Meet the Team
Gemma Allen (she/her)
Gemma Allen is the Palliative Care Inclusion and Community Partnerships Lead at The Mary Stevens Hospice and is responsible for the operational management, leadership, education, facilitation and day to day running of No Barriers Here. Gemma works with underserved communities often adopting a public health approach to palliative and has a keen interest in education and research. Gemma is the former chair of the national charity Palliative Care for People with Learning Disabilities Network (PCPLD).
Claire Towns (she/her)
Claire Towns is CEO and Matron at The Mary Stevens Hospice, Stourbridge. Claire has worked in palliative care for 18 years and still retains a clinical role as Non-Medical Prescriber, working face to face with patients and families. Claire is a No Barriers Here facilitator and trainer and is leading on service development for the No Barriers Here ICER study.
Cass Humphries-Massey (they/them)
Cass Humphries-Massey (they/them) is a facilitator, artist, thanatologist and founder of Navigating the Wilderness, a practice tending the wilds of grief. Cass spends their time researching, consulting and facilitating space through the lenses of individual and collective grief. Their work draws on a lineage and learning across psychology, social policy, civil society, collective care, anti-oppression and trauma-informed principles. Cass is a renegade academic, an Open University alum and contributing member of Open Thanatology. Their research interests include systemic oppressions and barriers, health inequalities, co-production, community research and knowledge development. Cass is a No Barriers Here facilitator and co-production member on our “More than rainbows in reception” research.
Lisa Tromans (she/her)
Lisa joined the team in Autumn 2023 and is employed by The Mary Stevens Hospice to support the No Barriers Here programme. Her role is varied and includes the development of resources and activities for No Barriers Here education and workshops. Lisa has also developed and delivers an internal creative and arts-based wellbeing programme for patients, carers, staff and volunteers.
Dr Jed Jerwood (he/him)
Dr Jed Jerwood (PhD) is Principal Art Psychotherapist for Community Services at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. He also holds an honorary research fellowship at the University of Birmingham. His clinical background lies in hospice care and in adult mental health. His research interests lie in health inequalities, particularly regarding death and dying; arts-based research methods and using creative approaches to deepen conversations in healthcare settings. He is the lead researcher on the No Barriers Here programme.
Liam Allen (he/him)
Liam Allen is a Lottery Assistant at The Mary Stevens Hospice, engaging with members of the local community assisting with the promotion and administration of the Hospice Lottery Company. Liam’s additional role within the No Barriers Here team provides essential administrative support and development for the No Barriers Here programme.
Sharon Hudson (she/her/they)
Sharon Hudson is Nurse Consultant in Specialist Palliative Care with experience of managing palliative care teams in hospice, community and hospital services. Sharon has a Masters in Research exploring barriers to access to palliative care and was a founding member of BrumYODO. Sharon is a No Barriers Here facilitator.
Ellie Clack (she/her)
Ellie Clack works as a Chaplain and Bereavement Officer at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire and the Myton Hospices. Ellie is a member of the multi-disciplinary palliative teams at both the hospital and hospice, working with patients, families and staff offering pastoral and spiritual care in varying shapes and sizes. With a background in social sciences and theology and a side-line in offering life coaching and supervision, Ellie is passionate about holistic patient care and helping people find their inner voice, their full self, and their best next steps. Ellie is a No Barriers Here facilitator.
