Children’s Brain Tumour Charity recruit charity’s first Director of Services Development

THIS July the children’s brain tumour charity Tom’s Trust will welcome Dr Lynda Teape to the leadership team as Director of Services Development. This new post has been funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.

Lynda will work closely with Tom’s Trust CEO Rebecca Wood and will lead the development and innovation of new services. She will consult closely with the charity’s families and medical professionals to understand the gaps and barriers for children and young people with brain tumours and plan how Tom’s Trust can help to close those gaps, her role is set to have a huge impact on the growth and direction of the charity.

Tom’s Trust is the UK’s only charity dedicated to providing mental health support to children and young people, with brain and other central nervous system tumours, and their families and is now in its thirteenth year. Lynda’s appointment signals the charity is moving closer to meeting its mission of reaching children with brain tumours and their families in every area of the UK by 2030.

Also, under her remit will be to investigate how Tom’s Trust can increase collaboration with other organisations, she will represent the charity to the Neuro-Oncology Special Interest Group (a group of clinical psychologists who work with patients who have neurological cancers throughout England hospitals) and oversee the development of the charity’s work supporting families moving from paediatric care to adult services. She will also spearhead the development of new information services for families, carrying on the groundbreaking work the charity has already done in launching the UK’s first sibling toolkit.

Lynda is an experienced senior clinical psychologist, having worked in the NHS for 20 years as well as private practice for seven. She has worked in neuropsychology and neuro rehab and in palliative care and is already experienced at setting up new services.

Dr Lynda Teape said:

“I was drawn to this role as I was motivated by the potential to make a real difference in the lives of the people that it serves. I have long held a particular interest and passion for working with people and families faced with the challenges of a life-changing illness and within the field of neuropsychology. I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.”

To find out more about Tom’s Trust, please visit: www.tomstrust.org.uk.