Meet The Team

Facial Palsy UK’s day-to-day operations are carried out by a very small team whose details are below. We’re supported by more than 100 wonderful volunteers, including the members of our Trustee Board, and we simply couldn’t do what we do without them. You can see the full Trustee Board here.

Karen Johnson – CEO

Karen was born with facial palsy as a result of birth trauma and has undergone several surgeries over the years, giving her first-hand understanding of the condition and its treatment. She also has hearing loss and relies on hearing aids in both ears. Since 2005, Karen has offered informal support to people with facial palsy around the world through her personal website and social media. She volunteered for Facial Palsy UK before it was officially launched in 2012 and became its first employee in February 2013. Karen brings broad business knowledge, with a background in search engine optimisation, purchasing and financial management. As CEO, she is responsible for the charity’s day-to-day operations. Karen’s work is guided by a simple belief: everyone deserves to be treated with warmth and respect. She is a passionate advocate for the charity’s values, especially keeping people with facial palsy at the heart of its work.

Helen Naylor – Charity Coordinator

Helen started working for Facial Palsy UK in 2021, and she is responsible for marketing activities, managing and communicating with our amazing network of volunteers, and helping out with the day-to-day operations of the charity. She has seen first-hand the challenges of people who are living with facial palsy and is passionate about helping them to deal with the physical, emotional and psychological effects of the condition. Helen is excited to help the charity spread its message to the public and to health professionals in the hope that we can provide better support and services for people with facial palsy across the UK.

Laura Warren – Support Coordinator

Laura started working for Facial Palsy UK in 2023, and she is responsible for providing guidance to patients who contact the charity for support, and for the support group networks. Her daughter was born with Moebius Syndrome, with facial palsy as one of her main symptoms; and so she is passionate about increasing awareness of facial palsy and how best to support those with it. With a background in Psychology, she is most interested in learning more about the psychological impacts and therapies available in the UK for those with facial palsy.

Vanessa Venables – Support Worker

Through her work as a Principal Speech and Language Therapist specialising in facial therapy, Vanessa set up the first East Grinstead support group in 2010. From here, Vanessa went on to co-found Facial Palsy UK with Charles Nduka in 2012. Vanessa volunteered for several years to ensure the charity is the success it is today. During the pandemic Vanessa joined the staff team providing support via our support groups and answering telephone and email support enquiries. She also provides training to other staff members as she has a vast knowledge of the causes of and treatments for facial palsy. Vanessa’s role does not stop there as she also helps with writing content for our website and various other tasks.

Dr Giulia Neri – Clinical Psychologist

Giulia is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oxford. She has worked across a range of NHS services with adults, young people and families experiencing a wide variety of psychological difficulties. While working in Oxford she was involved with the Cleft, Craniofacial and Facial Palsy Psychology Service at the John Radcliffe Hospital, supporting people adjusting to the psychological and social impact of facial palsy and visible difference. Giulia is particularly interested in the relationship between physical health and emotional wellbeing, and in how people adapt to changes that affect identity, communication and confidence. She developed a strong interest in visible difference, which is also personally meaningful to her. She is passionate about improving access to psychological support and about using research to help shape services and improve the support available to people. Giulia is also a trained yoga teacher.

Volunteers

We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. Read our Personal Stories to find out about some of the people who volunteer for Facial Palsy UK. Find more information about volunteering here.