Meet Our Team
Trustees
Michaela Saunders-Hall
Chair of Trustees Endometriosis South Coast
After battling endometriosis and adenomyosis myself, I’m proud to serve as Chair of Trustees for Endometriosis South Coast—a charity close to my heart. My lived experience fuels my commitment to ensuring that others facing similar challenges have somewhere to turn for support, compassion, and community.
With over a decade of experience in visitor operations and business management at a large heritage NGO, I hope to bring strategic insight and operational expertise to the charity. I’m passionate about driving awareness and education around women’s health, and I believe that even the smallest act of support can make a meaningful difference.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me outdoors, usually exploring the New Forest with my dog, Humphrey—my loyal walking companion and source of joy.
Sally Wason
Treasurer, Endometriosis South Coast
Client Manager in Accountancy
Cara Atkinson
Funding and Fundraising Trustee Endometriosis South Coast
Cara is proud to join Endometriosis South Coast as Funding and Fundraising Trustee. Cara has worked in the charity sector since leaving university, in a variety of roles encompassing project management, partnership development, and fundraising. Having been diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2018, following years of pain and fruitless GP visits, Cara is passionate about improving life for people living with the condition. She has contributed to academic studies by sitting on Public and Patient Involvement panels and is excited to now be able to use her skills to strengthen and diversify Endometriosis South Coast’s income streams.
Beth Prescott BSc (Hons), MSc
Community & Outreach Trustee
Coaching Psychology Graduate
Endometriosis South Coast is a charity which is close to my heart. I have struggled with endometriosis symptoms since I was about 12, and although my symptoms were not problematic until I was 17, I was still not diagnosed till I was 22 years old, after 2 surgeries, umpteen tests & scans, numerous referrals, being pushed from pillar to post, being told my pain was all in my head due to my mental health challenges. When I was diagnosed I didn’t receive any information on the condition, I felt completely alone, and I searched the internet which just bombarded me with scary information. But thanks to Endo South Coast, their trustees & the support groups, I am now armed with knowledge and strength, and I can dismiss the myths and misinformation that we now know is outdated. I have made some life-long friends through this charity & their support group. Not only have they supported me through my Endo journey, they have also supported me through so much more and I couldn’t be more grateful to them for everything they do, without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Without the support of this charity, I would have never felt able to embark on the journey to university, conduct my own endo research, complete an undergrad degree in psychology & begin a master’s degree, in coaching psychology, which I strive to use as building blocks to further support others on their own journeys!
It means the world to me to be able to give back, and I am so grateful to be part of the team, advocating and running support groups for our community, giving others the love, support, empowerment and education that got me to where I am today, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings for us all!
Carly Jenner
People & Volunteer Trustee
HR Leader & Executive Coach
Carly is an HR leader and executive coach with almost 20 years’ experience helping global organisations build supportive and psychologically safe environments. Her work centres on communication, leadership behaviour, and ensuring people feel heard, seen, and supported.
She is passionate about advancing awareness and understanding of endometriosis, with a particular focus on the role organisations and businesses play in supporting those affected. She feels privileged to be part of a community committed to creating meaningful change.
Amy-Jane Gilbert
Marketing & Communications Trustee
Digital Programme Manager
Amy-Jane brings over 20 years of marketing and communications expertise to her role as Trustee for Marketing and Communications at Endometriosis South Coast. Throughout her career, she has developed deep expertise in digital marketing, e-commerce, CRM strategy, and integrated communications, consistently driving engagement and building meaningful connections.
Endometriosis South Coast is a charity profoundly close to Amy-Jane’s heart. After suffering with symptoms since her late teens, she was finally diagnosed in her early 30s—a journey that has included 13 medical procedures. This lived experience fuels her commitment to ensuring others have access to accurate information, compassionate support, and community.
Amy-Jane is passionate about weaving together professional excellence with authentic storytelling, amplifying the voices of the endometriosis community through thoughtful campaigns that honour both the scientific reality and lived experience of this condition.
Staff
Dr. Jodie Hughes, Afn, Bsc (Hons), MSc, PhD
Founder & Research Consultant
Endometriosis care research PhD Graduate and Visiting Lecturer in Public Health at Roehampton University, HeyGirls Ambassador
Jodie is the founder of Endometriosis South Coast and Research Consultant.
She has almost finished PhD at University of Roehampton London, that is researching the differences in care of Endometriosis patients.
Jodie was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 29 after struggling with heavy, painful periods since the age of 11. Whilst she was so young, she was told by her doctors and family that it was just the way that women in the family suffered and it was just something to get on with and put on the contraceptive pill.
