Dr Funke Baffour
Dr Funke Baffour is a chartered Clinical Psychologist, the Director of Ace Psychology Ltd and a Bubic trustee. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Middlesex University. Dr Funke’s research interests were, at the time, were eating disorders and substance misuse. However, after some time Dr Funke felt that her career needed to take a different path; as her research PhD did not give her the type of clinical contact that she desired. Dr Funke’s change of heart led to a career in clinical psychology. This enabled her to work with people therapeutically, as well as keeping her research interests alive. She graduated from the University of East London with a doctorate in clinical psychology. Dr Funke is a member of the British Psychological Society. She is also an Associate Fellow at the British Psychological Society and a registered practitioner psychologist with the Health Professional Council. Dr Funke has her private practice in London where she runs her Dr Funke – Take Control programmes. She is one the UK’s leading media clinical psychologists and because of her unique style she has been sought after by numerous TV companies. Dr Funke is a regular contributor to CNN International and a range of magazines and newspapers giving expert advice on current affairs. Dr Funke is passionate about bringing issues concerning mental health to the forefront.
Dr Laura Pechey
Dr Laura Pechey has been a BUBIC Trustee since 2019 and BUBIC’s Treasurer since 2023. She worked for the local Haringey alcohol treatment charity, HAGA, for 11 years. During this time, she saw how those in the thriving BUBIC community support one another over the long term, long after people leave treatment. Laura leads drug and alcohol treatment and recovery programmes and projects as a Programme Manager in the Department of Health and Social Care.
Bola (Adetimole) Kwapong (MBA)
Bola is an experienced learning and communications lead specialising in the banking sector. She has an MBA from Middlesex University. Bola brings her expertise in strategy, training, leadership, management and coaching skills and experience to the Bubic board.
Marion Morris
Marion has a background in public health and specifically substance misuse and health improvement. As the then manager of local Haringey Drug and Alcohol Service (DASH), she was instrumental in supporting the setting up and ongoing development of BUBIC. She has been a trustee since 2018.
Professor John Foster
I retired from my role as a full-time professor at the University of Greenwich in July 2024. I retain a visiting role to supervise PhD students. From 2012-2016 I was a trustee for HAGA (The Alcohol Service and Haringey Recovery Service) and thereafter for Blenheim and Humankind until 2018. I am a mental health nurse and provided advice on clinical governance to both HAGA and Blenheim. Prior to the Covid lockdown I was the academic advisor for the London Borough of Greenwich for the implementation of their alcohol and drug use strategy. I have secured over £3 million in external grants for alcohol/drug use/mental health and health service management-related projects since 2001. Areas of Interest: Alcohol drug use and mental health, governance and ethics, motivation, service management, supporting staff and coaching.
Shelia Miranda
With over 23 years of experience in local authority settings, I have dedicated my career to services that improve people's lives. My journey has taken me across various local authorities, where I have worked on initiatives ranging from homelessness and rough sleeping to regeneration services. BUBIC has always held a special place in my heart. I firmly believe that we cannot achieve anything alone and that kindness goes a long way. My passion for service improvement and making a difference in people's lives drives me every day. Sometimes, all someone needs is a reassuring word to help them move forward. I am eager to help BUBIC's mission expand into a nationwide service. This will allow us to reach not only local communities but also those across the entire country. I look forward to meeting all the volunteers and staff members in due course, and I am excited about the opportunities this role will bring.
Dr John Robins
Biography coming soon...
Dawn Gager
Supporting women with Multi disadvantage at Solace refuge.” VAWG “Violence against Women and young girls been trafficked into the UK, Women with No resource to public funds. I support clients with Substance misuse, mental health, rough sleepers, ex-offenders, sex workers and women with learning difficulties, Nero diverse, suicidal ideation, MARAC referrals and placing victims to place of safety. I worked with vulnerable adults with substance misuse and supported clients with harm reduction, methadone programme, alcohol misuse and physical wellbeing and groups. I worked at the Salvation Army for 18 years with vulnerable adults with substance misuse, rough sleepers, mental health, physical health issues, sign posting clients to external services and group work, Support clients from the LGBTQ community and signpost clients for all support services. I am currently a director of OSBH Online which is a charity that supports vulnerable male and females in the community. OSBH support Muslim women in the community to start up their business and get into training to improve their learning skills, parenting support, doing pampering sessions for clients on benefits, fund raising to support people who are starting up their business. Supporting organisations with funding. Supporting people in the community and empowering people with their Multi disadvantages, substance misuse, and making people feel accepted and support them back into the community. I have known of BUBIC since 2009, over the years and brought clients to groups and events. I have supported and brought BUBIC to work with vulnerable clients within the Salvation Army hostel and got BUBIC a contract with the YMCA supporting clients on a weekly basis.