Experienced Service Head and senior leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry as well as Special Education (SEMH). Highly Skilled in Adolescent Mental Health, Developmental Trauma, Sensory Processing approaches and interventions, Coaching, Case Management, Clinical and Management Supervision, and Occupational Therapy Interventions-evidence based practice. Strong professional support with a highly inclusive and analytical thinking, s risk management and service restructure fit for the future.

Evangelia was born in Greece in 1975 and always loved teaching, music and dancing. Her father had a physical disability. He was her inspiration to want to help other people with disabilities. Evangelia grew up learning what it means to give and not necessarily waiting to get something back, how to be grateful for what you have, and how to get your strength together when things become difficult and life is a big challenge. These are values of resilience, hope and togetherness.

She came to UK in 2002 after getting a scholarship from Athens-Greece and The Institute of Public Scholarships. Evangelia is forever grateful to IKY for the opportunity she was given. Evangelia completed her MSc in Paediatric OT and started working in the NHS from 2003 until 2018 in various settings: Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Services, Paediatric Community Services and Paediatric Therapies, independent schools, as well as Head of community adult mental Health services. Today, Evangelia is the Head of Occupational therapy Services in a CAMHS inpatient Service in London.

As an experienced Occupational Therapist herself, she has seen the massive impact that Occupational Therapy can have in people's lives of all ages, especially in Mental Health. Occupational Therapy is recognised as the catalyst for recovery and independence that brings together social, medical and psychological theories and models of practice to create a unique approach that sees the person holistically.

In Life-OT, a new service offer for all children and young People as well as adults in Havering and surrounding Boroughs, Evangelia and the team share the values of resilience, togetherness and hope. Life-OT is here to support everyone who needs advice, guidance, therapeutic input or professional mentoring. We aim to provide individualised and highly personalised interventions that do not only meet the needs but exceed expectations. We do not offer magic solutions and cannot promise miracles. What we can promise is honesty, co-production, collaboration and engagement in order to empower the individuals to maximise their independence in their daily lives.

Life-OT can support children, young people and adult service users as well as their families and carers who face challenges with mental health issues, learning difficulties and related issues such as:

• Hand writing difficulties
• Sensory Processing challenges
• Fine motor and gross motor skills difficulties
• Difficulties with Self-Esteem
• Challenging behaviour
• ASD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship Difficulties
• Social Skills difficulties
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Chronic Mental Health issues
• Professional/Career Issues
• College/Graduate School Issues
• Medical and Health Concerns
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Other Issues

Kristina is an experienced OT who is very passionate and approachable. Since completing her degree in psychology in 2011 she worked in various mental health settings with young people and adults which included hospital and community services as well as supported accommodation. She was inspired to become an occupational therapist after working as an assistant in a community mental health team where she fell in love with the practical and systemic approach as well as group therapy.

After qualifying she also worked in a physical health setting which included working on the paediatric orthopaedic and sarcoma ward. She also volunteered in Nepal at a home for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, where she created a multi-sensory room and trained the staff on how to use the room as well as on other areas such as posture.

All of her experiences have not only strengthened her clinical skills, but it has also provided her with great opportunities of working with individuals from various backgrounds and ages. Kristina is competent in using standardised and observational assessments, adapting/adjusting individual’s occupation or their environment to enable them to participate in meaningful activities. Kristina applies different frame of references such as cognitive behavioural theories as well as sensory processing to address the individual’s specific needs.

Kristina is very passionate about providing person-centred care using occupational therapy models to assess individual’s needs, implementing and monitoring their goals to achieve a better quality of life. She always strives towards achieving exceptional outcomes for individuals by collaboratively reflecting and reviewing their progress and allowing them to take control of their recovery.

When she is not working, Kristina likes to keep active through going on hikes, running, yoga or playing sports such as squash and basketball. Kristina also enjoys reading and recently started to engage in some creative writing.

