About PANS PANDAS UK
Who Are We?
PANS PANDAS UK is a charity which was established by a dedicated group of parents with children who are affected by these conditions. Determined to make a difference to the way these conditions are understood by the medical profession and the general public, the charity was registered in May 2018.
Too numerous to name individually, PANS PANDAS UK has an unbelievable team of volunteers who work tirelessly to support the work we do. The enthusiasm and skill they bring to our team is amazing and we thank each and every one of them from the bottom of our hearts.
If you think that you might have a little time, or a particular skill to bring to the charity, please do get in touch with us at info@panspandasuk.org. You will find a warm welcome!
Below, you can see some of the highlights of how we have evolved as a charity.
Board of Trustees
We are really fortunate to have a robust and passionate board of skilled trustees who give generously of their time to help govern and guide the work carried out by the charity.
Vicky Burford
Chair of Trustees and Co-Founder
I’m the Chair of Trustees and co-founder of PANS PANDAS UK. I’m so proud of the work we are doing to improve things for the PANS PANDAS community across the UK. In my spare time I can be found baking and decorating cakes or doing karaoke!
Chris Derrer
Trustee
I run an award-winning digital marketing agency, meaning I live and breathe all things ‘online’. This is where I aim to help PANS PANDAS UK gain the exposure needed to help as many families as possible! When I’m not working, I am usually spending time with my wife, kids and crazy dog. I’m a proud superhero and comic book geek, but also love football, cricket and golf – not that I’m any good at playing any of them!
Phil Hall
Treasurer
I love numbers, so being a Trustee and Treasurer doesn’t feel like work at all! I’m retired, so I spend my free time going on holidays, gardening, seeing the family and being the Chairman of another charity; a theatrical group for young people.
Rebecca Huitson
Trustee
With my experience working within the charity sector, and lived experience through my younger sister, I wanted to give back to PANS PANDAS UK. I am passionate about the charity and understand first-hand the support the charity can offer. In my personal time you will often find me by the sea or even sometimes in it!
Andy Koss
Trustee
I have worked in the banking and corporate sectors for over 30 years, with the majority of my time in the electricity sector. For 9 years, I have been CEO of two electricity generation companies operating in the UK and latterly in the Middle East. Having witnessed first-hand the effect that PANS/PANDAS has on children and families and the support provided by PANS PANDAS UK, I am keen to give something back to the charity and support the amazing work it is doing to raise awareness among schools, the medical profession and the wider community. I also enjoy travelling, running, rugby and football, although watching more than playing these days.
Victoria Queralt
Trustee
I am passionate about supporting children, young people, and their families, and very much enjoy my work as a clinical psychologist. I am particularly interested in child health and the interplay between physical and mental health. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges caregivers face when a child is struggling, and I know how crucial it is to access effective support. I’m truly honoured to serve as a trustee for the PANS PANDAS Charity, and I’m excited to contribute to the amazing work they do!
In my free time, I love exploring the outdoors—especially walking or cycling with friends. I also enjoy baking and have recently discovered a new passion for attending music concerts with my kids!
Zoe Van den Bosch
Trustee (on sabbatical)
My background in law means that I have skills which are really useful in my role as a Trustee. I’m passionate about the work we do to raise awareness and to inform and support families in times of need. As of August 2024, I will be taking a year-long sabbatical to focus on my family.
Our Team
Our executive team are an incredible group of individuals who care deeply about the vital work they do to support people with PANS and PANDAS, inform professionals and bring about change for our community.
Emma Bracegirdle
Fundraising Lead
I make sure that we have the money we need to continue our work to make change and support the PANS PANDAS community. I live in the Dordogne in France so, when I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family exploring the beautiful countryside and eating lovely pastries!
Tina Coope
Education Lead
My role is to support children and young people with PANS and PANDAS to access better support in education. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends at the beach and playing guitar and piano.
Sophie Dziwinski
Trusts & Foundations
I have been hugely inspired by the work of PANS PANDAS UK in the short time that I have been working with the charity. My role is generating funds from trusts and foundations for the charity’s projects. I live in Buckinghamshire and when I’m not working, I am often walking with my cockapoos in the countryside or playing tennis with my family.
David Head
Finance Manager
I look after the accounting for the charity. Someone’s got to count the beans after all! Alongside working for PANS PANDAS UK, I drive a truck, work on IT support, hike and am renovating a house. I like to keep it varied!
Katy Hindson
Health Development & Communications Lead
My role involves pushing for better health services for our community and raising awareness and understanding of PANS and PANDAS. When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time with my family and my labradoodle, George.
Helen Huitson
Community Champion
As community champion, I help with supporting volunteers to establish regional support groups and I help out with fundraising too. I love bringing our community together. When I’m not working, I can be found relaxing in my hot tub and/or eating cake!
Gillian Mathewson
Scottish Representative
I work to represent the PANS and PANDAS community in Scotland, and I also deliver teacher training. In a former life, I was an engineer, a maths teacher and captain of the British Women’s Kendo team but these days, when I’m not working, you are likely to find me making wooden jewellery on my lathe.
Fourie Pretorius
Social Media and Content Assistant
My role at PANS PANDAS UK is really creative and involves spreading our message far and wide. Outside of work, I am a musician and a drummer, and I love to cook and entertain.
Tauna Shields
Office Manager
My role is to support the wider PANS PANDAS UK team, however I can. When I’m not working, I enjoy gardening and spending time with my family. We play a lot of board games and keep busy with our local Scouts Group.
Our Ambassador
Highly acclaimed British actor, Jo Joyner, has joined charity PANS PANDAS UK in its mission to improve outcomes for those living with these life-changing but poorly understood conditions.
Jo is known for her roles as Tanya Branning in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and Mandy Carter in Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge. More recently she has starred as Luella Shakespeare in the BBC crime drama series Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.
Like many of you reading this, Jo had never heard of PANS or PANDAS until, suddenly, it affected a close family member. She was shocked by the lack of awareness and support available, which is why we are delighted that Jo has joined forces with PANS PANDAS UK to ensure that children and families living with these truly devastating conditions get the help they deserve.
