magic and play can have on children and their families, as well as members of NHS staff.
Molly Franklin, Giggle Doctor Programme Manager
I’m an Arts Education Programme Manager with a background of designing and delivering arts projects for schools, particularly targeting those with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage. I was the Learning and Participation Manager at the Royal Opera House and Cultural Enrichment Support Officer at Islington Borough Council. I’ve also worked directly supporting children with autism and asperges and developed training for artists to improve their facilitations skills for children with complex needs.
Isabel Squires, Programme Manager and Impact Measurement Lead
I’m a huge advocate for children’s rights, particularly their right to play! As a qualified primary school teacher, I have first hand experience of working with children and seeing how essential age appropriate, high quality play opportunities are for their wellbeing and development. As impact measurement lead, I employ a range of methods to evaluate and communicate our impact to our stakeholders, and I bring an academic interest in the evolution of humour in society, having completed an masters degree researching the development of humorous characters in Shakespeare’s plays.
Alfie Brine, Programme Administrator
Theodora is my first step into the nonprofit sector and the mission is particularly meaningful to me as I support my younger sister through her hospital stays. I’ve experienced how challenging healthcare settings can be for people with complex needs, and I appreciate the emphasis Theodora places on adapting communication styles to foster empowerment. My academic background is in Arabic and Middle Eastern languages, I have worked in the travel industry and I have loved volunteering when I can. I’ve dedicated time to a variety of causes including teaching in Peru, animal conservation in Sri Lanka, and supporting an arts festival in London.
Cheryl Neil, Senior Finance Officer
I have been the Senior Finance Officer at Theodora Children’s Charity since September 2021, and really enjoy working for such an amazing Charity. I have over 30 years experience working in Finance/Accounts for Charities/Not for Profit organisations. I enjoy meeting friends and family and dining out, going to the movies and travelling. Whenever I visit my Sister and relatives in Sunderland I try to go for a walk along Roker beach and always get fish and chips to eat on the seafront. You need to be very mindful of the seagulls!
Nat Bolonkin
I am a professional performer, director, devisor and facilitator, initially for the stage before joining an outdoor arts company as a performer at the Millenium Dome. I was then Artistic Director of a performing arts company for 10 years, creating comedy characters for events such as the Manchester Commonwealth Games, the Shanghai World Expo, the Milano Clown Festival, and the London 2012 Olympics. This role also involved teaching character, improvisation, and act creation workshops at institutions such as Goldsmiths College, and Milton Keynes College as part of an Arts Council-funded residency. I am also a qualified teacher and therapist. I am proud to bring my skills, experience and passion to my role as Artistic Coordinator, and use them to nurture the individual artists and maintain artistic excellence.
Helen Jones
I have a varied background, and I draw on all my skills and experience in my role as an Artistic Coordinator. I have trained with many of the great clown teachers, both in the UK and Europe, and was a performer in a silent comedy troupe. I have performed my own clown, Fizzy, for theatres, Centre Parcs, Ikea, and the BBC, as well as smaller venues and street shows, specialising in Christmas magic shows for families. I am also a supporting actress in TV and film, and a voiceover artist. I am a qualified college tutor and workshop facilitator, and loved my 7 years teaching 16 and 17 year olds on the NCS programme for Nottingham and Derbyshire. I was a healthcare Play Specialist for 10 years, and I am British Sign Language trained, with a knowledge of Makaton. I am also a costume and prop designer and maker, both for myself and other companies. At heart I am a lover and creator of laughter.
André Poulie, Founder
“In April of 1994, my brother and I had the honour to begin our Giggle Doctor Programme in the UK at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. 30 years later, we also have Theodora Giggle Doctors established and active in Hong Kong, Turkey, Belarus, Italy, Spain, Switzerland. We are most thankful to our generous partners and donors since without them, the existence our charities would have remained a dream.”
Jan Poulie, Founder
“My brother and I created the Theodora Children’s Charity in memory of our mother, Theodora. When André was young he was involved in a serious accident and spent months in hospital away from his friends and loved ones. Our mother came to visit him every day and it is her warmth that he remembers most from that time. When Theodora sadly passed away, we decided to create a charity to bring the same feelings of joy to children in hospital for generations to come with our wonderful Giggle Doctors.”
Ian Kelly
“I first heard of Theodora’s through my livery company, the Worshipful Company of Butchers when serving as Chair of their Charity Committee when we received an application. I was so moved by their work that during my year as Master I nominated Theodora my chosen charity. I continue to be impressed by the impact the Charity provides supporting seriously ill children and their families during what is often a time of extreme stress. Laughter is proven to be very therapeutic!”
Helen Fentimen
“Throughout my career as a paediatric nurse, in health and local government, as well as being Chair of Board of School Governors, I have been privileged to contribute to services for children. I have seen first hand the impact that illness short and long term can have on children and their families. Theodora plays an extremely important part in helping alleviate the worst of this, and now as a Trustee I can continue to support children and families.”
Ken Robertshaw
“I first came across the Theodora Children’s Charity almost 20 years ago and was immediately drawn to their ethos of providing fun and laughter for children at a time when it needed most. Through my service to the community as a member of Rotary International, I was able to introduce them to our organisation and we have enjoyed a close relationship for many years now. I was delighted to be invited to become a trustee as a result of my fundraising activities and am now pleased to be able to support the team in a more personal way”
Janet Lee
“I have worked in Children’s Critical Care Nursing for 40 years, dedicating myself to addressing the complex health needs of a child, and reducing the trauma of a critical care stay on both child and family. Some of my favourite working memories were alongside the Giggle Doctors, with whom I worked with for over 10 years. I admire their professionalism and skill, as well as their warmth and ability to form connections with the children and young people. I couldn’t be happier to support them in my retirement.”
Daniel Wise
“Having worked with the founders of Theodora for a number of years whilst a partner at a City law firm, I had an introduction to both the international team at Theodora but more importantly the incredibly valuable work the charity undertake at hospitals across the globe. I was delighted to be asked a few years ago to serve on the board and bring some value to our work and the charity through my background as a lawyer for over 20 years. It’s been my great pleasure to be able to serve in some small way in providing this support.”
Sabine Notz-Catsiapis, Trustee
Since day one, Sabine has been very involved with the Theodora Children’s Charity. She was a founding board member in 1994 and has been a strong supporter ever since. Having witnessed our very first visits in GOSH and actively participated in our growth, Sabine’s long term relationship and perspective on our work brings a wealth of experience to our board.
Joshua Byrne, Trustee
Joshua has been on the board of the Theodora Children’s Charity for close to 20 years and has tremendously assisted us in the main stages in the growth of our charity. He has also personally supported the memorable events we organised in the House of Lords, Downing Street and the Swiss Embassy. His extended network of contacts and experience of working with our charity are an asset for our teams and board.