London and South team

I Joined the BLF in 1999 and have held 4 different positions in the organisation before taking on my current role of Support & Development Manager for the London & South region. I have been working with patients and Breathe Easy members for almost 13 years and have been involved in pioneering patient events such as the BLF Lung March, World COPD Day events; camapigned for improved oxygen services and provision of pulmonary rehabilitation; organsised health professional symposia and national & regional BLF conferences. I have also helped to influence the NICE guidelines for the treatment of COPD and Tuberculosis.

I work with a number of different health and respiratory organisation; including SHA respiratory boards, oxygen procurement groups and commissioning groups to ensure that people with lung disease receive the best care and services they deserve.

Most of my spare time is spent with my baby daughter but I also enjoy running, cycling and walking in the hills and escaping to watch live bands.

Email Ashley

Clair Evans - Development Manager

Hi, I am Clair. Previously a Development Officer for three years, I am now the Development Manager, which means I manage the DOs, and support them in delivering training days, networking and forums, developing resources to support Breathe Easy groups.
While I am sad that I won't see the East of England groups as much, I am very much looking forward to getting to know other Breathe Easy groups across the London & South region.

I have worked in charities for the last 8 years with stints at both Scope (for people with cerebral palsy) and Turning Point (for people with drug and alcohol problems) but both were office-based jobs and I was very pleased to get a job where I was working directly with the people that matter. I also volunteer as a trustee for a small charity that runs an activity centre for kids and teenagers with learning disabilities and also get involved in other local projects.

As many of my groups know my first passion is my allotment and I love nothing better than losing myself amongst my spuds. I try not to talk about it incessantly, but it’s not easy. Cooking comes second and pretending to be chef is my preferred activity on a rainy day.

Email Clair

Claire Battye - Development Officer for the East of England

Hello, I’m Claire and I am the Development Officer for the East of England. My region is really big and stretches all the way from Essex right up to Suffolk and Norfolk, including Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire too. It’s great to get out and about and visit so many different places – I grew up in Leicester so it is a new part of the country for me to explore. There are about 30 Breathe Easy groups in my region at the moment and I am keen to help expand the network by setting up some new ones too.

I have worked in the charity sector since graduating from university in Durham, where I studied English Literature and French. I previously work for a housing charity in London, and prior to that I worked in the BLF’s Midlands office as Regional Administrator.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking and, occasionally, running. I am also trying to learn Spanish at the moment, although I’ve still got a long way to go!

Email Claire

Dominic Papineau - Development Officer for the South-East

Hi! I’m Dominic, Development Officer for the South-East. I’m very lucky that I get to venture all the way from Kent right down to the Isle of Wight and all the way up to the top of Oxfordshire. I work with a fantastic variety of groups both large and small but all doing their absolute best to help people affected by lung conditions. At the moment I've got around 30 groups in my patch but am always looking to get more set up where there are gaps. I really enjoy that I get to work with so many different people in so many different places, my only regret is that I can't get out to see everyone more often.

I’ve always worked in the charity sector and previously worked with voluntary groups within a community centre setting helping them to fundraise and publicise themselves in the local area.

When I’m not running around the South East I often spend my weekends running around a field playing Ultimate Frisbee. Otherwise you'll probably find me with my nose in a book or watching any sport that is on the telly.