Hermione has held the vision of Living Well Dying Well since 2007. Her first initiative was to establish the End of Life Doula training in the UK via LWDW Training - a not for profit company. Her intention and ultimate wish has been to see an End of Life Doula in every community. In 2019 she initiated the formation of End of Life Doula UK – an independent registered charity – which is self-managed by Doulas, as a membership organisation. It is a point of contact for information and for families who need Doula support. Living Well Dying Well Trust is a natural extension to this work aiming to facilitate projects that further our vision of ‘Doing Death Differently’.

Athina had a long career in mainstream education as a teacher and advisory teacher. She worked across all key stages and developed & delivered short training courses for teachers and parents. Working in an authority with a strong commitment to Community Education & a multicultural approach, influenced her way of working & perspective. She was involved in obtaining funding and working on European and Government projects as well as the early adoption of multi-agency working A move from the Midlands to Sussex, coincided with other major changes, including the deaths, over just a few years, of her parents & a close friend. It was at this point that she met Hermione & became involved in further developing the End of Life Doula course, assisting in gaining accreditation for the course, and ultimately becoming the first Internal Quality Assurer. Athina is excited to be involved with LWDW again, this time with the Trust in a very different role, but with similar aims.

Sue has been connected with Living Well Dying Well Training since 2015 when she began her doula training while working within an NHS community organisation as an End-of-Life matron. Seeking a broader, more creative perspective, she was drawn to the compassionate and innovative approach that underpins LWDW’s work. Inspired to bring the doula role into the heart of community life, Sue joined with two fellow LWDW trainees to create Pushing Up Daisies, an annual festival in West Yorkshire. Running for five years before the pandemic, the festival offered community led spaces for conversations about death, dying and bereavement. Although it has since evolved beyond the festival format, Pushing Up Daisies still creates spaces for these important conversations in Todmorden. Sue became a Director of LWDW Training in 2020 & is now delighted to serve as a Trustee of Living Well Dying Well Trust. She brings together her professional experience and her work as a doula to now support others in exploring end of life care with openness and creativity. Sue looks forward to helping the Trust to distribute grants that enable the same compassionate and forward-thinking approach that has shaped her own experience of LWDW.

Natalie has a background in hotel and event management, where she developed strong organisational, communication and marketing skills. She later branched out independently, supporting small business owners and non-profits with administration and marketing, helping them build efficient systems and connect with the right audiences. More recently, Natalie has worked in the charity sector, implementing community support initiatives for people living with dementia and deepening her commitment to compassionate community work. At Living Well Dying Well Trust, Natalie manages the administration and grant processing, supporting applicants through the process in a clear, friendly and helpful way. She’s excited to see how the Trust’s grant funding brings projects to life that help people experience better support towards the end of life.