Our head office is in London, with residential sites at Honeypot Hampshire in The New Forest, Honeypot Pen y Bryn in Powys, and Honeypot Dalleagles in East Ayrshire. From children’s play workers and community supporters, to operations, fundraising and our key partnerships, we all work together to support children across the country.
Senior Leadership Team
Simmi Woodwal
Chief
Executive
As the CEO of Honeypot since 2008, it is an honour to lead a unique organisation where children remain at the heart of everything we do. I am fortunate to be working with a fabulous group of people that are passionate and dedicated to the welfare of children, and this experience is second to none. In the current economy, the challenges facing charities are great, but we strive to continue providing the best possible care to as many children as we can. I am sincerely grateful for the continued support of many individuals, community groups and organisations, the invaluable contribution from our trustees, and the tremendous hard work and commitment of the staff and volunteers throughout Honeypot.
Jenny Ray
Director of Operations
& Strategic Development
I joined Honeypot in 2018 and have held a variety of roles within the management and senior leadership team. I am a charity and education sector leader with over 25 years' experience working with children and families. I am very much looking forward to supporting the further developments of our wraparound services across all our sites in my role as Director of Operatiions and Strategic Development.
Martin Mears
Director of Fundraising
& Communications
I joined Honeypot in 2026 with over 10 years’ experience in the fundraising and charity sector. Previous organisations include Haven House Children’s Hospice, MS Society and Mencap. I'm passionate about working with children and young people and commited to developing our fantastic team of fundraisers to secure much-needed funds for Honeypot and raise the charity’s profile.
Phil Gellhorn
Director
of Finance
I have been with the charity since 2007. Prior to coming to Honeypot I worked for Shelter, the National Deaf Children’s Society and Phoenix Futures (a drug/alcohol rehabilitation charity). Always in the finance department, I have a huge respect for those people out on the front line – whether it be on the end of a telephone or working face to face with people who need what the charity can provide.
Operations
Mathew Barber
Operations Manager
Honeypot Hampshire
I have over 16 years of experience working with young people, including in schools and youth centres. After visiting Honeypot House in the New Forest and learning more about the charity I wanted to be part of something special. It is great to be able to support the team here to provide a place for children to come and have breaks and fun with other children who understand what they are going through.
Mark Phillips
Operations Manager
Honeypot Pen y Bryn
After almost 30 years working in the education sector as a Teacher and Headteacher, I am delighted to join the team at Honeypot as Operations Manager for the Wales site at Pen-y-Bryn. Making a positive difference in the lives of children is so rewarding and I am excited to work with the staff here to create memories through amazing experiences for our fantastic children.
Bruce Ruthven
Operations Manager
Honeypot Dalleagles
After twenty years in professional sport and sport in the community, my new chapter sees me as Operations Manager for Honeypot’s Scotland house. I'm delighted to be working for a very progressive charity that is committed to making a real difference to children and creating long lasting memories. Dalleagles is a fantastic place and I'm looking forward to welcoming staff and young people to Honeypot.
Children's Services
Honeypot
Houses
Meet the children's services teams at our three Honeypot houses.
Fundraising & Communications
Georgina Hargreaves
Head of Corporate
Partnerships
I joined Honeypot in 2019 and was lucky enough to head up their exciting two year partnership with Bank of America. After an amazing two years with the bank, and raising £1 million in the process, I now get to help a number of brilliant corporate partners on their fundraising journey with us. My drive comes from helping children have the break they so desperately need and the childhood fun everyone deserves.
Tom Enser
Senior Corporate
Partnerships Officer
I joined the corporate partnerships team at Honeypot in 2025. Previously I worked for six years in corporate fundraising at a local hospice, and I’m excited to bring that experience into a national role. Supporting children is such an important cause, and I look forward to developing many new corporate partnerships that will raise funds to help make a difference in their lives.
Jess Ramudo
Head of Trusts
& Foundations
I joined Honeypot in 2024, after 17 years as a fundraiser in the charity sector working for Woman's Trust and Catch22. Previously, I worked directly with children as a secondary school teacher. Working for Honeypot feels like a return to my roots and I love spending time with the children on their breaks. I am excited to help Honeypot expand our funding to achieve growth so that more children can be supported.
