Wandsworth Care Alliance

Ryan Jong; corporate world to volunteering

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After a long and successful career in the corporate world, Ryan Jong is embracing a new chapter, one that’s all about giving back. Having recently retired in December 2024, Ryan is looking to join Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA) as a trustee, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective on community support.

“I wanted to use my skills to give something back,” Ryan says. “Before retiring, I was a partner at a Big Four accountancy firm, where I built and led a department of 60 people. My background is in financial services, statistics, and risk management, areas that might not seem immediately relevant to the voluntary sector, but I’ve found there are more similarities than you might think.”

Although Ryan had always been interested in volunteering, Ryan’s demanding career and family life left little time for it over the past two decades. But now, with more time on his hands and a desire to stay purposeful in retirement, he’s diving into this new role with energy and enthusiasm.

Finding a suitable volunteering role

While exploring volunteering opportunities in Wandsworth, the trustee position at WCA stood out.

“I was looking for something where I could truly add value,” Ryan explains. “Given my past experience working closely with boards and governance, the trustee role at WCA seemed like a natural fit.”

Ryan acknowledges that, at first glance, his background in finance and statistics might not appear directly related to the voluntary and community sector. But he sees a deeper connection.

“The challenges that many charities and community organisations face today, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, aren’t unlike the challenges financial institutions faced during the 2008 crisis. It’s all about adapting, continuing to serve the public good, and finding sustainable ways to operate in uncertain times.”

Ryan’s advice to anyone potential interested in volunteering

When asked what advice he would give to others considering volunteering or a trustee role, Ryan is clear: “Just go for it.”

“Even if you don’t think you ‘fit’ perfectly, your experiences might still be valuable. Everyone has something to contribute. When I was building my team, I never wanted 60 clones of myself. I wanted different opinions, different perspectives. That’s what leads to better results.”

Looking ahead

Though he’s still new to the role, Ryan is excited about what lies ahead.

“It’s early days, but I hope to get to know WCA better and to make a meaningful contribution. My goal is simple: I want to leave WCA in a better place than when I joined.”

We’re excited to have Ryan on board and look forward to the impact he’ll make as part of our dedicated trustee team. If you’re inspired by his story and are thinking about volunteering or becoming a trustee yourself, take that first step, you never know where it might lead.

Get in touch with us at communications@wandcareall.org.uk

From Volunteer to Trustee: Samreen Mulji’s Journey

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At Wandsworth Care Alliance, we’re proud to celebrate the inspiring journeys of people who dedicate their time and heart to their communities. One such individual is Samreen Mulji, whose path from volunteering as a children’s reading supporter to now being appointed a trustee at WCA is nothing short of remarkable.

How it all began

Samreen first got involved with Learn 2 Love 2 Read a local charity supporting children with their reading. Having moved from India to the UK, Samreen was new to the community and initially connected with the charity as a parent. Her daughter received reading support through Learn 2 Love 2 Read. Grateful for the help her family received, Samreen was inspired to give something back.

Encouraged by another parent at her daughter’s school, she applied to volunteer with the organisation. What started as a personal thank you turned into a life-changing experience.

Over the course of two years, Samreen volunteered both in person and online with Learn 2 Love 2 Read. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to support children’s reading remotely, adapting to the challenges with resilience and compassion.

Samreen shared that volunteering helped her not only learn new skills such as communication, patience, and understanding the cultural nuances of the UK, but also gave her a deep sense of purpose. One of the highlights for her was the joy she saw in children’s faces when she came to collect them for reading sessions.

“It boosted my confidence just as much as it boosted theirs,” she said.

The power of giving back

Samreen describes volunteering as a way to combat loneliness, connect with others, and feel part of a community. Having previously volunteered with an Islamic food drive charity during the pandemic, delivering food to immigration centres and vulnerable families, Samreen was no stranger to helping others. But it was through Learn 2 Love 2 Read that she found a consistent, structured way to make a lasting difference.

“Volunteering gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling,” she says. “It’s the kind of happiness you can’t buy. You’re doing your bit to keep humanity going.”

Becoming a Trustee

Volunteering eventually led to working as a member of staff at Learn 2 Love 2 Read, and now to a new chapter as a trustee at Wandsworth Care Alliance. Samreen’s journey shows how giving your time, even just a little, can open unexpected doors and build confidence, connections, and community.

We asked Samreen what advice she would give to individuals considering volunteering, she said:

“Be fearless. No one is judging you. If one role isn’t right for you, try another. Just give your time, it makes a difference.” We’re proud to have Samreen as part of the WCA team and thank her for her continued dedication to strengthening the Voluntary and Community Sector in Wandsworth.

If you’re interested in volunteering, have a look on our volunteering platform where we have a range of roles available to suit your needs. Click here.

