Our Team

Our friendly team is located across our head office in London, Honeypot House in the New Forest, Honeypot Pen y Bryn in Powys, and Honeypot Dalleagles in East Ayrshire. From children’s play workers and community supporters, to operations, fundraising and our collaboration with trusts and foundations, we all work together to support young carers across the country.

Simmi Woodwal | Chief Executive

As the CEO of Honeypot, it is an honour for me to lead a unique and child-focused organisation where children remain at the heart of everything we do. I am fortunate to be working with a fabulous group of people that are passionate and dedicated to the welfare of young carers, and this experience is second to none. In the current economy, the challenges facing charities are great, but we strive to continue providing the best possible care to as many children as we can. I am sincerely grateful for the continued support of many individuals, community groups and organisations, the invaluable contribution from our trustees, and the tremendous hard work and commitment of the employees and volunteers throughout Honeypot.

Phil Gellhorn | Finance Director

I have been with the charity since 2007. Prior to coming to Honeypot I worked for Shelter, the National Deaf Children’s Society and Phoenix Futures (a drug/alcohol rehabilitation charity). Always in the finance department, I have a huge respect for those people out on the front line – whether it be on the end of a call centre telephone line or working face to face with people who need what the charity can provide.

Anthony Cummings | Director of Income Generation

After over 25 years in the non-profit sector working for small, medium and large charities, in the field of children and young people, community development and as Executive Director of a Specialist NHS Hospital Foundation, coming to Honeypot was like a homecoming. I feel deeply privileged in knowing that every day I am working for an organisation that supports and transforms the lives of thousands of the most disadvantaged young carers.

Jenny Ray | Director of strategic development & Interim Director of Operations

I joined Honeypot in 2018 and have held a variety of roles within the management and senior leadership team. I am very much looking forward to supporting the further developments of our Wrap round services across all our sites in both my Director roles.

Hanane El Yemlahi | Assistant finance manager

I joined Honeypot in 2015 as a temporary member of staff taking on different roles within the finance department, leading to my current role on a permanent basis as an Assistant Finance Manager. Prior to joining Honeypot, I worked in a similar role for Grade 1 listed House and Gardens. I am excited to contribute my experience and dedication to assist my colleagues at Honeypot that share the goal to help young carers in the UK.

Bruce Ruthven | Operations manager (Honeypot Dalleagles)

After twenty years of involvement in professional sport and sport in the community, my new chapter sees me starting the new exciting role as Operations Manager for Honeypot’s Scotland's home, Dalleagles! I'm delighted to be working for a very progressive charity that is committed to making a real difference to young carers and creating long lasting memories.  Dalleagles is a fantastic place and I'm looking forward to welcoming staff and young people into the Honeypot home.  

Miriam Harrison | Operations manager (Honeypot Pen y bryn)

Having worked in a variety of roles in the services sector for 16 years, including managing a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, and a veterinary investigation centre. I'm honoured to be using my skills for yet another vital service. I personally thrive on having a role with purpose, therefore becoming Operations Manager of a little slice of paradise in Wales that offers Respite and Social and Emotional Active Learning breaks for young carers was a very easy decision to make! I enjoy helping curate the most magical childhood memories for such deserving people in the homely environment that is Pen y Bryn.

Mathew bARBER | Operations manager (Honeypot Hampshire)

I have over 16 years of experience working with the young people across the UK. Working in schools and running youth centres. After leaving London in August 2023, I was looking for a way to continue to support young people. I saw the role at Honeypot and after visiting the house in the New Forest and learning more about the charity I wanted to come and be part of something special. It is great to be able to support the team here to provide a place for young carers to come and have break and have fun with other children who understand what they are going through.

Georgina Hargreaves | Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager (on maternity leave)

I joined Honeypot in January 2019 and was lucky enough to head up their exciting two year partnership with Bank of America. After an amazing two years with the bank and raising £1 million in the process I moved on to become Senior Corporate Partnership Manager and now get to help a number of brilliant corporates on their fundraising journey with us. Having previously worked in the events industry in Hong Kong and London I am delighted to now be using my event management and communication skills to get the most out of our vital partnerships. My drive comes from helping young carers have that break they so desperately need, to have that childhood fun everyone deserves and I feel very privileged to be a part of that process. If you would like to get in touch about becoming one of our great corporate supporters please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Simon Robb | Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager

My background is in journalism and PR, having worked for the national press before transitioning to the charity sector. Over the years, I saw the importance of creating alliances with organisations that share a similar ethos to find mutually beneficial ways of working. After over 5 years at RNID, I come to The Honeypot Children’s Charity as a Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager working alongside a great team to make a difference in the lives of young carers across the UK. If you would like to talk about a possible partnership get in touch.

Danielle St Romaine | Senior Corporate Partnership Manager

I've worked in the charity sector for almost 7 years now, my background consisting of a variety of causes and fundraising, so I'm really excited having joined the Honeypot Team, to be able to put all of this into action for a cause so close to my heart. Helping organisations connect with such an incredible cause and making a difference for so many young carers is something I am really proud to be a part of!

