GIRES Team

Camilla Thrush (She/Her), Operations, Training and Finance Manager

Camilla joined GIRES in 2018, she has worked in the E&I sector for over 25 years. She brings extensive knowledge of business administration having managed a number of businesses. She is passionate about ensuing equal access and opportunity for all, she prides herself on working to improve organisations and peoples knowledge across the E&I sectors.

Contact details

Email: camilla.thrush@gires.org.uk

Working Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 am -4 pm

Phone number:  01373 235 481 

Sharon Smith (She/Her), GIRES Admin Support Officer

Sharon joined GIRES in March 2021. She supports Camilla with the day-to-day running of the Charity and the Trustees with her administrative skills. She oversees the management of TranzWiki, the UK’s largest trans and gender diverse online support directory. Sharon is also responsible for managing our membership database, so she is our members’ first point of contact.

Contact Details

Email: sharon.smith@gires.org.uk

Phone: 01372 359 481

Working Hours: 8 am -4 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and Thursday afternoon 1pm -5pm

Helen (She/Her) Communication Strategy & Digital Comms

Helen supports GIRES with communications strategy, fundraising campaigns, and social media content creation. She brings extensive experience in digital marketing, advocacy, and inclusive communications, helping to strengthen GIRES’ online presence and connect with supporters across multiple platforms. Passionate about using storytelling to drive positive change, Helen contributes her knowledge in marketing & communications within both the private and charitable sectors to build engagement and visibility for GIRES ongoing work.

Contact Details

Email: support-us@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Hours: Various 

Kimberley Ryans-Oloman (She/Her, They/Them), Volunteer Communications and Content Support

Kimberley has worked in the aviation sector for 10 years, and is currently communications lead for the company’s LGBTQIA+ network group, alongside being a diversity and inclusion champion for her area. After recently joining GIRES as a volunteer, she’s keen to use her passion for social media and communications to help trans and gender diverse people feel more connected.

Contact Details: 
Email: Kimberley.Ryans-Oloman@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Day: One day per week

Steph Nixon (She/Her), Volunteer Research Support

Steph has spent the last decade performing research and evaluation in the charity sector. She is passionate about the power of research to affect meaningful change, champion the voices of marginalised groups and help organisations learn and improve. She is a strong advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion both inside and outside of the workplace. Steph is excited to start volunteering at GIRES to contribute to their research function. 

Contact Details:
Email: steph.nixon@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Hours: 3hrs a week

Dani Hidalgo-Anguera (He/They), Volunteer Research Support

Dani is currently a postgraduate in the social sciences. Having previously worked on attitudes toward passing, their current work focuses on experiences in accessing gender-affirming care among non-binary people in the UK. He is a strong advocate for trans and non-binary research that originates in the community and prioritises trans voices.

Contact Details: 
Email: Dani.Hidalgo-Anguera@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Hours: Various 

Arlo-Ethan King (He/Him), Volunteer Research Support

Arlo works for his local mental health trust where he is the vice chair of the L:GBTQI+ network and also volunteers to help with transgender training within the organisation to help raise education and awareness. Arlo is excited to volunteer at GIRES to help the trans community. 

Contact Details:
Email: Arlo.king@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Hours: Various

Chisomo Makiyi (They/Them), Volunteer Co-Ordinator and Research Support

Chisomo brings their experience of volunteering in the LGBTQIA+ charity sector to GIRES. They are keen to support GIRES in achieving its organisational goals by assisting volunteers in their research roles. Chisomo is passionate about championing evidence-based research that highlights the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse people.

Contact details

Email: chisomo.mikiyi@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Day: Monday

Asher Foister (They/Them) Volunteer Research Support

Ash is currently a postgraduate in health policy and focuses on social and structural determinants of health. They have a background as a frontline care worker and are passionate about breaking down barriers to create more accessible and affirming systems for trans communities.

Contact Details

Email: asher.foister@gires.org.uk

Volunteering Day: Monday