Our Team
Samantha Fÿn
Founder and CEO
As founder of The People Hive, Samantha brings creativity and passion to its work and never misses an opportunity to progress the charity.
Samantha is aspirational both during the week and at weekends always trying new hobbies and activities much to her husband’s despair. Travel, crafting and jogging being her current fads.
Samantha loves being outdoors, whether it’s camping, hiking or training and dreams of spending a year off the beaten track travelling.
George Dryja
People Hive Coordinator
George loves music and art with very eclectic tastes encompassing Debussy to Coldplay and Monet to Hockney! His interest in music expanded early on with George being a DJ for ten years! Getting married refocused his life to more sensible activities, such as DIY!
Having a daughter with special needs George has been very involved in her senior school years, becoming a school governor then Chair of Governors and then a Director and Trustee of the Multi Academy Trust to which the school now belongs to.
George is now focusing on helping to provide for those with special needs, coming out of education, with real work opportunities.
Susie Rowan
Opportunities and Development Manager
Susie loves singing and is a member of a local choir. She also enjoys crafting and loves learning new skills although Macrame was almost her (and the tutor’s) downfall!
Meditation is a regular and important part of her daily life and she is a qualified Meditation teacher. Swimming, Tai Chi and walking are her preferred fitness options and she can often be seen cycling sedately along in the Twickenham area (no lycra involved and definitely no jumping of the red traffic lights!)
Susie is passionate about equality of opportunity for everyone in our society and is dedicated to working towards that through her work and in her everyday life.
Ginny Sell
Volunteer Coordinator
Ginny first came to London from East Yorkshire to study and never left. In her career in social care spanning 30 years, Ginny has worked with adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues, dual diagnoses, and complex needs.
Ginny’s philosophy is about treating people as individuals and fostering collaboration and inclusion. She strongly values the role of volunteers and is proud to be part of the team to help shape its future and impacts.
Ginny enjoys reading, TV, gardening and time with her dog, Eric Percival. They explore local parks and wholeheartedly support local eateries, especially those that cater to Eric’s fondness for sausages.
Kathleen Farren
Senior Activity Coordinator
Kathleen loves being in nature in all weathers whether in the local parks or by the sea on the North Coast of Ireland where she grew up and frequently escapes to nowadays!
She also enjoys sewing and repurposing fabrics, reading books, and keeps young at heart with pilates and yoga.
Having worked for many years as a nutritionist and health coach, and recently with local charities, she recognises the importance of connection, good support, and wellbeing, to live life to the fullest. She has built strong relationships with the local community and is happy that she can continue to do this at the People Hive.
Maddie Chawner
Office Manager and Workplace Support Advisor
Maddie started at the People Hive as a customer and then became an artist. She then progressed to be a volunteer, and is now a staff member.
She loves reading, movies, tv shows, video games, graphic novels; any aspects of contemporary popular culture with a classical or mythological base. Her favourite author is J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as tales from Greek and Norse mythology. Her favourite movies are The Lord of the Rings (extended editions, of course), as well as films made by Studio Ghibli.
She likes to spend her time making macrame art and exploring new forms of craft and art to enhance her work.
Sometimes, when she has a bit of time left, she researches classical and ancient Egyptian cultures, and how they are received in modern popular culture; and has been known to give an occasional presentation at university conferences.
Anil Mistry
Housekeeping
Sarah Kemp
Gallery Assistant
Robert Hunt
Gallery Assistant
Hannah Nicholls
Admin Assistant