Maggie's London

Bernie Byrne

Centre Head, Maggie's London

In my role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Edinburgh I worked alongside staff in Maggie’s and found it an invaluable resource to offer to people I cared for in the oncology centre.

When my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago, the Maggie’s centre had just opened and I suggested she drop in.  Ten years on, and feeling well, she maintains that Maggie’s helped her in a way that no other support organisation has been able to.

I have worked as a Nurse in cancer care since 1988.  During this time I spent over 10 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in oncology in Edinburgh and Liverpool.

I spent two years in New Zealand where I had many adventures and learnt life is for living. Mind you sunny weather and a few tropical islands on your doorstep also helps!

Jay Shah

Benefits Adviser, Maggie's London

Within a few minutes of having stepped into a Maggie's Centre I realised that this is the place where I should be working. 

I have worked as an Advice Worker within the non-profit sector for over 16 years helping clients on a range of legal issues such as immigration, welfare benefits and housing.

I enjoy going on holiday and spending quality time with my family.

Rachael Brastock

Dimbleby Clinical Psychologist, Maggie's London

This post is funded for three years by Dimbleby Cancer Care www.dimblebycancercare.org.uk.

I am excited to be a part of the new London Maggie's Centre. For me Maggie’s is a safe place for people to acknowledge the difficulties and challenges of cancer whilst not forgetting the importance of quality and enjoyment in life.
 
Before joining Maggie's I worked in pain management with a great team at St Thomas' Hospital. Prior to that, I worked in a range of settings including an NHS Oncology Health Centre.
 
I trained to be a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Hull but have since made the move south. Although I miss many things about Yorkshire I enjoy working in the vibrancy of London - whilst being glad to escape my home in the countryside at the end of the day.

Pippi Reader

Community Fundraiser, Maggie's London

I first heard about Maggie’s when I helped a group of ladies raise money for the South West Wales Cancer Institute. They were organising a ball and I decided to help them to get some fundraising experience. They talked about Maggie’s, the great work that they did and all the exciting fundraising events the charity got involved in. At that time Maggie’s was only based in Scotland and I know the ladies will be really happy that there is now an interim service in South West Wales.

Ever since I heard about Maggie’s, I’ve listened out for fundraising jobs here because I knew it would be a really interesting place to work!

After leaving university I worked as an Administrative Assistant for Victim Support South Wales in Cardiff. A year later I moved to London because I got my first fundraising job at a great charity called United Response that supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities. I stayed there for 3 ½ years and learnt all sorts of skills that helped me to become the Community Fundraising Co-ordinator at Maggie’s London. 

I love cooking new meals and baking cakes – particularly if it is a chocolate cake! One of my favourite things is baking cakes for my friends’ birthdays. I also love a good music festival and can’t wait for the summer to come around so I can go to more. Fingers crossed the weather will be good this year!

Lorraine Gray

Complementary Therapist, Maggie's London

I love the environment and philosophy of Maggie's.

I've worked for 8 years in an NHS oncology unit and love walking in nature, meditation and travelling. 

Catherine Zabilowicz

Nutrition Sessional Worker, Maggie's London

I love the whole concept of Maggie’s, somewhere homely and welcoming with free expert advice on all aspects of coping with a cancer diagnosis. It is a wonderful place to work and I am so pleased to be able to offer nutrition advice as I feel it is a vitally important part of cancer treatment and prevention.

My interest in the role of nutrition in cancer was fuelled by my son’s diagnosis of leukaemia 9 years ago. On the successful completion of his 3½ year treatment protocol I decided to study for a degree in Health Sciences and Nutritional Therapy. For my thesis I undertook a study looking at the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the gut and how diet may help to counteract the damaging effects whilst enhancing immunity and the efficacy of treatment. Since graduating I have attended an advanced nutrition and cancer course run by Penny Brohn Cancer Care. I run my own practice in Surrey and work in the main with cancer patients. I also work part-time for a local authority delivering healthy eating advice to various community groups and schools and weight management courses.

I love gardening and am an enthusiastic, if not always successful, allotmenteer. Cooking is another passion and I love nothing better than picking some home grown veg and creating a tasty meal for the family, which includes four son’s who are always ravenous. 

Deborah Boys

Admin Support, Maggie's London

Much of my working career has been in an administrative capacity with the Royal Geographical Society. However, in 2000 I joined the complementary therapy team working with cancer patients at the Charing Cross Hospital. My part-time role was helping to co-ordinate the service.

It has been a privilege to work in the London Maggie’s Centre since it opened, offering part time admin support to Bernie, the Centre Head.

Monique Proudlove

Assistant Psychologist, Maggie's London

Marcia Kenny

Relaxation & Stress Management Support Specialist, Maggie's London

Hilary Saw

Relaxation & Stress Management Support Specialist, Maggie's London

Julie Parish

Art Therapist, Maggie's London