Fiona Small
Founder
Meet The Team
Fiona Small, founder of the award-winning Young Mum’s Support Network and Director of Fiona Small Consultancy, is carving her own trail as a specialist in her field. A mother of two, she has strong views about providing practical support for mothers, and has established herself as experienced practitioner with a wealth of high-level corporate connections and a portfolio that has allowed her to become an expert and inspirational figure.
The main aim of YMSN is to support low-income families, in particular lone parents, and to help them cope with the pressure of trying to live on a tight budget.
Fiona's connection ranges from NHS England, Barclays Capital, Natwest Bank, and Housing Associations such as L&Q, Optivo and Metropolitan (who are part of the G15 – a consortium that has recently used YMSN’s work as a case study). Under Fiona's direction, YMSN gives hands-on advice to families and runs numerous courses to help mums become more independent, confident and proud of themselves. Fiona is passionate about equipping mothers by providing work experience opportunities with corporate employers that many low-income mothers cannot usually access. YMSN partners with both local authorities and private entities to give mums the best possible range of opportunities.
Granted a ‘Mother of Magnificence’ award in 2018, Fiona has gone through single motherhood and understands first-hand the stigma and isolation which come with society's stereotypes. She is determined to portray a true reflection of why mums who claim state benefits struggle to find suitable employment, acting as a voice for the voiceless and bringing a new, fresh approach to mobilising communities, inspiring women and creating opportunities for those who are most in need.
Douglas is a mental health nurse who is passionately driven to introduce innovative technologies to the hands of health care professionals, that support patient empowerment, user experience whilst improving health outcomes for citizens.
With a strong background in broadcasting, social media. Douglas is the co-director of Centric Health Media, that focuses sharing innovation across Health and Social. Douglas is a Chief Clinical Information Officer and digital influencer who has implemented large scale IT Transformation projects within the Health and Social Care sector for the NHS and private software companies.
His passion for patient empowerment has resulted in a chapter on Collaboration between patients and carers being published in Mental Health & Psychiatry 3rd Edition which is used to train nurses on care planning. He also is an honorary lecturer at Kingston University delivery the Recovery focused Care planning module to pre-registration nurses and RCN Expert Representative for IT & Digital Development.
Douglas Hamandishe
Advisory Board Member
Laverne is a young mother of two daughters. Having started working full time from the age of 15 for a well known banking branch, Laverne fell pregnant at 16 and put her life on hold to dedicate her time to her first daughter. From a young age, Laverne realised the potential in herself and knew that being a young mother didn't put an end to the possibilities of being able to live the life that she wanted. Having escaped a tough relationship, she began rediscovering herself and since then has graduated from university and has had various roles to discover her passion.
During this journey, Laverne has learned a lot about herself, her vision and discovering her purpose in life. She also began her mindfulness journey, studying mindfulness and meditation techniques and hopes to continue to learn more about the practise and becoming a mindfulness advocate. Now believed to be on the right path, Laverne is working on an online business and working towards her own vision which involves being an inspiration and positive influence for other single mothers.
Laverne Thomas
Project Manager
Jernine is a published author of ‘The Naked Truth About Having a Baby’. She is a mother to three children. She loves to encourage, support and empower others, and this fuelled her desire to start She Reigns, an organisation that works to promote self-identity, empower, uplift and motivate women through self-development, affirmations and building self-esteem. She does this through delivering events, workshops, programmes and one to one work with women which involves coaching and mentoring.
She uses her own experiences as a woman, mother and professional and the challenges and obstacles she has overcome to inspire other women. She is an inspiring leader using motivational skills to develop and bring out the best in others.
She has worked within the Criminal Justice System for 17 years. Her roles have been varied and extensive, working within various capacities including Courts, Youth Offending Teams, Prisons and Probation Service. Her skill set is vast and diverse as she has worked with young people, their families and adults in various capacities providing intervention that is holistic, therapeutic and delivers outcomes to improve lives, builds safer communities and breaks the cycle of re-offending. Challenging, developing and equipping individuals with the skills to make life-changing decisions and implement change in their lives.
She is looking forward to contributing her skills and expertise as a Consultant for YSMN and to positively impact the lives of young women who access their services.
Her knowledge and expertise in working with women, particularly those within the Criminal Justice System, coupled with her passion and gifting in interacting with such a vulnerable and often misunderstood group of society, is invaluable.
Jernine Russell
Support Team
My name is Tiffany. I’m a mum to a handsome 4 year old.
I have a passion for working with and support parent/ careers who have children with additional needs.
This is close to my heart as my son has additional needs, I know first hand some of the challenges that come along with supporting / caring for a child who needs more from you.
My aim is to support, education and raise awareness. I’m always here for practical guidance such as finances! Because Life is expensive lol
Tiffany Hesson
Support Team