About the Team & Service

Meet the Health & Wellbeing Team

Health & Wellbeing Director

Ian Silver
Ian Silver Director of Health & Wellbeing I have responsibility for ensuring that we understand and respond to the health and wellbeing needs of beneficiaries and manage the fantastic team of committed H&W staff. As part of the senior management team I also contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust.
Contact the Health & Wellbeing team

    Nature of Enquiry*

    AdviceSupportProfessionals ReferralOther

    Ian’s team:

    Dr Susan Brennan
    Dr Susan Brennan MBChB MRCGP Trust Medical Adviser I’m a GP and a medical adviser. One of my roles is to offer advice and support to our beneficiaries with health problems caused, or made worse, by thalidomide. I am also responsible for producing written and online information for beneficiaries to help with their health needs.
    Helen Smith Trust medical adviser
    Dr Helen Smith MB ChB MRCGP Trust Medical Adviser I am a GP and medical adviser. I help support beneficiaries in understanding their health issues and liaise with GPs and specialists to offer advice on how best to support beneficiaries. I also help identify and support specialists with extra knowledge of thalidomide related problems to ensure excellent care is provided.
    Dr Tim Fenn
    Dr Tim Fenn MBBS MRCGP (2006)  Trust Medical Adviser I am a GP and Trust Medical Adviser. I help support beneficiaries in understanding their health better and liaise with GPs and consultants. I also host webinars to help keep beneficiaries up to date on the best ways to improve their health.
    Hannah Overton
    Hannah Harper H&W Coordinator (Beneficiaries Who Lack Capacity) My background is in supporting adults with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments. I work with our beneficiaries who lack the capacity to manage their own finances, supporting them and their families to access any financial or H&W support that they need.
    Sally Sheehy
    Sally Sheehy H&W Coordinator (Complex Cases) My background is health and social care. My role in the team is to respond to beneficiaries and keep pace with their changing and complex needs. I complete HNAs and provide support to navigate services and assist beneficiaries in obtaining appropriate help to maximise their independence.
    Claire Blythe Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator for independence and care
    Claire Blythe H&W Coordinator (Independence & Care) I am a registered Social Worker with a background in Adult Social Care. My role is to support beneficiaries to access the services they are entitled to, whilst promoting autonomy and independence. I complete HNAs and respond to day to day queries that arise as beneficiaries contact the Trust.
    Michelle Robinson
    Michelle Robinson H&W Coordinator (Complex Cases & BLWC) I provide information, advice and support to beneficiaries in relation to their health, wellbeing and care needs. Working to support those beneficiaries with complex needs and those beneficiaries who have been assessed as lacking mental capacity. I also carry out HNAs.
    Cheryl Pinkney
    Cheryl Pinkney H&W Manager I am part of the Management Team and support Ian in providing leadership to the H&W Team. I oversee key health and wellbeing data and services to understand and respond to the changing needs of beneficiaries. I also administer new applications to the Trust.
    Annabelle Blackham
    Annabelle Blackham Beneficiary Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator I look after the Beneficiary Engagement initiatives including the Beneficiary Insights Panel, Beneficiary Focus groups & Trustees webinars. I recruit & develop the Beneficiary Volunteer team & identify beneficiaries’ needs that can be met by our volunteers.
    Danielle Goodwin Medical Support & Wellbeing Adviser I manage Louise, provide support to the Medical Advisers and administer the Trust’s Private Referral and Treatment schemes. I offer support to beneficiaries and also contribute to the successful delivery of the Trust’s Research and HNA programmes and the external health volunteer services.
    Louise Millsip
    Louise Millsip Health & Wellbeing Administrator I assist Danielle with the administration of the Trust’s Private Referral and Treatment schemes and am the first port of call for beneficiaries in the H&W Team. I offer support to beneficiaries, the H&W Team and contribute to the successful delivery of the Trust’s HNA programme.

    The Health & Wellbeing team is supported by a passionate group of talented beneficiary volunteers.

    How the team can help you

    What does the Health & Wellbeing team do?

    The Health & Wellbeing Team exists to provide support, advice and information to beneficiaries who need it - on any issues that affect your health and wellbeing.

    Within the team there is a wide range of practical knowledge, skills and experience, combined with a lot of empathy and care, which means we are able to help you with your questions across a wide range of subjects. If we don’t know the answer to your query, we will undertake research on your behalf, or help you find someone who does.

    What sort of help can I get from the Health & Wellbeing team?

    You can ask for help from the team for absolutely anything that affects how you live your life. We provide confidential, non-judgemental support across all areas including:

    • Advice and support with your benefits – such as PIP and ESA
    • Help with health problems -  answering your questions and ensuring you get the best possible support from your GP and when necessary a referral to a specialist who is experienced in dealing with thalidomide affected bodies.
    • Advice and help to make changes to protect your health - such as weight loss, exercise, alcohol and substance use.
    • Help to live well at home, including identifying aids and adaptations that enable you to give your body a break and keep well for longer.
    • Advice about wheelchairs and adapted vehicles to help you maintain your mobility and independence.
    • Help to access social care and support to ensure that the care you receive is high quality and appropriate for your needs.
    • Information about specialist agencies who may be able to help you with a particular issue - assisting you to make sure you get the service you need.
    • Support with your family and relationship issues.
    • We also offer emotional support and a listening ear when things get tough and you just want to talk.

    The Health & Wellbeing team is also responsible for:

    • Providing long term support to beneficiaries with the most complex needs
    • Ensuring the HNA process is planned and delivered
    • Developing and supporting volunteers to assist their fellow beneficiaries
    • Monitoring trends and emerging issues amongst beneficiaries
    • Ensuring the Trust complies with its Safeguarding responsibilities
    • Working with Trustees to ensure Health & Wellbeing issues are appropriately considered
    • Commissioning research that increases understanding and awareness of beneficiaries’ needs
    • Developing resources such as factsheets and videos, information packs and guides to common health & wellbeing issues
    • Creating and updating health and wellbeing information for the Trust website.

    Contact the team

    The Health & Wellbeing Team is here to help and we love to hear from you. You can get in touch with us by calling us on 01480 474074 or emailing

    Everything you share with us is completely confidential within the Trust and will not be shared with anyone else without your express permission. We only ever share your information if we feel that you or someone else is at risk of harm and are required to share relevant details in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.   You can read more about confidentiality in our Confidentiality Factsheet.