Hannah Bawden
Trusts & Foundations
Fundraiser
I joined Honeypot in 2026. I previously worked in publishing and most recently worked in the charity sector for the last six years, supporting young people to improve educational and health outcomes. I am very excited to join Honeypot as a fundraiser, continuing to support young people and their families.
Madeleine Van Hilten
Head of Lottery
& Statutory Grants
I joined Honeypot in 2024 in a new role for the charity, securing funding from the Lottery and from local and national government bodies. My experience in grant fundraising was built up over 13 years working for London focused charities such as The Felix Project and Greenhouse Sports, and for international development charities such as MicroLoan Foundation and Transform Trade.
Viv Carter
Fundraising Manager
Hampshire
I love meeting and talking to community groups, clubs and schools about the wonderful work of the Honeypot Children’s Charity – Bumble sometimes comes with me too, which is good fun! I feel very lucky to be based at such a beautiful site in the New Forest, and I enjoy hearing all the fun and laughter from the children that are here for their breaks - it’s a great motivator as a fundraiser.
Henri Yoxall
Head of Marketing
& Communications
I joined Honeypot in 2025 with senior level experience in the charity sector. My career has focused on supporting children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in reaching their full potential. Previous organisations have included Doorstep Library, the Institute of Imagination and BookTrust. I work to raise the charity’s profile, enabling Honeypot to support even more children.
Lyndsay Anderson
Fundraising Manager
Scotland
I joined the Honeypot team in 2025 to look after all things fundraising in Scotland. I am passionate about fundraising and love to work with companies and community groups to raise awareness and support their fundraising efforts. With a young family of my own, I understand just how vital our services are and I can’t wait to spread the word across Scotland!
HR & Admin
Elaine Hiskett
Personnel & Training
Manager
I am a people-focused Personnel Manager, who enjoys working across multiple teams. After 30 plus years in the hospitality and fine food arena, I was fortunate enough to be connected with Honeypot. I enjoy working with our amazing team members at the residential houses, our talented fundraising, marketing and dedicated accounts teams, in a positive, productive workplace that gives us all the environment to succeed.
Roisin Metherell
Database
Manager
I joined Honeypot in 2022 after multiple roles in healthcare and education, including working as a teacher and nurse. I love that my role enables me to build relationships with families and help support the wellbeing of our children. It is incredibly rewarding and I’m excited to roll out new initiatives at Honeypot to complement our wonderful respite breaks.
Cathleen Dowding
Wellbeing Coordinator
& Fundraising Admin
My passion has always been working with children. Prior to Honeypot I was a Learning Support Assistant at a local primary school. The most rewarding part of the role is receiving feedback from the families letting us know how much the items or experiences have benefited their children. With a young family of my own, it really resonates with me just how much our Honeypot children have to sacrifice, and I feel very lucky to work for the charity.
Finance
Hanane El Yemlahi
Assistant Finance
Manager
I joined Honeypot in 2015 as a temporary member of staff taking on different roles within the finance department, leading to my current role on a permanent basis as an Assistant Finance Manager. Prior to joining Honeypot, I worked in a similar role for Grade 1 listed House and Gardens. I am excited to contribute my experience and dedication to assist my colleagues at Honeypot that share the goal to help children in the UK.
Qamile Veliu
Bookkeeping
Officer
I have worked in the charity sector for many years, previously holding roles as Finance Assistant at Mind and Open Age. I joined Honeypot as bookkeeper in 2016 and am very happy to be working with a wonderful and friendly team. I am excited about having the opportunity to grow and learn with Honeypot and to contribute to the charity’s success.
Honeypot
Our Trustees
Oliver Harrison (Co-Chair)
Natalie Rebeiz (Co-Chair)
Hannah Constantine
Mary Davis
Richard Houseago
Alex Kenny
Ilaria Magagnoli
Tom Putter
Bumble
Bumble is a bee of few words. As our mascot he loves to get out and about representing Honeypot and he turns up all over the place! If you would like Bumble to visit your school, workplace, or attend your event please let us know, he’d be delighted to come along!
Our Founder
Honeypot was originally called The Nelson Trust and was founded in 1992 by Lisa Nelson Stratton. Our first Honeypot house opened in 1996 in The New Forest. Find out more about our history >