Our People

Polly Van Marken

Polly founded Brighter Together in 2019 after experiencing first-hand the impact and importance of grandparents in both her own life and her children’s lives. She is a former Management Consultant with experience leading national programmes for education charities, and has over 10 years’ experience developing strategy and designing, delivering and scaling programmes. Polly holds the International Diploma in Intergenerational Learning.

The beauty of bringing together adults with early years children is that it brings out an honesty and a sense of what really matters – spending time together, having fun and learning from one another. Our sessions are filled with shared moments and laughter that can completely change how someone feels about their day. It’s a privilege to build Brighter Together with a team, partners, funders, and participants who share the same belief.

Kate Zilio

With a background in creative agencies in London and New York, Kate brings two decades of experience in project management and team leadership. As she became increasingly aware of the absence of grandparents in her own children’s lives, Kate was inspired by Brighter Together’s mission to bring generations together and joined the organisation in 2025. ​

It’s a privilege to be part of such a dedicated and driven team that put so much care and purpose in to every aspect of the programme. The greatest reward is seeing first-hand how even the smallest shared moment can bring smiles to faces and brighten someone’s day.

Charlie Cameron

Charlie joined Brighter Together as a facilitator in 2024. Alongside acting, she has worked in nurseries and play groups, and for Age UK as a Pilates instructor, specialising in movement and post-operative recovery. Charlie’s career as an actor brings energy, entertainment and communication skills to Brighter Together sessions.

The thing I enjoy most is watching the relationships develop between the children and the care home residents. The first session, I ask a question to a silent room. But by the last session there is so much talking! It is the most heartwarming, soul enhancing experience I think I’ve ever had.

Nicky D’Offay

Nicky’s background is in teaching, with experience in both primary and nursery school settings. She joined Brighter Together in 2025 alongside another role working at a charity in Richmond Park, specialising in teaching people with special educational needs and disabilities.

I absolutely love my weekly sessions with Brighter Together. It’s so heartwarming to see the genuine connections that form between the children and their older friends. The smiles, the giggles, and the beautiful work they create together make for such a joyful hour. The look on the adults’ faces when the children walk into the room says it all. I’m proud to be part of something that brings so much happiness and connection to my local community.

Gina Gerard

Gina joined the Brighter Together team in 2025 and brings a strong background in working with children, having worked as a primary school teacher and Portage home visitor providing home learning for pre-school children with additional needs or recognised disabilities. She has also worked for a care agency, supporting elderly clients in their homes.

It has been so rewarding to see the enjoyment and pleasure the grownups are getting from their interactions with the children. It is also lovely to see the children, some of whom are quite reserved, increasingly chatting away to the grownups and willingly engaging with them in the activities and songs. I come away feeling elated!

Katy Heale

Katy began her career as a secondary school teacher, spending twelve years in education before taking time out to raise her own children. During this period, she began attending playgroups and preschool sessions where she discovered a passion for working with Early Years children. Katy has been part of Brighter Together since 2021 and plays a key role in training new team members.

The thing that I enjoy most about Brighter Together sessions is the sense of fun they bring and the connections that develop between the children and their grown-up friends. My favourite part is taking a step back and observing what is happening, I also love listening to the many interesting conversations that take place between the children and the older people, fascinating!

Nel Holland

Nel joined the Brighter Together team in 2025. Nel’s background is in education, delivering RSE (relationships and sex education) sessions in primary and secondary schools to help young people navigate relationships. She has also volunteered as a befriender at Richmond Age UK.

I love going into the care homes every week and seeing the same group of residents and children, you really start to build strong bonds with them, which is very rewarding.

Marie Liesch

Marie has extensive experience working with older adults, through her volunteer work for Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK, as well as her experience in both a care home and a home care agency supporting people living with dementia. She currently also works as the Dementia Coordinator at The Creighton Centre, providing supportive programmes for the people of West London.

I had a close friendship with an elderly couple, where the wife had severe Alzheimer’s. I helped them almost daily over eight years — and each time I brought my youngest son with me, the transformation in them was extraordinary. This has deepened my belief in the power of intergenerational connection — and my desire to help make it happen wherever I can.

Lottie Morley-Fletcher

Lottie’s career experience has been focused on education and working with young people. She was an Early Years teacher for 25 years, alongside tutoring and Sunday School teacher roles for many years. More recently, she has worked as a carer/nurse, which is where she first saw a Brighter Together session whilst supporting one of her clients. She joined the team in 2024, first as a volunteer, then trained to become a Session Facilitator.

My job at Brighter Together is incredibly rewarding as it brings together my two favourite age groups, and that is where the magic happens! The sessions are the highlight of my week and it is such a privilege to be able to work with this fantastic charity.

