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Meet the team

“The strength of Room to Heal comes from the enthusiasm and dedication of the people involved.” Amy Saunders, Comic Relief

Dilara Harvey-Smith

Director

Dilara is the new Director of Room to Heal. She has worked in the refugee sector for many years, starting off as a caseworker. Prior to this role, Dilara has worked at the British Red Cross and Hackney Migrant Centre. 

Bert-Jan Zuiderduin

Group Therapist

Bert-Jan is a Group Therapist at Room to Heal, currently co-facilitating a mixed group with Fartun. He has an MSc Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy from Birkbeck, University of London and has 9 years experience of community-based counselling. Bert-Jan previously worked at Sutton Counselling where he gained valuable experience of working with refugees and asylum seekers.

Fartun Guled

Group Counsellor

Fartun is a Group Counsellor at Room to Heal, currently co-facilitating a therapy group with Bert-Jan. She works in private practice alongside her role with Room to Heal and has gained experience in various counselling organisations. Fartun is active in and has a background as a facilitator and organiser around race and gender justice. More recently, she has pursued further training in processwork, an approach to psychotherapy and facilitation that explores the connection between inner work and social change.

Suzie Grayburn

Group Counsellor

Suzie is a Group Counsellor at Room to Heal. Suzie currently co-facilitates one of the mixed therapy groups with Rae.  Prior to this, Suzie had also been working as a caseworker at Room to Heal. In addition to this experience, Suzie has worked at Freedom from Torture and the Dost Centre for Young Refugees. 

Roro Ratih Ambarwati

Group Therapist

Roro Ratih Ambarwati (Rae) is a Group Therapist, and has co-facilitated the support groups since 2009. Rae has qualifications in psychology and therapeutic group-work, and has worked at Room to Heal since its beginning.

Emily White

Emily Palmer-White

Community Manager (Maternity Leave)

Emily has started in a new Community Manager role at Room to Heal having been a Group Therapist here for the last 4 years. Emily has a diverse background within the refugee sector and previously worked at Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Bail for Immigration Detainees and the Helen Bamber Foundation. Emily holds an MSc/Clinical Diploma in Transactional Analysis (TA) Psychotherapy and a Post-Graduate Diploma in TA Psychotherapeutic Counselling.

Iman Nafi

Group Therapist

Iman has recently joined Room to Heal as a Group Therapist. She has a Diploma in Integrative Counselling and is currently part way through her MA. Prior to becoming a counsellor, Iman primarily worked as a caseworker at Room to Heal and Turn2us. For a short time Iman also worked as a chef, and she still loves to cook. 

Meggie Warren

Caseworker

Meggie is a Caseworker at Room to Heal. She previously worked as a Caseworker at Care4Calais, where she supported asylum seekers with accessing legal representation for their asylum claims. Meggie also has gained experience volunteering at local organisations that support refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants, including Hackney Migrant Centre and JAN Trust.

Jane Matthews

Fundraising Manager

Jane has over 20 years’ experience in the charity sector, successfully raising funds and managing teams to raise income from charitable trusts, foundations and businesses. Jane is a Member of the Institute of Fundraising and long-time personal supporter of human rights.

Imogen Butler

Imogen Butler

Finance Manager

Imogen Butler is our Finance Manager and has worked for Room to Heal since 2015. She has worked with a number of small businesses in organising and structuring their finances. She also has a degree in Swahili and Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Zinzi Mangera-Lakew

Community Manager

Zinzi is the Community Manager at Room to Heal. Before this was the Family Caseworker for our Mothers Group. In the past she worked and volunteered at other migrant focused organisations, especially with young people. She also has experience organising and campaigning against the hostile environment. She also loves singing, and is currently learning how to be a choir leader.

Veronica Haag

Caseworker

Veronica has previously worked with adult and young refugees at the British Red Cross and has a wealth of casework experience including most recently at Prisoners Abroad. 

Veronica also speaks fluent French and has led youth trips in Guadeloupe. 

Sebastian Short

Caseworker

Seb has recently joined Room To Heal as a Caseworker. Before this, he was working at the Refugee Council, supporting Asylum Seekers’ access to healthcare. Seb is currently studying for his MA in Refugee Studies, and has previously gained experience working and volunteering at organisations in Greece, Lebanon and Serbia.