Meet Our Trustees

 

Karin Pappenheim - Chair

“I am very strongly drawn to the mission of Social Action for Health to address health inequality, as this links very directly to my work as a CEO and Trustee with other London and national voluntary organisations supporting people in the community. My motivation is to help make a positive difference, and as a Trustee I aim to contribute my senior experience in health-related charities, and background in mental health, disability and work with disadvantaged communities.”

  • It’s hard to name a single proudest moment. There have been many times in my life when I have felt proud of the impact of the charities I have worked with, knowing that our services have supported individuals and communities and our advocacy campaigns have been a positive force for change. And as a mum of two, I’d say they have given my many proud moments in life.

  • What disturbs me is that health inequalities have been widening, there’s ever more evidence that this is linked to social inequality. We know social conditions in which people live affect their health and life expectancy. Tackling that requires national and local action, which is why I am joining up with Social Action for Health.

  • For relaxation, I do yoga and pilates as well as walking as much as possible around London, spending time in the green spaces of our city's parks and gardens. I also enjoy cooking and eating with friends and family, reading, going to music, cinema, theatre in different parts of London.

Tatyana Karpinskaya - Treasurer

“I am passionate about community well-being, health equality and making a difference in people's lives. I have over 15 years of experience in finance and wanted to offer my skills to guide the organization’s strategy and ensure it thrives.”

  • My ability to always be "there" for my family and friends regardless of geographical location.

  • I believe that everyone should have equal access to free or affordable healthcare and support services, regardless of their background, financial situation, or social status. It troubles me that some individuals miss out on essential care simply due to a lack of awareness or the confidence to navigate the system and seek help from medical professionals.

  • I love to cook, travel and recently started to learn how to play padel!

Pooja Shah

“Working in the various hospitals in east London, I was regularly seeing patients with chronic health conditions and the lower socio-economic status contributing to some of their acute and acute-on-chronic illnesses. I was keen to be a part of an organisation that helped to reduce the disease burden on patients - to try and be part of the solution where patients were more empowered to look after themselves and to reduce the effects of their disease.”

  • Cycling from London to Paris and camping along the way. Best week of my life.

  • I recognise that lower socio-economic status is linked with reduced life expectancy. Just having the wrong postcode should not mean worse health for anyone. I wonder sometimes whether boroughs with lower socio-economic classes also have worse funding for public health, acute health and chronic health - this just means increased disease burden for patients and the borough - it’s a vicious cycle.

Emma Backhouse

“I joined Social Action for Health since I was inspired by the incredible work of the charity and the amazing community they have built. By creating spaces where people can meaningfully connect and learn, the organisation helps combat health inequalities while empowering individuals with the confidence and tools to take control of their wellbeing. I’m proud to contribute to this vital mission that creates lasting positive change in people’s lives.”

  • Being admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

  • Families not being able to put food on the table or heat their homes. These fundamental necessities directly impact physical and mental wellbeing, creating cascading health problems that can affect generations. These immediate survival challenges prevent families from addressing longer-term health needs, trapping them in cycles that widen health gaps in our communities.

  • Go for a walk or run in nature.

Alex Murtough

“I wanted to be part of the amazing community and movement that’s focused on improving the health, wellbeing, and lives of ourselves and our neighbours – so many of the health inequalities we experience are preventable and unnecessary, and I’ve been inspired by the Social Action for Health community who are working to eradicate these.”

  • I’m really lucky to have wonderful friends and family, and they make me proud so often and so much more than I could ever do myself.

  • That they’re preventable, and that means they simply shouldn’t exist – equity in our health and our opportunities, regardless of our background, should be a minimum bar for any healthy and fair society.

  • I love to write, read, listen, and run. I write stories, read more stories, listen to even more stories, and run to give my brain a break.

Abbas Mirza

“I wanted to put something back into an organisation or community group, SAFH seemed a good fit as I was born in the borough I had worked in the borough and also know of the good work they undertake.”

  • I am proud of the work I did bringing communities together during the pandemic and that work continues to improve the quality and health of local people.

  • What keeps me up is knowing that people are living on the same streets in East London do not have the same life chances in terms of health and wellbeing and their experience of access to healthcare will not be equitable.

  • I have a cat that is my own personal stress fur ball.

Hannah Emmett

“I'm an East Londoner and a public health doctor. I wanted to be part of something embedded in my community, working on reducing the health inequalities I see daily.”

  • My little garden's fruit and veg harvest has been increasing - cherries for the first time last Summer!

  • That they are widening, and that they affect the whole life course. Inequalities in childhood follow people throughout their lives.

  • I like to read, do the crossword, and go for walks. Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park are local favourites.

Joe Coules

“I wanted to become a trustee of SAfH because I am passionate about health inequalities, particularly men’s health and mental health. I also wanted to reconnect with the charity sector as this is where my background is prior to working in social care.”

  • I’m proud of taking the risk of retraining as a mental health social worker in my early 30s, despite having a settled role within the charity sector.

  • Social economic background and situation playing such a big role in health outcomes and its difficult for individuals to navigate. We also are so behind with support for mental health support, waiting lists and community support feel so far from where they need to be.

  • I get my hiking boots on and get out of London. If the weather is rubbish I’ll cook or bake something nice. There is usually some fresh bread, some sort of sweet treat or home made ice cream somewhere at home.

Elaine Londesborough-van Rooyen

“Having worked and lived in east London for over 15 years I’ve seen how resilient and strong our communities are, but also how inequities in health grow from a system and environment stacked against those with the least in society. I’m inspired by the way Social Action for Health is taking practical action in response to this challenge.”

  • In recent years I have got very into running and have now run the Manchester Marathon three times – my most recent time was my fastest. While I’m not likely to be breaking any records, it’s very satisfying to keep pushing my own boundaries as I get older.

  • The injustice of the situation and that inequities continue to widen. What helps keep me focused though is that we know what the problem is and how to fix it.

  • I love to get engrossed in a good film or TV show – I really appreciate the distraction and it’s an opportunity to have a shared experience with my family. I’m particularly enjoying that my eldest is now old enough to watch telly with us in the evenings and I can show him all my favourite shows!