Team – Andy's Angels

Meet the Team

Meet the Andy’s Angels Team

Trustees have overall control of the strategic planning of the charity and are responsible for making sure it is meeting the charity’s purpose.

The Operations Team will ensure the day-to-day functions of the charity, supporting the planning of fundraising/community events and ensuring the smooth running of our services like our Grief Play Cafe and Intergenerational Bereavement Choir.

Kayla Shepherd

Chair of Trustees

Project Lead

I am a true childcare practitioner at heart and have managed several children nurseries over the years.
I am also a Health and Safety Instructor, specialising in Mental Health, Safeguarding and First Aid training, my experience in managing and leading a nursery team and my own business has been so beneficial in setting up Andy’s Angels.
Alongside travelling my own grief journey, I have used my lived experience to help and support other children and their families as they navigate their own grief.

Jess Estcourt

Vice Chair

I have 20+ years’ experience in leadership across the charity, public and health sectors — with a focus on service development, partnership building, and governance.

I met Kayla through my work with Community Works, and in that role helped support the organisation to set up in the early days and provided ongoing support through the last few years. I have always admired the ambition purpose and the ability of the charity.

Lorraine Tomlinson

Trustee – Corporate

I was introduced to Andy’s Angels via a friend who thought I might be interested in helping make a few cups of tea once a month at the café.
After my first visit to the café, I knew I wanted to get as involved as possible. My own grief experience is still very close to me and being part of Andy’s Angels not only lets me support others, but I take a lot of strength from the support, training, and friendships I’ve been able to receive myself.
I also have many years’ experience in the corporate and charity event industry and love supporting Andy’s Angels in raising its profile and building corporate relationships.

Sue Jenkins

Secretary

I am a Director of Kaizen at Surrey and Sussex Health Care Trust, I have board level experience along with managing sustainable improvement systems as part of my role.
Andy was also a lifelong friend and when he died, I was keen to support both his widow Kayla and 7-year-old daughter Millie in the best way I could. Kayla invited me to be a trustee of the charity on the outset and I felt privileged to be part of something that was going to make a real difference for grieving children and young people.

Katie Collet

Treasurer

I met Kayla Shepherd (the Founder) at a networking meeting and heard about Andy’s Angels and the wonderful vision she had for the charity. When Kayla mentioned that they were looking for a treasurer, I jumped at the chance to join the Trustee team. Having worked in charity finance and with children and young people for many years, I was happy to be able to support the charity with my experience.

Gail Waller

Trustee – Legal

I knew Andy from my days on the stage with NSMP. After his death I saw Kayla had set up Andy’s Angels and I followed her progress on social media. I realised that I could contribute to the charity by becoming a trustee. I’m a medical negligence solicitor and frequently help families who have suffered bereavement because of substandard care and wanted to do something to support local families who have lost a loved one.