Future Dreams is proud to announce the launch of its new Mental Health Advisory Board — a significant step forward in our mission to provide the very best care and support for those affected by breast cancer.
By bringing together leading experts in oncology, psychology, psychiatry, and nursing, Future Dreams is ensuring that our services continue to be guided by the latest research, innovation, and compassionate best practice.
Meet the Advisory Board Members
Dr Nancy Vanderpuye – Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Nancy Vanderpuye is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in oncology and palliative care. Nancy is Head of the Psycho-oncology Service for County Durham and Darlington and leads the specialist Peritoneal Malignancy Psychology Service in Hampshire. She specialises in working with adults who are adjusting to changes in their physical health and the impact that can have emotionally and working to support more psychologically orientated organisations.
Nancy has a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology University of East London, 2011.
Jackie Wright – Lead Clinical Breast Care Nurse Specialist, Future Dreams
Jackie is a qualified Breast Care Nurse Specialist with over 20 years experience in supporting those affected by breast cancer. Jackie has vast experience in working in the private sector and the NHS. Jackie spent the last 15 years working in the NHS at two large NHS Foundation Trusts and in her last post was a Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist responsible for managing a team of Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist and overseeing the day to day management of the breast unit.
Dr Asanga Fernando – Consultant Cancer Liaison Psychiatrist
Dr Asanga Fernando specialises in the care of cancer patients at St. George’s University Hospital NHS Trust and was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2024. He works in pioneering clinical service that he helped set up, working with a multi-disciplinary team to provide integrated care to cancer patients and their carers. He has been widely published on the integration of mental health in cancer as well as many other topics. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at St. George’s and is actively involved in research.
Dr Jo Ashcroft, BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Health Psychology, DClinPsy, PGDip CBT- Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Jo is the a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and lead for the Cancer Psychological Support Service (CaPS) at St George’s University Hospital. Jo has over 14 years’ experience working within clinical health psychology in acute hospital settings, primary care and the third sector. She has a keen personal interest in working with those impacted by cancer and undergoing palliative care, including patients, carers and families. Jo is proud to lead the CaPS service, consisting of clinical/counselling psychologists, systemic family therapy and psychiatry. The CaPS team works closely with a range of health care professionals to provide holistic and integrated psychological care in both the in-patient and outpatient setting. Jo and her team lead on teaching, training, consultation and supervision for healthcare staff to support early recognition and management of psychological distress within cancer care. Clinically, Jo works with a range of therapeutic models, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), third wave cognitive behavioural therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness, as well as systemic, narrative and existential approaches. Jo and her team are paving the way for improved services for cancer patients experiencing difficulties with breathlessness, sex and intimacy, severe mental illness and those facing health inequalities.
She has also worked developing services for those living with long-term conditions and for the Cancer Charity Maggie’s at the Royal Free Hospital. In addition to her NHS role, Jo also runs a small private practice.
Lisa Neden– HR Consultant and ADHD Coach
With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources and Organisation Development, Lisa Neden has wide ranging expertise in both the public and private sectors. Lisa is an award-winning advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion. At the Royal Marsden she led this area of work for many years, working with patients and staff to promote a culture of respect, appreciation and belonging. Lisa also held the role of Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian at the Royal Marsden, leading a team of FTSU Champions to provide confidential, independent support to staff wishing to raise patient care, patient safety or workplace concerns.
Lisa now works as an HR Consultant and ADHD Coach. In addition, she delivers a range of workplace cancer support training programmes for Cancer Support UK, helping a range of organisations to enhance the support they provide to their colleagues who are affected by cancer.
Shaping the Future of Support
The launch of this Advisory Board marks an important step in Future Dreams’ mission to provide the very best care and support for those affected by breast cancer.
“Our new Mental Health Advisory Board will help us provide safe, evidence-based support at every stage of the breast cancer journey,” said Lisa Behzadi – Head of Programmes and services at Future Dreams. “We are honoured to welcome such an exceptional group of experts, whose insights will directly benefit the thousands of people we work with each year.”
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Sylvie and Danielle began Future Dreams with just £100 in 2008. They believed nobody should face breast cancer alone. Their legacy lives on in Future Dreams House. We couldn’t continue to fund support services for those touched by breast cancer, raise awareness of breast cancer and promote early diagnosis and advance research into secondary breast cancer without your help. Please consider partnering with us or making a donation.