It wasn’t until Jodie had her son (after multiple miscarriages) and her symptoms returned worse than they were before she was put on the pill that she sought the help of a new doctor and the word Endometriosis was mentioned, that any of the symptoms made sense. The fatigue was crippling (later diagnosed with M.E/CFS too) and the bleeding and pain were unbelievable. Many made her feel like she was absolutely crazy. The new doctor made a referral to the BSGE-accredited centre at QA Hospital in Portsmouth where she met Dr Guyer who really listened to what she had to say for the very first time. He agreed that from the symptoms that were presenting laparoscopic surgery was needed to confirm a diagnosis. During this surgery, Jodie was diagnosed with Superficial Endometriosis (symptoms do not correlate with diagnostic wording). Unfortunately, the operation only had Jodie pain-free for 2 months, so the Prostap injection was used to put Jodie into the medical menopause which worked so fantastically that she decided to have a hysterectomy at the age of 32. “This was possibly one of the best decisions I had ever made, I still has a monthly “cycle” due to becoming super aware of how her body works, and still has some pain and bleeding. But I now have more of a life than ever before”
Because of this journey Jodie lost her career as a chef and decided to apply for uni (with no GCSEs) she got accepted and completed her Health and Nutrition Bachelor’s degree with honours after writing a dissertation on stress levels of women in Portsmouth with Endometriosis. She then went on to complete her Health Sciences Master’s degree with a first-class pass after writing her dissertation on the same topic as her undergrad degree but on almost a thousand women across the globe.
Finally, Jodie has started a research PhD that is investigating the relationship between endometriosis care and various factors that may affect it.
“It is truly disheartening to know that so many people are suffering due to the lack of education surrounding a disease that affects so many”
Volunteers
Penny Chamberlain BSc, MRes
Resource Manager, Endometriosis South Coast
Researcher and Data Analyst
Juliette Henry
Volunteer Grant Writer, Endometriosis South Coast
Jules is a volunteer grant writer at Endometriosis South Coast, where she uses her background in health and innovative policy to build partnerships and secure funding that supports the charity’s initiatives and mission. She is passionate about addressing under-researched health challenges and reducing systemic misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. As a volunteer, she hopes to contribute to more people-centred solutions and effective knowledge translation to improve practitioner understanding of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, whilst also empowering self-advocacy within the community.
Florence Deakin
Fundraising and Events Team
Hi I’m Floss and I’m a Fundraising and Events volunteer at Endometriosis South Coast. As someone living with endometriosis, I am so excited to be a part of an incredible community. I’m looking forward to helping to support people living with endometriosis and adenomyosis and to spread awareness.
Jade Marsh
Fundraising and Events Team
Christina Holden
Bournemouth University Society Founder, Portsmouth Support Group Facilitator, Support Group Manager, Events Volunteer & Project Administrator
I volunteer for ESC because the support and sense of community they provide have been truly integral to my journey with endometriosis.
I began experiencing symptoms at 13 and was diagnosed at 19, after turning to private care following repeated dismissal by healthcare professionals. In the aftermath of my diagnosis, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain. However, through both online and in-person support groups, I found a community of people who understand what so many others cannot.
Volunteering for ESC has given me a strong sense of purpose and belonging—it genuinely feels like where I am meant to be.
Deeksha Gupta
Volunteer Recruitment Co-Ordinator
I have a background in HR and recruitment, with experience across candidate coordination, interview management, and recruitment support. Before moving to the UK, I also spent a few years as a private tutor to primary school children in India – a role that taught me a great deal about patience, communication, and genuinely connecting with people.
Relocating to a new country means rebuilding in more ways than one, and I wanted to make that journey meaningful. Volunteering with Endometriosis South Coast felt like exactly the right opportunity – a chance to contribute to a cause that truly matters, while learning and growing alongside a community that leads with compassion.
I’m really glad to be here.
Hoda Javdani
Marketing and Communications Manager, Endometriosis South Coast
Jornalist
Hoda spent nearly a decade working as a journalist in Iran, focusing on women’s issues and gender equality. Having witnessed firsthand the widespread ignorance around women’s health, she developed a deep commitment to raising awareness and helping women improve their lives.
With a master’s degree in English literature, words have always been her closest companions, and she loves telling the stories of ordinary people with real experiences. She has also worked for over five years as a content marketing specialist and multimedia content creator, and hopes to use those skills to support the marketing team and help Endometriosis South Coast’s important work reach more people.
Kristen Quick
Volunteer Awareness Campaigns Lead
With a background in public health and a strong focus on women’s health, health equity, and evidence-based research, I am deeply committed to addressing gaps in awareness, research, and care for under-recognised conditions. My academic foundation, combined with my own lived experience of endometriosis, has shaped both my perspective and my purpose. I choose to volunteer because I believe awareness is the foundation for change, and I want to contribute to a platform dedicated to building impactful campaigns. I am passionate about advocating for people living with endometriosis, who deserve to be seen, heard, educated, and supported.
Olivia McKenna
Newsletter Writer
I have lived with endometriosis since I was 12 (receiving my diagnosis at 19) and adenomyosis throughout my adult life. Over the years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how awareness of these conditions has changed. As a teenager, I regularly found myself answering “What’s that?” when I mentioned endometriosis. More recently, after multiple failed treatments and laparoscopies, I have navigated the difficult decision to undergo a hysterectomy at 33, as well as the realities of treatment, surgery and recovery within an increasingly stretched healthcare system.
During some of the hardest parts of my journey, online support pages and shared stories became a lifeline. Reading about other people’s experiences helped me feel less alone and reassured me that I wasn’t imagining what I was going through. Inspired by those connections, I have recently started sharing more of my own experiences online.
I’ve always been passionate about charity work and supporting causes that matter. As Newsletter Writer for Endometriosis South Coast, I hope to help others find the same sense of connection, support and understanding that helped me.
Jessica DeLord
Volunteer Content Creator
Zoe
Volunteer Content Creator
I’m a Lead Graphic Designer bringing 12 years of experience in designing content for retail businesses in various industries, across print and digital design. I’ve worked within brand and marketing teams my entire career, and whilst my day job designs with the aim to ultimately make sales, I was drawn to volunteering to lend my design skills to help make a difference, and further causes that I believe in.
I’m a disabled person with chronic pain, and whilst I have no personal experience with endometriosis, my experiences with medical access and equity are comparable. I have experienced first hand being dismissed by doctors and health professionals, going years without answers and watching your life change around your symptoms. Therefore I feel passionately about health equality, dismantling barriers to care, and making people feel supported, even if it’s in small ways through social media content. As a queer bisexual woman, I am proud to work with an organisation that champions inclusivity, as chronic illness does not know gender.
Malavika Jalaja Prasad
Volunteer Content Creator
I’m a Nanomedicine and Biology graduate with a background in scientific research and medical writing. I’m particularly passionate about women’s health and chronic pain conditions that are often overlooked, difficult to diagnose, and manage. Having seen loved ones affected by endometriosis, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to live with the condition while navigating complex, confusing, and sometimes misleading medical information. For me, helping people feel more informed, supported, and in control of their health really matters. By contributing to ESC, I aim to utilise my scientific knowledge and communication skills to make health information clearer and more accessible, helping individuals feel more understood and empowered in their healing journey.
Paola Rendon Chavarria
Volunteer Content Creator
Paola is a Nutrition and Wellbeing graduate with a strong interest in women’s health, public health, and health education. She is passionate about supporting individuals living with chronic conditions through accessible health information, prevention, and community-based initiatives. Paola chose to volunteer with Endometriosis South Coast to contribute to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering people affected by endometriosis through education and advocacy.
Anna Chui
Volunteer Content Creator
Devika Manikandan
Volunteer Digital Workplace and SharePoint Specialist
I’m Devika, a Digital Workplace and SharePoint Specialist who loves creating systems that feel clear, organised, and easy for people to use. Early in my career, I realised how much time teams lose simply trying to find the right document or understand where information lives. That sparked my interest in digital organisation, and it’s shaped the work I’ve done ever since.
I’ve spent the last several years working across education, enterprise, and professional services, helping teams turn messy, confusing digital spaces into structured environments that actually support the way people work. My experience includes SharePoint Online administration, information architecture, permissions management, and content governance but what I enjoy most is working with non‑technical users, understanding their challenges, and designing simple, intuitive solutions that make their day easier.
I chose to volunteer with ESC because I believe that good digital structure can make a real difference. When information is easy to find and systems are easy to use, volunteers save time, feel less frustrated, and can focus more energy on supporting people living with endometriosis. Being able to contribute to that mission means a lot to me, and I’m excited to build a SharePoint environment that will support ESC for years to come.
Outside of volunteering, I enjoy puzzles, strategy games, and watching horror and sci‑fi films. I also like keeping up with politics and current affairs
Jeannie Lymath
Outreach & Events Volunteer
As a volunteer for endometriosis south coast, she brings her healing expertise and compassionate care to those affected by endometriosis, linking her skills as a therapist to support her community through “Healing Hands in the Community”. This role allows her to give back by fostering awareness and offering relief to those navigating this challenging condition, driven by a commitment to empower others in their wellness journeys.
Hayley Marsh
Outreach & Events Volunteer
I want to try and help raise awareness and reach other endo sufferers so they don’t feel so alone anymore.
Plus, it’s always a fun-filled day out.. of getting lost on the way to events to setting the stall up to learn we have no table, ohh and holding down gazebos so they don’t get blown away! 😂.. so many beautiful n hilarious memories!! 😂 I love being a tiny part of this amazing family that is Endometriosis South Coast.
Racheal Orianele
Outreach & Events Volunteer
I’m a public health student who spends most of my time researching diet, chronic conditions, and health inequalities. I decided to volunteer with Endometriosis South Coast because I’m passionate about supporting women with endometriosis and raising awareness of a condition that’s often overlooked and misunderstood.
Super excited to join the team and help spread some light (and hope!) along the South Coast.
