Lindy is the motivating force behind the Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust. She is a highly experienced Group Analyst and Psychotherapist with extensive experience working in Mental Health for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. She founded the Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust in memory of her dear cousin, Sarah Jane Leigh. Both Sarah and Lindy began planning the charitable trust before Sarah sadly passed away in August 2015, and now it thrives in her memory – it is her legacy. The Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust is born out of Sarah Jane Leigh’s generosity and Lindy’s ongoing passion to help people troubled with mental health issues, especially families and children. Lindy lives in London and is fortunate to have her three children and five grandchildren living nearby, all of whom are increasingly involved in the Charity as it evolves. Lindy is dedicated to continuing this meaningful work, supporting vulnerable communities, and fostering mental health and well-being through the initiatives and partnerships established by the trust. Her commitment ensures the charity’s mission is carried forward with compassion and dedication.

Gabriella has always been passionate about the well-being and development of children. She has worked at the Department for Education in various roles over several years, primarily in Children’s Services, whilst her final role was in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team, where she was inspired by the work of educational psychologists, child psychotherapists, and other practitioners, and the impact they had on children’s well-being and education. Conversely, she witnessed the negative effects on children and young people whose mental health needs were not addressed early on. She has since studied Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology and worked with children on the autism spectrum. She is (As we speak) currently training to be a person-centered therapist for children in schools and is highly committed to improving the mental health and development of children through therapeutic support and educational initiatives. As a trustee of the Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust, she is dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and their families, fostering mental health and well-being through our range of projects.

Leah has a longstanding commitment to supporting communities in need. In 2010, she volunteered at an educational center for former child laborers in Accra, Ghana. This meaningful experience inspired her to stay involved in community outreach. In 2013, she enhanced her knowledge of the non-profit sector by working as an Education Coordinator at the Wings of Hope, a London-based charity providing free education to underprivileged children in India and Malawi. She is especially dedicated to supporting disadvantaged, homeless, and displaced people, volunteering with foodbanks and homelessness charities in cities including London, Barcelona, and Berlin. As a qualified English language teacher, she used her TESOL certificate in 2016 to provide English lessons to asylum seekers in ‘The Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais. In 2019, she participated in The Big Sleep Out, fundraising for charities like Thames Reach and Depaul UK. Most recently, she ran the Hackney Half in April 2023 to raise money for Shelter. She is proud to continue her community support work as a Trustee of the SJLCT, helping alleviate poor mental health among young people and families.

Since 1989, Sarah Whitney has been an invaluable asset to the Leigh Family, serving in various professional and personal roles. Her extensive experience in the charitable sector has honed key skills, including leadership, management, organization, operations, communication, networking, finance, and project management. Sarah’s dedication to her work is matched by her commitment to integrity, governance, and independence, ensuring that all projects and initiatives are executed with the highest standards of ethical conduct. Sarah’s passion for charity work is reflected in her hands-on approach to problem-solving and her ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders. Her networking abilities have connected the Leigh Family with numerous organizations and individuals, amplifying the impact of their charitable efforts. Sarah’s financial acumen ensures that resources are managed efficiently and effectively, maximizing the benefits for those in need. Sarah’s commitment to her community and her professional excellence make her a valuable asset to our ever-growing team as an Executive Administrator of the Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust.