ABOUT
Meet the Team
Ruth Stephens:
CEO and founder
Having been involved in church leadership, and with over 10 years experience in children’s ministry, I have become increasingly aware that our ministries need to be more accessible to those who have had complicated backgrounds. In our churches and Christian ministries, people are serving tirelessly to support others and often it is hard to engage people who have experienced a lot of trauma, particularly if that trauma was early in life. I believe that those who support people who have experienced such adversity, need to be better equipped by receiving guidance and training to become trauma informed.
After a career as an Occupational Therapist (OT) working with many adopted and fostered children, I am passionate about equipping others to be a support to those who have experienced such traumatic circumstances.
I hold an MSc in Attachment studies and during these studies I gained valuable tools with which to understand and support those who have relational trauma.
My happy place is enjoying coffee out with friends!
![Tracy photo[46].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ecccbb_3157541387e543909d7b2f41a4f4b5e2~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_110,y_0,w_2094,h_2533/fill/w_320,h_387,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Tracy%20photo%5B46%5D.jpg)
Tracy Bennett:
Associate Trainer
I am a Therapeutic Social Worker passionate about empowering people to thrive. My background is in fostering but I have now specialised in working with community organisations providing training in trauma informed practice and running empowerment courses and workshops for individuals and families aimed at breaking cycles of generational trauma and building individual and community resilience.
I am continually bringing into my practice current research findings from the fields of Attachment and Neuroscience which bring hope.
My happy place is the beach!
Faith Spinks:
Associate Trainer
I have spent my career working with young people—as a teacher, in the charity sector, volunteering with foster kids, and even working in Brazil. For the past seven years, I’ve been a youth worker at my church, and I also support at-risk students through a wellbeing charity. I’m passionate about helping churches understand trauma so they can better care for young people and help them discover God’s love.
My happy places are lost in a good book, outdoors walking, and watching the great game of tennis.
Beth Tumbridge:
Associate Marketing Administrator
My background includes about ten years in administrative roles within charities, as well as some time working in the education sector. These experiences have given me a good understanding of how trauma can affect people, and I'm really keen on supporting those facing challenges. I'm particularly interested in how we can all learn to be more trauma-informed in our work and create supportive spaces.
My happy place is in a swimming pool, or being on, in or near the sea!
Helen Barker:
Trustee
My background is a mixture of finance and software training, support and design. I grew up in Africa and have worked for many years with a global charity supporting Bible translation and publishing.
I have experience of fostering and adoption, and the effects of trauma, within my own wider family as well as my church family. It’s a privilege to be able to support the work of Join The Dots as a trustee.
My happy place is lindy hopping on a dance floor or playing badminton or tennis (not very well)!
Laura Ryder:
Trustee
With a background in financial management, I have more than twenty years of experience working within the charity and public sector. I have held various senior leadership positions, and more recently, work with a variety of not for profit organisations providing strategic business planning, coaching and interim director support through my own consultancy, SSCBM.
I am passionate about supporting Charity CEOs and Senior Teams with the pipes and plumbing of organisations, helping the purpose, plan, process and people of their organisation to thrive from the inside out.
My happy place is skiing!
Josie Holt:
Volunteer
I am a passionate volunteer and advocate of JTD who loves to see lives transformed by God's healing power. I hope to see more and more people informed and educated on the effects of trauma and learn how not to re-traumatise survivors.
With 23 years experience as a secondary school teacher mostly of students with SEMH and SEND, additionally I have been involved in a wealth of youth, community work and supporting adoptive parents.
My happy place is: curled up reading a book!