Leeann Stevenson
Communications Manager and Programmes Lead
Leeann Stevenson has been a dedicated member of the SMS Foundation UK team since it became a CIO in 2020. Before joining as a staff member, she served as a trustee for eight years. Initially stepping into the role of Communications and Information Manager, Leeann played a key role in shaping the foundation’s brand and managing its digital presence. More recently, her focus has shifted towards development strategy, leading two key programmes that provide vital support to parents and carers of individuals with SMS and help families navigate the complex SEND system.
Helen Hargrave
Fundraising Manager
Having worked in the charity sector since 2010, Helen has spent the past five years in senior management fundraising positions for a variety of charitable causes, incorporating small local charities including Richard House Children’s Hospice through to national organisations including Maggie’s, Shelter and Diabetes UK. Within the third sector, Helen has worked across a number of causes all with vulnerable people at their core, and helping vulnerable people is of massive importance to her. Helen specialises in fundraising and service delivery and is experienced in establishing fundraising programmes across a number of income streams, with a particular focus on corporate, trusts and major donor fundraising. Her experience as a senior fundraiser has enabled her to hone her skills in building a compelling story and understanding donor motivations.
Helen is a parent to Jacob, who is 1. She joins the Smith-Magenis Syndrome Foundation from her role as Director of Victim Services at Brake, the road safety charity, where she led the victim services team in the funding and delivery of the organisation’s national freephone telephone helpline, the police liaison programme, and their project Sudden, which supports bereavement professionals and anyone bereaved by a sudden death.
Natasha Craven
Research and Sector Engagement Manager
Having completed her Undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, Natasha has developed a great insight into the world of genetic disorders and their biochemical and medical background. With particular interest in neurodevelopmental disorders, Natasha balances her career working for the SMS Foundation alongside her job as a Clinical Psychologist. Her passion and drive for helping others has meant that Natasha has also volunteered with charities such as Samaritans and Student Minds, whilst also working weekends as a Support Worker in a residential facility for individuals with autism and challenging behaviours.
In 2020, Natasha interned with the Foundation working on the UK Demographics Study. This project was greatly successful and identified hundreds of individuals across the UK that were currently unknown to the Foundation. This project allowed Natasha to greatly hone her skills in research and data handling, and after the project was completed Natasha was invited to join the staff team as a Research and Administrative Assistant.