You can read staff case studies and stories here. 

Senior Management Team

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David Jenkins - Joint CEO 

David joined Merton CIL in April 2019 with a focus on the evaluation of our Disability hate crime project that covers a number of London boroughs. David has an Economics degree from University College Cardiff, as well as a diploma in Marketing, and has previously held senior positions in Nielsen Market Research, HJ Heinz and IMS Consumer Health. David also does project and evaluation management tasks. He manages our challenging discrimination project and looks after our internal monitoring and evaluation work.

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Charlet Wilson - Joint CEO 

Charlet was born, raised and lives in Merton. Charlet has a degree in Law from Brunel University and a background in communications. She joined Merton CIL in 2015 as she was passionate about using her lived experiences to help create more inclusive and equitable communities. Charlet also has an interest in art and design and how it can be used to push for change. This has informed her work with Disabled people in Merton developing our Craftivism & Chat project. 

 

 

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Stuart Butler - Advice Quality Manager

Stuart joined Merton CIL in 2015. Stuart has an extensive background in advice and advocacy, joining us from Citizens Advice. He read Classics at King's College London and has a degree in Law from Birkbeck, as well as a postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law.

 

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Pippa Maslin - Policy & Campaigns Manager 

A state secondary school English teacher for thirteen years, and then a carer for her father and a media arts university tutor whilst undertaking a Ph.D., Pippa found herself at a crossroads and decided to become a trainee caseworker with Merton Centre for Independent Living in late 2018. Motivated to help Deaf and Disabled people to have greater choice and control, she has gained, through her casework, an understanding of the structural inequities faced by many. Determined to bring about systemic change, she is now our Policy and Campaigns Manager.

 

Front Line Team

Rey Campbell - Advice Service Supervisor 

Rey joined the Merton CIL team in January 2024. Rey holds a Law and Sociology degree from Warwick University and has experience in the charity sector, as well as the civil service. In their spare time, Rey enjoys going to gigs, hiking and all things DIY. 

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Adrianne De Rizzio Palmer - Advocate

Adrianne joined Merton CIL in June 2021, after graduating with a degree in Law. Adrianne has experience within the charity sector, including case work with a Criminal Justice focus, as well as varied voluntary work.

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Paula Brown - Caseworker 

Paula lives in Merton and joined Merton CIL in 2019. In her spare time Paula enjoys gardening. 

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Sarah Jones-Nash - Caseworker

Sarah originally joined Merton CIL in July 2019 as a casework support volunteer. She then progressed and became our office administrator in October 2020 and in April 2021 joined our casework team as a trainee. Sarah has a degree in Communications and 10 years experience in the charity sector working to empower Deaf and Disabled people. In her spare time she enjoys creative writing, going to gigs and swimming.

 

Miral Shaheen - Caseworker

Miral recently joined Merton CIL in February 2024. With a Masters in International Human Rights Law and experience in the charity sector, she’s passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. Miral is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by Disabled people, aiming to create positive change and promote inclusivity.

 

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Lauren Heanon - Communications & Admin Officer 

Lauren joined Merton CIL in October 2023. Lauren has had experience working within the voluntary sector in Merton. Lauren also graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Primary Teaching with Science. In her spare time, Lauren likes to design and create jewellery.

 

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Amelia Knipmeijer - Advice Administrator 

Motivated by her lived experience of a long term health condition to support Deaf and Disabled people, Amelia joined Merton CIL in October 2023 after graduating from Roehampton University with a degree in Sociology.  

 

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Philip Stapel - Trainee Caseworker

Philip joined Merton CIL in Dec 2023. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis.