Meet our Board Members

In the Caribbean, we’re seeing the incredible impact of this work—uplifting survivors and helping them reclaim their independence and strength. Through community involvement and leadership, we are building a network of hope, safety, and empowerment, ensuring that every woman and child has the tools they need to live a life free from abuse.

By blending my expertise in martial arts and wellness with a dedication to advocacy, I strive to inspire and support those who need it most, one life at a time.

I’ve been honored to have my insights and perspectives published in prestigious outlets like Medium and the Elephant Journals, shedding light on topics related to connection and compassion. My expertise in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) has enabled me to assist individuals in overcoming obstacles and realizing their full potential. I am a strong believer in Purpose Driven Leadership. I received my education in Stafford, UK, where I specialized in business studies. Later on, my passion for child development led me to earn credentials in this domain, accumulating over 37 years of experience.

My unique blend of business and child development knowledge has shaped my career trajectory, pushing me into entrepreneurship in the early childhood education sector and other ventures. Together with my husband Frank, we owned and operated early childhood centers, catering to the educational needs of children ranging from 6 weeks to 13 years old.

My commitment to education goes beyond these centers. I’ve collaborated extensively with local state schools and communities, promoting a holistic approach to child development. Throughout my time as a Child Care Director, I had the privilege of serving on both nonprofit and for-profit boards. This gave me a platform to use my expertise and advocacy to foster positive change in early childhood collaboration at the community level. I hold a particular passion for advocating for women’s rights and work tirelessly to ensure safe environments for women, both at home and in the workplace.

Having traveled the world, my partner and I have developed a profound love for Central Africa, where we tied the knot. This bond with the region intensifies our affinity for the local communities and families, motivating us to support initiatives for better education, clean water, and safe sanitation. I firmly believe in the transformative power of education and the essential rights of every individual to basic amenities, driving my dedication to this cause. With a heart full of the belief in “service above self,” I am deeply committed to making a tangible difference as a board member of the HH nonprofit global organization.

I envision a future where everyone, irrespective of age, gender, or socioeconomic status, is given the chance to flourish. Given my unique perspective and the vast experiences I’ve garnered throughout my life, coupled with my unwavering passion, I am confident in being a vital asset to the board, aiming for a brighter tomorrow for children, families, and communities in need. Outside of my professional endeavors, I cherish my leisure moments spent reading, and I pride myself on being a lifelong learner and a world traveler. I believe in nurturing a well-rounded life to further fuel my fervor and dedication to my mission.

With a clear roadmap for the HH nonprofit organization in mind, my goal is to bolster the organization’s growth and ethos during my tenure on the board. I aspire to be an integral team member, aiming to amplify the outreach of HH nonprofit, ensuring our initiatives touch and transform the lives of even more children and families. I am deeply thankful for the chance to serve on the board of HH nonprofit, considering it a privilege to be a part of such a remarkable nonprofit entity. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members, united in our mission to carve out a better world for one and all.

Outside of this, I’m a sun lover, always up for outdoor activities. But equally, I cherish quiet moments immersed in a good book or quality time with my family. My vision for Hopefull Handbags is grand but achievable. The establishment of Carolyn’s Haven of Hope is a dream I’m ardently working towards, to intensify our impact in the community.

As I step onto the board, I bring with me years of experience, a deep understanding of our mission, and an unyielding commitment to see our goals realized. I’ve been fortunate to witness the love, dedication, and sheer hard work my mom has invested in this nonprofit. It’s a legacy of resilience, compassion, and hope. Being part of this journey, advocating for those who need it most, and being my mom and grandmother’s biggest cheerleader is an honor I hold dear.

I continue to write for Hopefull Handbags and it is a pastime that fills me with a joy that overflows and at the same time fills me with a burning fire, as I discover more disturbing facts about the lives of those who have and still are being tortured by another human being.

When I was asked to be on the Board, here in the UK I was totally overcome with gratitude and fear, as it is a huge responsibility to guide this charity onward to awaiting adventures and growth. I see Hopefull Handbags becoming one of the foremost domestic abuse charities in the world, with the capacity to support, guide and encourage millions of women and children. I know this is possible because the individual passion that each volunteer has is immense and when combined it’s a superpower.

When I am not working with Hopefull Handbags, my full-time employment is within the local government. I spend my working day working with families who need support. I work a lot in the area of childrens safeguarding, whether it is domestic violence related or around the areas of neglect. Each day is extremely varied and allows me to use all my skills and knowledge in the area of protection.

Not one to spend my time idly and as a creative who has a mind full of ideas and visions. I am also a best selling author, publishing my memoir Escaping Bohemia, in 2020. It tells the story of my young life in a home full of abuse and shame and ultimately how I overcame it. I am also a photographer and have won awards for my portrait photography, for which I am extremely proud, particularly as one of the images is of my own daughter. I consider myself a Creative Storyteller-whether by photography or the written word, I like to take my viewer/reader on a journey.

I love learning and growing and try very hard to allow my intrigue in different subjects to lead me down different unknown paths. This has given me over the last few years a A* in GCSE English-because I had to prove to myself that I could write! A Level 2 in counseling because sharing knowledge and helping others, is how we make the world a better place and qualifications in subjects such as Art Therapy, natural medicines and many more. Yep, I’m one of those people who find nearly everything interesting.

Personally, my life is filled with two wonderful daughters who are going to take the world by storm and fill me with unmeasurable pride each and every day. We have had some amazing highs together which have been engulfed, only at times, by the domestic abuse and control that we suffered at the hands of my husband. We are still fighting the fight, at the time of this writing, to break the bonds that allow him to still have control. Our day is coming!

You can join me on my journey and grab a copy of my memoir here.

Drop me a message, I would love to connect.

“True connection in a totally unconnected world is what we need now, more than ever”. Sophia 

Holistic health and wellness are deeply important to me, and I am always open to growing and learning. I enjoy discovering and experimenting with new recipes, sharing them with others to inspire a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

My family, my beautiful daughter and our amazing cat, are my world. I cherish quiet moments, especially early mornings at the beach, which help me set a positive tone for my day. Through these practices, I have learned to create the life I deserve and embrace the freedom to live fully on my own terms.

I am honored to serve on the Executive Board of Hopefull Handbags, a role I take very seriously. It allows me to help the organization grow and thrive in its mission to support survivors and their children of domestic abuse.

I was thrilled and humbled to participate as an author in our collaborative book, Handbags: Turning Hope Into Happiness, where I shared my story. I hope it brings inspiration and encouragement to others experiencing domestic abuse, showing them that they too can create the life they deserve.

I look forward to continuing my work with Hopefull Handbags, helping the organization expand to new areas, raise awareness about domestic abuse, and support survivors and their children in realizing that there truly is life after domestic abuse.

I also coordinate Hopefull Handbags’ water project in Kenya, where we are making strides in improving access to clean water, a vital resource that helps foster healthier and more stable communities. Our mission is to create lasting change for women and children, offering them the opportunity to thrive in safe, nurturing environments.

Together, we are stronger, and through Hopefull Handbags, I am committed to being part of the solution—helping to uplift, support, and empower those who need it most.