Speaker Biographies

Dr Rasa Mikelyte

Research Fellow, Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent

Rasa is Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Services Studies and a Post-Doctoral Dementia Research Fellow at the Applied Research Collaboration for Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Her main areas of research expertise are dementia care, palliative care and social care. She was part of the team conducting a national evaluation of Hospice at Home services in England, and has subsequently led the project on designing and pilot-implementing a Hospice at Home toolkit. Rasa’s professional background is in work with people living with dementia. She has worked as a dementia care worker for the last 15 years and has previously worked as an Assistant Psychologist for Older Adult Psychological Services (NHS).  

Graham Silsbury

Public Member of the Research Team

Graham is a public member of the ‘Hospice at Home Toolkit’ research team. Graham’s wife, an oncology sister, was a primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis patient for a long time and had a lot of hospice contact. Graham was her carer for many years and full-time for the last three years of her life. Initially they were both involved in improving GP and public perceptions of how hospice care could improve quality of life, and Graham has carried on with this effort since. Graham has been a Patient and Public representative on the national evaluation of Hospices at Home services and a study evaluating Hospice at Home services at Pilgrim’s Hospices . His focus remains on improving quality of service to both patients and carers, particularly those wishing to die at home.

Lisa Booth

Charity Manager, HASAG

Lisa joined HASAG in 2009 after her Aunt was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to make sure patients across the region get the very best advice and support they deserve.

Lisa loves all aspects of her role at HASAG from fundraising, increasing awareness of asbestos-related diseases to meeting new patients and their families. She is also treasurer for the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum. Her biggest hope is that she can continue to make a difference in peoples’ lives.

Jane Diamond

Funeral Director & Owner, Family Tree Funeral Company

My background for a number of years has involved all things ‘end-of-life’. I have co-hosted a Death Café in my local town since 2016, and in 2017 I began training as an end-of-life doula which is a non-medical companion to those who are dying. As well as this, in 2018, I trained with Before I Go Solutions and offer end-of-life planning to individuals and couples. I’d worked at Family Tree for five years when, in 2023, I took the decision to buy the business when the founder retired. My background is in psychotherapy and I find this incredibly useful for my work as a funeral director. Death and how we engage with it is hugely important; it’s a major life event and we don’t talk about it – or prepare for it – enough. What lies at the heart of this work are people’s deep attachments to one another. It’s vital we normalise death and dying so that we can live as fully as possible.

Elizabeth King 

Skincare Expert, Weleda and Education Lead, Weleda Estheticians

Elizabeth King is Weleda’s Skincare Expert and Education Lead for Weleda Estheticians. A facialist and highly qualified in several therapies, she has specialised in a holistic approach to beauty for over 24 years. An experienced trainer, Elizabeth has created Weleda’s new Ofqual regulated, CFI Level 4 course for Holistic Estheticians, focused on the life of touch. Before moving to the West Midlands, Elizabeth ran a private skincare practice in London, and was featured in Vogue as one of the top five facialists. She has looked after many high-profile clients and celebrities over the years, and even had the privilege of giving a facial to Nelson Mandela! Elizabeth currently offers facial treatments at the Elysia Therapeutic Centre, a complementary health clinic in Stourbridge, and at Rudolf Steiner House in London.

Caroline Allen

Assistant Director for Community Services, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice

Caroline Allen is a dedicated healthcare professional with a commitment to palliative care. Since 2012, she has been making contributions to the field, driven by her passion for improving the quality of life for patients and their families during challenging times.

Caroline holds a Masters in Professional Practice from Glamorgan University, a testament to her continuous pursuit of excellence in her profession. Her expertise and dedication were recognised in 2016 when she was shortlisted for the RCN Wales CNS of the Year award for her outstanding work in advance care planning.

In 2019, Caroline embarked on a new chapter in her career by relocating to Hertfordshire and joining Peace Hospice Care. Currently serving as the Assistant Director for Community Services for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, Caroline is at the forefront of driving positive change and innovation. She leads with a forward-thinking approach, constantly seeking new ways to improve patient care and support systems and is currently leading on the redesign of Community Services.

In 2024, Caroline's personal life has also seen joyous milestones. She recently got married and is eagerly anticipating becoming a Nanny not once, but twice this year, adding an extra layer of happiness and fulfilment to her already fabulous year.

More biographies and photos coming soon!