For more information contact our volunteering team at volunteering@wandcareall.org.uk.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

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Community impact highlights from our Mental Health Project Manager

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re proud to spotlight some of the work of our Voicing Views – Mental Health Project Manager (PM), who has been at the forefront of tackling inequality and improving access to inclusive care across our community.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Parents through Perinatal challenges

In partnership with Queer Wandsworth, our PM was involved in an initiative to explore the perinatal mental health experiences of LGBTQIA+ parents. The engagement revealed a number of barriers and emotional challenges:

  • Emotional instability & stigma: many felt ashamed or dismissed during pregnancy and early parenthood.
  • Exclusion from services: barriers to accessing care, especially for trans individuals were reported, driven by binary-centric systems and staff misunderstandings.
  • Non-inclusive language: phrases like “Mother-baby unit” led to feelings of invisibility.
  • Lack of staff training: Gaps in knowledge created miscommunication and clinical risk.
  • Loss of identity & belonging: many struggled to find support networks that recognised their lived experiences.
  • Value of inclusive support: peer-led and identity-affirming spaces were seen as vital.

These preliminary insights will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of LGBTQIA+ perinatal mental health needs and more inclusive service planning. These findings are due to be formally published in the Transgender journal of health in late 2025.

Improving cancer outcomes in underserved communities

Working alongside Macmillan Cancer Support and RM Partners, the PM participated in focus groups and strategic forums to explore mental health and wellbeing across cancer care pathways, especially for ethnically diverse and low-income communities.

Key themes identified:

  • Better information access: patients need clearer, culturally relevant information.
  • Emotional & peer support: gaps in counselling, especially in minority groups, are significant.
  • Improved communication: medical language can feel overwhelming without advocacy or explanation.
  • Digital & financial exclusion: practical support must go beyond medical care.
  • Encouraging early screening: tackling fear, stigma, and low awareness is crucial.
  • Aftercare & recovery: survivors need stronger post-treatment pathways, especially to return to work.
  • Palliative care understanding: Cultural stigma often delays support at the end-of-life stage.

The PM’s continued involvement in the RM Partners People & Communities Strategic Forum ensures that mental health remains a core part of cancer service planning.

Bridging gaps through data & community

As part of ongoing collaboration with RM Partners, the following priorities have emerged:

  • Data-led deprivation mapping to identify hidden inequalities.
  • Accessible digital services for both primary and secondary care.
  • Community outreach to design services with the people who need them most.
  • Culturally sensitive engagement to reduce stigma and improve service trust.

Looking ahead

The Mental Health Project Manager continues to serve as a connector between the community and system-level health initiatives.

By centring marginalised voices, addressing stigma, and championing early intervention, Voicing Views are shaping a future where mental health support is inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all.

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Week, these community insights underscore the importance of inclusive strategies and sustained engagement to reduce mental health inequalities and improve population wellbeing.

WCA joins Mindful Employer to champion Mental Health at work

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We’re proud to announce that Wandsworth Care Alliance has joined the Mindful Employer program, committing to support better mental health at work.

The Mindful Employer Charter, developed by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, is a national initiative supporting organisations to take a positive and practical approach to mental wellbeing in the workplace. By signing the Charter, WCA has made a public commitment to:

  • Provide non-judgemental, proactive support
  • Create an inclusive, stigma-free environment
  • Equip managers to support staff wellbeing
  • Uphold fair recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act (2010)

As a signatory, we gain access to exclusive resources, support, and the option to introduce a cost-effective Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that benefits both employees and volunteers.

This step reinforces our ongoing commitment to creating a healthy, supportive workplace culture for our team, our partners, and the wider community we serve.

Learn more about the programme here: mindfulemployer.dpt.nhs.uk

Supporting community growth: Our Roehampton and Wandsworth Care Alliance, fundraising workshop for partner organisations

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On Friday 4th April 2025, Our Roehampton, in collaboration with Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA), held a successful fundraising workshop for local community groups. Designed to build confidence and skills in fundraising, the in-person event welcomed seven groups, including two new to the network for an engaging afternoon of practical learning, information-sharing, and networking.

Meeting the funders

The workshop began with presentations from two key funders:

  • Sarayu Shah, Community Project Officer at Groundwork London, introduced the Tesco Community Grants scheme and shared how local groups can access this funding to support community initiatives.
  • Harriet Steele, Voluntary Sector Partnership Manager at Wandsworth Council, provided an overview of the Council’s grant funding process. She acknowledged the challenges some groups have faced and encouraged early conversations with Council officers to better understand the application requirements and avoid technical rejections.

Practical skills in Grant Writing

The core of the event was a hands-on training session led by Alison Ewart, a fundraising consultant with WCA. Alison guided participants through the essentials of writing strong funding applications, including how to build realistic budgets. Her practical, interactive approach sparked insightful questions from attendees.

To support their ongoing learning, Alison later shared helpful resources, including:

  • A budget template
  • A list of small funders from the Greater London Authority
  • Ideas for community fundraising
  • A guide to financial controls for small voluntary organisations

Exploring support and building connections

Ravi Vyas, Development Manager at WCA, spoke with attendees about the tailored support WCA can offer. Many groups were not yet familiar with WCA’s services, and the conversation was a valuable opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build new relationships. Participants also enjoyed networking time with each other, helping to strengthen the wider Roehampton community network.

This workshop is a great example of how practical training, meaningful connections, and shared support can empower local groups to build capacity and create lasting impact.

Interested in more events like this? Email Ravi@wandcareall.org.uk to book onto future development workshops.

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