Our team

Founder

Emma Lewis MBE

Emma founded The Roots Foundation Wales in 2011, whilst working as a community development worker in the Swansea area.

Originally from Pembrokeshire, Emma was brought up in care from a young age. Having experienced first-hand the challenges and stigma of living in care and transitioning to independence, Emma wanted to help other children and young people who were falling through the gaps in provision.

After working for a range of third sector organisations, Emma worked as a supervisor and adult outreach worker at Ty Fforest Community House, and from here the idea for establishing Roots came to life.

Under Emma’s leadership, Roots has grown into a highly valued organisation that has helped hundreds of children and young people to feel safe, supported and loved, and gained support from numerous benefactors such as DIY SOS and Children in Need.

Emma has received several honours for her commitment to helping children and young people in care, including receiving the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award in in 2018, an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wales Trinity St David in the same year, and an MBE in 2022.

Since stepping away from having day-to-day involvement with Roots, Emma continues to advocate for care-experienced young people, as well as for victims and survivors of abuse including those who were in care historically.

Centre team

Mandie Bennett

Interim Business Manager

I am a business owner with more than 30 years’ experience in childcare and 16 years’ registration as a responsible individual with Care Inspectorate Wales.

I am a skilled, experienced leader with a keen interest in business compliance, organisation and operations.

What do you like about working at Roots?

I enjoy supporting the charity to succeed in delivering its business objectives and ensuring the children, young people and carers are given the very best support and experiences.

What do you enjoy doing when not in work?

I love being outdoors and walking on beaches and in the countryside with my two dogs. I enjoy gardening, especially when my chickens are free roaming in my garden. I love making my own bread, painting pebbles and crocheting.
Chantal Ekwee

Finance and Office Administrator

An experienced finance officer and administrator, my role is to ensure the office runs smoothly – from managing finances to optimising office systems.

What do you like about working at Roots?

What truly resonates with me at Roots is our dedication to empowering the youth in the community and fostering change in their lives for the better. It’s incredibly fulfilling to make a meaningful impact with the amazing team at Roots.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

Beyond the office, I cherish time with friends and family, enjoy leisurely walks by the beach, watch classic movies, and experiment with new food and baking recipes. I believe that a balance between professional commitments and personal passions enriches one’s life in the most rewarding ways.
Ceri Evans (Centre Director)

Centre Director

Prior to joining Roots as Centre Director, I was the Social Services and Wellbeing Transformation Lead for Powys Council. Having managed services for Barnardo’s for over a decade, I have significant operational and senior leadership experience within safeguarding across a range of sectors including, children’s services, education and youth justice. Additionally, as a senior business development manager in the charity sector, I have a proven track record of fundraising, consolidation and leading business growth.

What are you looking forward to about joining the Roots team?

I’ve spent my career working with children and young people in South Wales, supporting them to build on their strengths and reach their full potential. I am so excited to be continuing this work in Roots. Working together with our amazing young people, carers and staff, we will build on our strengths and realise our huge potential, ensuring the Roots family thrives for many years to come.
Danielle Fender

Senior Youth Worker

My role includes supporting young people at Roots aged 11 to 16 years old, along with planning activities, drop-ins, and youth clubs.

I have extensive experience of working with children and young people, having done so for more than 20 years. Before working with Roots, I was a senior at a children’s residential home in Swansea, and I hold a QCF level 5 in working with children and young people. I am also studying part-time towards a degree in youthwork.

What do you like about working at Roots?

My favourite thing about working at Roots is being able to be a part of a community that supports care experienced young people, and a team that strives to do the best for all in our care.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

When not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking my two cocker spaniels Lola and Lottie, and being outdoors as much as the Welsh weather will allow!
Jess Gallivan

Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator

My role includes recruiting, training, managing and retaining volunteers, as well as working closely with members of the community, community groups and organisations.

In the past, I have coached gymnastics, and worked with adults with learning disabilities and older people with dementia. I have also helped to set up a successful community project in my local area, I am now the coordinator for our foodbank and period dignity scheme.

Volunteering has presented me with so many wonderful opportunities, I love that I can now give back and hopefully help others to find their passion.

What do you like about working at Roots?

Roots is an incredible charity – the children and young people are an inspiration and the team are amazing.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

In my spare time I enjoy being at the beach, I love paddle boarding and cold-water swimming when I’m feeling brave!

In addition to our permanent staff team, we are supported by our fantastic part-time bank staff and youth workers who oversee the centre’s activities during the evenings, overnight and on weekends.

Our part-time youth workers support all our afterschool clubs and activities and supervise activities and trips during holiday periods.

Jayde Anderson
Eleanor Ball
John Collett
Sarah Collett
Kasey Counsell

Youth Worker

Hi! I’m Kasey, I’ve been working at Roots since June 2024, training to be a youth worker.

What do you like about working at Roots?

I absolutely love working at Roots, we are like one big family and always have something fun going on!
Aimee Driscoll
Stephanie Driscoll

Night staff

Hi my name is Stephanie. I support youth groups and help young people engage in activities that promote their wellbeing. We as a family at Roots help the young people to gain essential life skills, and overcome barriers and unlock their potential.

What do you like about working at Roots?

I value the sense of family at roots where everyone from staff to young people are made to feel welcome and included.
Bradley Jenkins
Rhys Lyall

Night staff

I’m Rhys, I’ve been working at Roots for just over a year, supporting the half-term activities and then as night staff.

What do you like about working at Roots?

The best part of working at roots is getting to know the young people, and the summer residential trips.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

Outside of work, I enjoy running and am hoping to complete my second London Marathon in the near future, spending time with family and friends and letting Steve (my fellow Roots colleague) win on FIFA.
Steve Martin

Night staff

I’m Steve and I’ve been working as night staff for Roots for just over a year now. I also take part in the half-term activities and I’m studying part-time for my degree in youth work.

What do you like about working at Roots?

The best parts of my job are working and building relationships with the young people.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

In my spare time I enjoy fishing, and spending time with family and friends and beating my fellow Roots colleague, Rhys on FIFA.
Sarah Morris
Rachel Thomas

Board of Trustees

Darrin Davies

Trustee

I am a highly experienced chartered surveyor with over 30 years of expertise in the private, public, and social housing sectors. Residing in Killay, Swansea, I have built a distinguished career marked by innovation and visionary leadership.

My skills encompass leadership and organisational development, asset management, sustainability, and health and safety, among others. My career highlights include serving as the Executive Director of Development, Assets and Sustainability at Valleys to Coast Housing, where I led significant capital and revenue investment programmes and spearheaded initiatives for new home construction and energy efficiency.

In addition to my professional achievements, I have a strong commitment to voluntary activities, including supporting young adults with down’s syndrome and now serving as a trustee for The Roots Foundation Wales.

My personal interests include cycling, weight training, pickleball, gardening, and reading.
Safina Din

Trustee

I have been a solicitor since 1999, specialising in all aspects of criminal law, family law and immigration law, and have undertaken work at a number of organisations including Barnardo’s and Women’s Aid. I am an accredited duty solicitor both at Court and at Police estates.

Since 2003, I have taught law across undergraduate, postgraduate and professional law programmes, specialising in human rights abuses, gender rights, children’s rights, equality, diversity and inclusion.

I am also an external examiner and reviewer for several higher education universities and sit on several external panels for the Ministry of Justice, NHS England and Redress.

I feel that being part of the Roots family is a great opportunity to be involved in an organisation that empowers young people to achieve to the best of their potential. It also allows me to work with like-minded people with the same vision.
Annie Durham (Chair)

Chair of the Board of Trustees

I have been Chair of the Board of Trustees at Roots since April 2023. I am a civil servant with cross-Whitehall experience in external affairs and policy and operational delivery.

Most recently I worked at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse for six years where I met Emma Lewis and had the opportunity to visit Roots and get to know its work.

I started my career in the third sector, working in a youth development organisation and a social inclusion charity for women and girls.
Jason Exeter

Trustee

I have been a trustee of The Roots Foundation Wales since January 2025. I have 30 years experience of risk in the financial services industry, working with several organisations including the regulator and, most recently, Lloyds Banking Group where I am currently a Head of Compliance in the Risk Division.

I was inspired to join Roots through the Lloyds Foundation. The Roots team’s warmth and care for the young people they serve really shone through when I visited.

Outside of work, you can usually find me at Parkrun on Saturday mornings. I am committed to earning a 500 milestone t-shirt!
Patrick Green

Trustee

I have been a trustee at Roots since August 2024, where I have brought my experience in helping people be the best version of themselves.

I am a Human Resources Director and have had the opportunity of collaborating with staff at many levels and many industries over the past 30 years. I have worked in recruitment, print and media, oil and gas and technology, and have lived in England, Norway, USA and latterly Wales during my career. I have a BSc in business operations and a Masters in organisational development and am a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

My passion is development of people and the role they play in organisations and in life. The reason I was drawn to Roots is that I was adopted after living my first year of life in a children’s home, so it resonates with me how much an organisation like Roots can help shape the lives of young people as they make their way in the world.

Both my wife and I were brought up in Swansea and when we moved back here with our three sons from having lived in Texas, it was a bit of a change for them to adapt at first. However as they have grown over time, they now consider Swansea their home.

My passions outside of my work and trustee commitments are family, football, golf, and travel. I try to live by the saying: When they write your life story, make sure you are the one who was holding the pen.
Gemma Wali

Trustee

I have been a trustee at Roots since August 2023, where I have brought my knowledge and skills of working in health and social care for the past 22 years. I have worked with adults with learning disabilities since 2002 – when I started as a support worker.

I am now an area manager overseeing a large area in Cardiff for the Innovate Trust. I have a QCF level 5 in leadership within health and social care, a diploma in positive behavioural support and I am working towards a level 5 diploma in coaching and mentoring.

I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the team at Roots and continue to be inspired and motivated by everyone’s commitment and enthusiasm for creating and running a service for young people which offers great opportunities.

I am kept busy in my day-to-day life with my Husband, two boys Zak and Noah and our puppy Bailey. I am also in an award-winning choir based in Newport, called Allegra.
Nathan Evans (Clerk to the Board)

Clerk to the Board of Trustees

I joined Roots as Clerk to the Board in November 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in the charity sector. My background spans governance, operational management, and strategy development, with a strong focus on developing innovative strategies to expand the reach and impact of charitable organisations.

With a deep understanding of the public health and not-for-profit sectors, I have a proven track record of managing complex projects, securing grant funding, and delivering sustainable outcomes.

I hold an MBA from the University of South Wales and am passionate about empowering communities to thrive through effective leadership and meaningful, lasting solutions.

To contact the Board of Trustees, please email: clerk@roots.wales

Our Story

For Young People