Pepe Plummer

Pepe served as a Deputy Head Teacher during her career, and after retiring, she found herself missing the practical, hands-on side of school life – especially the everyday humour children bring. She joined the Brighter Together team as a volunteer in 2024 and quickly saw the genuine joy the sessions brought to the adults and young children, so she trained as a Session Facilitator.

I love seeing people relax, sharing stories and experiences, and hearing first-hand about the past. The children make us all laugh and everyone leaves with a smile on their face!

Laura Power

Laura joined the team in 2022, after participating in Brighter Together’s innovative intergenerational play, The Other Pond. Laura’s background in acting and writing brings creativity and elements of drama and play into the weekly sessions.

I love having the opportunity to work alongside such wonderful groups of people. I value what the young and old bring to the sessions and it’s a privilege to get to share in their magic and witness the joy their interactions bring.

Sarah Sansbury

Sarah worked as a Children and Families Social Worker for twelve years and has extensive experience supporting children, before taking a career break to start her family. Her youngest son took part in an intergenerational project whilst at primary school, and found it was such an enriching experience that the parents and older adults kept the group going and continue to meet regularly. Sarah joined Brighter Together in 2024.

I really enjoy watching the children and adults making such special connections. It is lovely seeing the joy that the children bring to the adult’s lives but also how excited the children are to visit each week. I feel very lucky to work for such a fantastic charity.

Andy Melia

Andy has almost 20 years’ experience as a charity leader, including leadership roles at Heart of the City, Open for Business and Business in the Community. His experience includes supporting charities to operate and function more effectively, brokering business support into charities and advising on the development of cross-sector partnerships. Andy has been a trustee for a number of charities since 2012 and has also been a member of Government advisory boards on communities policy and volunteering.

I became involved in Brighter Together because of my Grandad, who suffered from dementia. I saw firsthand the difference that it made to him when he was with my younger cousins or nieces and nephews, and want to help share this with others. Being able to work with such a dedicated and passionate team who are creating that difference is what keeps me coming back!

Dr Sue Allingham

Sue is one of the country’s leading voices in Early Years teaching and learning. She developed her career in school with classroom experience and Senior Leadership roles, before becoming a Lead Teacher and trainer for Hounslow local authority.

She is now an independent Consultant working nationally and internationally. Sue holds an MA and EdD in Early Childhood Education and has been involved with the development of Brighter Together since the pilot programme. Sue has been an integral part of designing the programme of activities, observations and assessment that maximise the benefit of our groups spending time together.

It’s been a pleasure to work with Brighter Together, I’m honoured to be a Trustee and member of the Advisory Group too. My Dad now has Alzheimer Dementia and being involved with this charity has taught me a great deal.

Iciar Ania

Iciar Ania has a background in social investment, investment banking and the third sector. Iciar is currently an Executive Director at Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, focusing on the design, implementation and delivery of outcomes partnerships in the children, young people and families’ space.

Iciar also spent 2 years in Cambodia working for a charity that supports families of people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Iciar holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in Boston and from ICADE in Madrid, and an MBA from INSEAD.

Growing up with my grandparents close by has been a gift, and I’m excited to support Brighter Together in building meaningful intergenerational relationships for both young and old—especially for those who haven’t had the chance to experience them.

Parita Doshi

Parita spent 6 years working with Oomph Wellness, a social enterprise which was the largest Wellbeing provider for the care sector. She played a critical role in supporting the scale-up of the organisation from 6 to 80+ employees, and also ran the wellbeing training division which supported care home staff to enhance the quality of life for older people. Parita is currently the Deputy Director at Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good, within its ‘A Healthy Life’ mission.

I love what we do at Brighter Together as I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact on older people of having little kids around. Not only this, but it’s incredible to see the benefit for the children too, of building wonderful relationships across generations.

Boyana Ivanov

Boyana is a certified accountant with broad financial expertise and experience across the retail, social commerce, and property development sectors. Boyana is also a member of the Corporate Governance Institute, further enhancing her ability to support robust governance, financial risk management, and compliance within any organisation.

Boyana is currently the Company Secretary for London Square (London-based property developer) and for Square Roots (London-based registered provider of social housing).

Volunteering with Brighter Together brings me personal satisfaction and a deep sense of purpose for giving something back to the community. I am passionate about using my skills to support Brighter Together and create a positive change. I am motivated by the genuine passion of the whole team and all the volunteers around me, and the shared commitment to making a difference.

Nigel Slone

As Founder and CEO of a successful health analytics company, Nigel brings 30 years of experience in growth to the Brighter Together Trustee team. His expertise in strategic planning, financial sustainability and corporate governance & compliance helps Brighter Together deliver on its ambitious growth plans.

Brighter Together brings joy and well-being to some of our most vulnerable groups in the community. Our people and activities help bridge the generational divide and in doing so, we improve the social and emotional wellbeing of our oldest and youngest people. It is a powerful and urgent story, and very rewarding to be part of.