Our Team

Debbie Shaffer, Founder

Debbie is the founder of FTWW / Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales, set up in 2013 as a result of her own lengthy diagnostic delays and struggles to access specialist treatment in Wales. Sensing that this would be a widespread issue, not least because of gender stereotypes which see ‘women’s health issues’ dismissed and under-served, Debbie created the FTWW community and now registered charity, where those affected could share their experiences and come together to advocate for change. As a disabled woman and health-service user, Debbie regularly represents patients on Welsh Government groups and wider UK clinical bodies, and is pleased to call herself a ‘critical friend’ to policy-makers. 

Dr Sally Rees, Chair

has a national role in Wales’s third sector, particularly in health and social care, and is a long-standing supporter of FTWW. Sally has a wealth of experience to bring to the organisation, her main role being the National Third Sector Health and Social Care Co-ordinator at WCVA  (Wales Council for Voluntary Action) working within the context of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, 2014 and ‘A Healthier Wales’.

Alison Pritchard, Trustee

Alison has been working in and around the third sector since graduating in 2009, having previously volunteered for a number of organisations and lead Swansea University’s Raise and Give society in her final year. She has spent the last four years at WCVA, recently becoming Head of Support. Her main experience is in funding and fundraising – skills and knowledge of which she hopes to bring to FTWW to help build the organisation’s longer-term sustainability.

Alison was drawn to FTWW after reading Invisible Women, which crystalised the issue of just how little women’s health is understood (globally) and how impactful this inequality is on both our day to day lives and wider society.  

Claire Foster, Trustee

A diversity, equality and inclusion specialist, passionate about making things better. Claire is currently working as a healthcare inspector for Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. Claire has 20 years of experience in the voluntary sector specialising in mental health at Mind Cymru and gender equality at Chwarae Teg. She has provided diversity and inclusion consultancy to multinational organisations and has worked with many business in the UK to promote wellbeing and mental health initiatives for their staff.

Claire is an experienced chair of governors at a local school and also a board member at a music charity in Wales.

Dee Dickens, Trustee

Dee Dickens (pronouns she/they) comes from a trades union background with special skills in activism, negotiation and generally rallying the troops.

She is also a woman. One that has had a slew of health conditions since they first started puberty. Dee is Autistic with ADHD and is determined to make things better for the women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) people of Wales and to do it via co-production. Nothing About Us Without Us are words they live by along with Be You, The World Will Adjust.

A PhD student and slam poet, Dee is very much looking forward to getting stuck into her new role. 

Jon Stevens, Trustee

has worked in a range of roles within the public and third sector over the course of his career.  In recent years he has worked extensively in the Advocacy sector, supporting individuals with diverse needs and issues, in a range of health and social care settings.  Having stepped into management, Jon has been responsible for the development and delivery of a number of Advocacy projects across North Wales, and maintains an active caseload providing direct advocacy support.  Jon is currently the CEO of North Wales Advice and Advocacy Association.   

Julie Ann Richards, Trustee

Based in south east Wales, Julie has a twenty-year background in strategic communications in the public and private sector. She’s a passionate advocate for equality for women and girls, an ‘Ask Me Ambassador’ and ‘Expert by Experience’ for Welsh Women’s Aid, and holds memberships with several women’s rights groups in Wales and the UK.

“I hope to bring my strategic communications expertise and understanding of  the Well-being of Future Generations Act and Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act to my work with FTWW.“

June Jeremy, Trustee

June has a Finance Admin background primarily working in Payroll/Pension environment, and before retiring she worked for an Education charity Addysg Oedolion Cymru (formerly Workers Education Association) for nearly 20 years, also serving firstly as a Staff Observer then Staff Governor over an eight year period. 

On a personal level, June experienced the difficulties of being diagnosed with endometriosis (over 15 years) and other health issues, and is looking forward to contributing her personal / work experience to help FTWW move forward in helping the women of Wales achieve equality and more for their health issues. 

Karen Hiu Ching Lo, Trustee

Karen has been a volunteer for FTWW for a number of years. She moved to Cardiff to study medicine yet found herself struggling with her own health at the same time.

Having faced barriers both as a patient and a medical student, she is determined to be the doctor that she would personally want to see – empathetic, caring and respecting her patients as people – an equal.  

Karen’s aim is to improve NHS Wales on a systemic-level through coproduction, ensuring patients’ concerns are communicated effectively and relaying considerations from clinicians to promote shared-decision making and understanding between all parties.  

