SurvivorsUK has recruited five new people on our board. Let us introduce them.

Tanaka Mhishi

Tanaka Mhishi has been working with survivor organisations for a number of years, and was excited by the opportunity to join the board of SurvivorsUK after being impressed by the warmth and dedication that they had encountered from SurvivorsUK staff over the years.

“There’s a huge amount of passion and expertise at SurvivorsUK and I’m hoping that I can be a helpful eye in shaping and supporting it,” explains Tanaka, who is a writer and storyteller by trade. “The core of my work is a belief that well-told stories really can change the way we interact.”

Tanaka has made a lot of work focussing on the male survivor experience – including a stage play about his own experience in 2015. “Since then, I’ve worked with charities who support survivors in speaking to the media, as well as collaborating with major news organisations to help them understand the needs of male survivors and how to better represent us,” Tanaka added.

In his own time, Tanaka likes to bake “far too much” and play Dungeons and Dragons – “I’m utterly abysmal, but it’s still fun”. They are most looking forward to digging into the important conversations being had at SurvivorsUK.

Rushna Alyas

Rushna Alyas has a background in Human Resources across retail, sales, and manufacturing. She were inspired to join the SurvivorsUK board to offer up his skills to help SurvivorsUK to carry out “great work in an under-represented space”.

Rushna is most excited to contribute to create an environment whereby the staff are engaged and supported so they are able to continue to provide high levels of service, and collaborate with the other board members and the CEO.

Sami Qasem 

Sami Qasem manages a global content team for a technology company, and has spent the majority of his recent career at the intersection of tech, storytelling, and liberal arts. Sami hopes to bring his skills to support and expand the “great work already being done”.

Sami were inspired to join SurvivorsUK because of the core values and three pillars that underpin all of SurvivorsUK’s activities.

“I’m continually astounded by the statistics that surround male rape, attitudes toward this issue and general preconceptions, particularly in the media,” they explained. “When looking to educate myself and at what I could do to challenge some of these perspectives, I came across the amazing work of SurvivorsUK.”

David Raeburn

For the better part of fifteen years, David Raeburn has worked in senior leadership roles in numerous charities focusing on strategy, impact, governance, and programme delivery. He is passionate about access to justice, and supporting people with life-limiting conditions

“In my work and volunteering I have always been drawn to organisations that support people to understand their rights, navigate the systems in which they find themselves and access the support that they need,” David explained, adding that they know the importance of proper support can have on a person’s life.

David is most excited to get to know the SurvivorsUK team, and work to “increase the support and impact we can have for men that have experienced sexual violence”.

Thom Crabbe

Thom Crabbe’s background is in management roles in the public and voluntary sectors. Thom previously worked as a trustee for an organisation which supported twins and their families, and currently, he works for the RSPB using communications to maximise impact and influence. “I am particularly interested in public policy, communications and advocacy, and change management,” Thom explained.

“I look forward to working with the very talented staff and trustee team to help move Survivors into its next phase ensuring it is the best it can be for all its users and raising awareness of the issues we are tackling,” Thom added.