Madeleine van Hilten | Head of Lottery and Statutory Grants

I joined Honeypot in September 2024 in a new role for the charity, securing funding from the Lottery and from local and national government bodies. My experience in grant fundraising was built up over 13 years working for London-focused charities such as The Felix Project and Greenhouse Sports, and for international development charities such as MicroLoan Foundation and Transform Trade. Raising funds for projects benefitting disadvantaged children and families at these organisations has always been a key focus area. What motivates me every day is knowing that  I am helping the Honeypot increase its reach so we can support many more young carers to have a happy childhood and reach their potential. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a wonderful team of dedicated colleagues who are truly passionate about improving the lives of these incredible children who sacrifice so much for their families. Get in touch.

Jessica Ramudo | Trusts and Foundations Manager

I came to Honeypot in 2024, after 17 years as a fundraiser in the charity sector working for Woman's Trust and for Catch22. Previously, I worked directly with children as a secondary school teacher. Coming to Honeypot feels like a return to my roots and I am looking forward to the opportunities it will bring including spending time with the children on their respite and educational breaks. I am excited to help Honeypot expand our funding to achieve growth so that more young carers can be reached in new ways and in different parts of the UK. Knowing that we are the only national charity able to support young carers aged 5-12 in a consistent way gives me the drive to make sure we can help more.

Phoebe Pennington | Trusts and Foundations Executive

I have a background in the charity sector from volunteering overseas, to fundraising for an organisation that supported children affected by the criminal justice system. I also have personal experiences of caring and I empathise greatly with children who must face the pressures of a caring role at such a young age. My experiences have fuelled my passion for making a difference for disadvantaged young people, making Honeypot a perfect match for me! 

Carol Anne McMahon | Fundraising manager scotland (Dalleagles)

I started working with Honeypot in May 2023, in preparation for the opening of Honeypot House in Scotland in July 2023. I have worked in fundraising management for over 26 years, with the majority of that time spent representing youth charities. I am extremely passionate about addressing inequality of opportunity for young people who are vulnerable or face disadvantage. Having recently spent two years being the main carer for my Dad who has Alzheimer's Disease, I cannot begin to imagine how difficult it is for children to take on a caring role in their family at such a young age. I feel extremely privileged to be able to lead the fundraising in Scotland to allow Honeypot to make an extraordinary impact on young carers in Scotland's lives, and to enable them to reach their potential, as they have done for young carers in England and Wales. Get in touch.

Viv Carter | Community engagement manager (HAmpshire)

I love meeting and talking to community groups, clubs and schools about the wonderful work of the Honeypot Children’s Charity – Bumble sometimes comes with me too, which is good fun! I feel very lucky to be based at Honeypot House in Hampshire, not only because it’s a beautiful site in the New Forest, but also because during the school holidays I enjoy hearing all the fun and laughter from the children that are here for their Honeypot respite break. The sound of children being children and having the opportunity to take a break from their circumstances at home is a great motivator as a fundraiser. Please do get in touch with me if you would like me to give a Honeypot talk to your group, or if you are organising an event and would like us to be involved!

Chris Walsh | Children’s Services Leader (Hampshire)

I have a background in sport, competing for Great Britain in Athletics and have been working with children for 25 years. I started in teaching and ended up with working in safeguarding as a pastoral lead for a school. I came to look around the Hampshire house and knew straight away, I wanted to work here! I am committed to making a real difference to young carers and creating long lasting memories. My aim is to make sure that the children have a great time here whilst on respite and make sure each one child tries something new.

ROISIN METHERELL | Database Manager

I joined Honeypot in October 2022 after multiple roles in healthcare and education, including working as a teacher and nurse. I love that my role enables me to build relationships with families and help support the well-being of our young carers whilst they are at home. It is incredibly rewarding and I’m excited to roll out new initiatives at Honeypot to complement our wonderful respite breaks. I’m so happy to be working with a wonderful, friendly and welcoming team towards a worthy cause; building brighter futures for young carers. It is a privilege to be able to do something I am so passionate about as a job!

Cathleen dowding | wellbeing coordinator

My passion has always been working with children, prior to Honeypot I was a Learning Support Assistant at a local primary school. The most rewarding part of the role is receiving feedback from the families letting us know how much the items or experiences have benefited their young carers. With a young family of my own, it really resonates with me just how much our Honeypot children have to sacrifice, and so I feel very lucky to work for a charity which is helping to create happy childhood memories and building brighter futures for these amazing young carers.

Bumble

Bumble is a bee of few words. As our mascot he loves to get out and about representing the charity and he turns up all over the place! If you would like Bumble to visit your school, workplace, or attend your event please let us know, he’d be delighted to come along!

Trustees

Laurie Oppenheim (Chair)

Mary Davis

Verne Grinstead

Natalie Rebeiz

Tom Putter

Oliver Harrison

Alexandra Dwek

Ilaria Magagnoli

Hannah Constantine

Richard Houseago

Founder

Lisa Nelson Stratton (we were initially founded as The Nelson Trust in 1992)

Find out more on our history here.