Kirsty Pringle, Trustee

Kirsty has worked in a variety of roles in her 20 year career in Local Government supporting children, young adults and families, and she is currently enjoying maternity leave with her baby twins following successful IVF treatment. Kirsty is Youth Homelessness Coordinator for Powys and project manages a Welsh Government funded Housing First for Youth project for vulnerable young people with complex needs.

She has a holistic health and wellness partnership and also works alongside a Positive Psychologist in delivering wellbeing programmes to organisations, schools and universities. Kirsty first became aware of FTWW when she was searching for answers to her own ill-health and believing it may be due to Endometriosis and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. With the support and guidance from the group she overcame battles with a challenging healthcare system to receive both diagnoses. She has also recently received a diagnosis for ADHD and is keen to support improvements in the recognition and support for people with neurodivergent conditions. She became a volunteer with FTWW, believing passionately in their work and mission.

Kirsty is delighted to become a member of the Board to help FTWW’s in furthering the realisation of health equity in Wales.

Liz Williams, Trustee

Liz currently works at RNIB Cymru, leading on campaigns that aim to reduce the everyday barriers faced by people with sight loss. This includes lobbying policy and decision makers around the importance of accessible health information, as well as the importance of ensuring blind and partially sighted people are not disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis.

“I’m incredibly passionate about tackling health inequalities and I’m delighted to join FTWW as a trustee as I admire its dedication to co-production, meaningful engagement and ensuring the stories of people with lived experience are central to its policy positions.”

Lucy Cone, Trustee

Lucy is an experienced strategic communications and marketing consultant who has worked across voluntary and private sectors in Wales and beyond.

‘FTWW’s mission is something that is close to my heart. Like many of FTWW’s supporters, I have encountered numerous barriers when trying to access the healthcare I needed and I want to help ensure that others do not have the same experience. Joining the board at FTWW gives me the opportunity to contribute my time and expertise to support much needed change, in an area that I am passionate about.’

Tami Rolls, Treasurer

has worked for over 25 years as a senior finance professional, both in the UK and USA. Most of Tami’s career has been within the public health sector, inlcuding her role as Interim Finance Director of Public Health Wales (PHW). Tami has been a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being, and has recently completed a Masters in Public Health. Now at the University of South Wales, Tami manages health education contracts and police apprenticeships.

“I am passionate about women’s equality and empowerment, not least because I have two adult daughters.”

Willow Holloway, Trustee

Previously a key worker for adults with autism and learning difficulties, Willow has vast experience in supporting disabled children and adults. Willow has delivered consultation events, workshops and training for North Wales Police, and has an extensive knowledge of autism from both a professional and personal perspective. Willow’s roles include Founder of The Autistic Women’s Empowerment Project , Vice Chair –Disability Wales, and Welsh Representative and Chair of Autistic UK.

Louise Evans, Patient Adviser

Louise has a background in Business and Finance, and has travelled the world whilst working in the Hospitality industry. Since then, she has returned to her native North Wales, and, as a consequence of her own personal battles with chronic conditions, is a passionate advocate for women’s health.

Louise has been involved with FTWW from when it was first founded, having previously been a Trustee for several years. As a volunteer she has been responsible for running the charity’s online presence, helping organise events, and many other varied tasks over the years! Louise is keen to use both her positive and negative experiences as a patient to make a difference to others, and to empower women to advocate for themselves – in order to get the best care possible. 

Dee Montague-Coast, Engagement Officer

In 2020, Dee (she/her) left her career in Marketing and PR to follow her dream of studying an MA in Creative Writing. She then joined FTWW as Engagement Officer in 2021, having previously volunteered for the charity and benefitted from its peer support during her long battle to be diagnosed with endometriosis. She is a matchmaker, working with volunteers, stakeholders and partner organisations to ensure patient voices are heard. Dee also leads on our PR and social media activity. 

 

Dee continues to volunteer; she is a patient representative for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia with the #WomensHealthWales Coalition, is a member of the Royal College Of GPs (RCGP) Cymru’s Patient Forum, and is the Devolved Nation Rep – Wales on the UK-wide RCGP’s Patient and Carers Partnership Group. Dee is also a mentor on the Equal Power Equal Voice scheme.

 

Dee is a queer and disabled feminist who is passionate about inclusivity and equity. She was recently awarded a distinction in her MA, and writes about disability and ableism, bereavement, loss and grief. Despite her lived experience of all of that, Dee is a happy and positive cheerleader who aims to change the world (or at least our corner of it) and believes that her dream job with FTWW offers her the perfect opportunity to do so.