Kristina has said: “I am proud to be part of Life OT and its vision of empowering individuals to establish a strong identity through meaningful occupations, by engaging in nurturing, holistic and collaborative work with individuals”.

Antonette is a highly experienced Sports Therapist and the CEO of Total Function, a community-focused organisation providing injury rehabilitation and sports massage services to a diverse clientele, including athletes ranging from boxers, dancers, triathletes track and field the past 20 years.

Antonette is also currently working for the East London Foundation Trust at the Coborn, an adolescent inpatient mental health facility in Newham. In this role, she specialises in creating individualised physical health care plans for inpatients, supporting their transition back into the community after discharge. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed staff well-being programs and launched back rehabilitation and Pilates classes for improving back health. These sessions, attended by healthcare professionals, service users, and public members by referral, continue to run both online and in person.

Antonette additionally brings over a decade of experience working with older adults through Blackfriars Settlement, a charitable organisation in Southwark, where she has supported older individuals in enhancing their physical health and fitness. Her career as a sports therapist spans over 20 years, marked by a deep commitment to promoting health and well-being across various community settings.

Cláudia da Costa is a highly skilled Senior Specialist Paediatric Dietitian with extensive experience in clinical dietetics. Currently working at Barts Health NHS Trust, she has been in this role since January 2022. Her expertise includes covering neonatal and paediatric nutrition as well as addressing complex cases in an adolescent inpatient mental health unit.

Previously, Cláudia served as a Specialist Paediatric Dietitian at the same institution and London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, where she worked on paediatric dietetic care. Her prior roles include acute dietitian positions at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, focusing on elderly and medical/surgical wards, with a particular interest in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Cláudia's career began with foundational roles such as a clinician's assistant and student dietitian at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals, gaining valuable experience in pulmonary hypertension in children and clinical dietetics. Her dedication to dietetics and paediatric care is evident through her consistent contributions across leading NHS institutions in the UK.

Efstathia is a senior OT who is driven and deeply committed to providing compassionate, client-centred care that fosters independence and enhances the quality of life.

In the realm of mental health, she focuses on promoting coping strategies, enhancing life skills, and improving daily functioning for individuals facing mental health challenges. A strong foundation of experience has been layered as she has been in the mental health setting for the past five years within the East London Foundation Trust, working across adult acute inpatient mental health wards (including female, male and PICU). In the last couple of years, she has been under the Specialist-Perinatal Mental Health Team, supporting mums postnatally and antenatally to overcome challenges, develop new skills and thrive through that journey of motherhood.

In paediatrics, her work emphasises fostering developmental milestones, facilitating sensory regulation, and supporting children in their academic, social, and play-based activities. Her experience started while she was working as a teacher assistant and education advisor during and after her Occupational Therapy studies. At the same time, while she was completing her studies, she facilitated a 6-month placement in a paediatric clinic with the East London Foundation Trust. Currently, she has been studying for her Master's Degree in Sensory Integration and serving private Occupational Therapy interventions to children, supporting their daily occupations and achieving their optimal functional independence and well-being.

Bethany is a Specialist CAMHS Mental Health Nurse with experience of over 8 years, having worked in multiple CAMHS inpatient units nationally and within specialist crisis teams. The majority of her career has been within the hospital setting, working with children and families in crisis, assessing and managing risk.

She has additional experience and expertise in working with children with neurodiversity and eating disorders. Her dedication to understanding children and their experiences, including trauma and emotions, is continuously at the forefront of Bethany’s mind. This is achieved by consistently educating herself and developing her skills and knowledge. She is a Non-Medical Prescriber, DBT trained, and ADOS trained.

Her passion is demonstrated by adopting a work ethic that encompasses prioritising children’s voices and allowing people to feel heard and seen. “People will never forget the way you make them feel.”

Her love for working with children is shown by continuously joining in with activities and conversations, bringing some positivity and fun into what seems to be some of the most challenging times for our children, and relating to them whilst also maintaining professional boundaries and relationships.