Our Team

The Charity operates through a dedicated team of passionate volunteers and part-time staff. Our trainers are all either fully qualified, or trainee healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors and physiotherapists. All are put through a rigorous selection and training programme to ensure that they have the skills needed to be really effective trainers.

We are committed to their personal and professional development and encourage all to grow and develop. We think they are great and think you will too. Find out more about them and why they work with BCLS below.

Note: If you are interested in becoming a trainer with Bart’s City Life Saver please contact Duncan, Operations Manager at duncan@bcls.org.uk

Alexis Gilbert, Senior Trainer / Assessor

Alexis is a qualified doctor from Bart's Hospital. He decided to leave clinical medicine and now works for the Wellcome Trust. “I am an avid photographer and mountain climber, best of all is combining both of these together!”

“I enjoy working for BCLS as everyone you meet from the staff to the clients are passionate about learning something new and simple which can save a life. Starting as a volunteer in 2007 I have been involved in BCLS in many forms from photographer to Assessor and all that’s in between. My highlight was probably teaching BLS on a yacht in the Red Sea!”

Jo Wilson, Team Leader

Jo has a degree in Biological sciences and is currently a 4th year medical student at Bart’s and the London. She is currently training for the London Marathon to help raise money for BCLS. She also enjoys going to the theatre and recently started a book club with a group of friends.

“I joined BCLS to improve my presentation and teaching skills, both of which are important aspects of my course. I feel I have achieved these in my time here, and also been part of a friendly and committed team.”

Kosta Stoenchev, Senior Trainer

Kosta is currently studying medicine at King's College, London. He enjoys playing tennis, socialising, fine art and computer generated image (CGI) creation and animation.

“I joined the BCLS team initially as a volunteer before progressing to my current role as a Trainer. I am greatly attracted to BCLS by the shared dedication to a consistently high standard of training, and particularly enjoy being part of the supportive and social atmosphere within the organisation. These factors allow me to continually develop my knowledge and personal skills, and energise me to share this knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence with all participants during our interactive training sessions.”

Jonathan Pincott, Team Leader
 
Jonathan is currently a Medical Student at Bart’s and the London, who enjoys playing squash and cycling in his spare time.

“I work for BCLS because it gives me a chance to teach, and what better subject to teach than lifesaving skills. With BCLS I have developed my public speaking and leadership skills within their mentorship scheme.”

Alae Ismail, Administrative Assistant and Trainee Trainer

 
Alae has just graduated in Biomedical Science from Queen Mary and would like to do her Masters degree in public health. “I love travelling and meeting interesting and inspiring people, I've also started learning Arabic which is really fascinating. “

 “BCLS is an amazing organisation and the people I work with are just fantastic. When I first joined BCLS I was told that you have the ability to grow as a person and that is literally what has happened. BCLS has allowed me to experience and learn so many things I didn’t think I could do and I am very grateful.”

Kiran M-Ray, Administrative Assistant

 
Kiran has a BSc in Biomedical Science from Queen Mary and is now doing a Masters degree in Development Studies at SOAS. She has a strong love of adventure, food, music and travel.

“The friendliness of all the staff, trainers and volunteers is what attracted me to BCLS. It’s great to work with such a dynamic team who really care about high quality training and helping save people’s lives. The dedication and enthusiasm that the whole team has for their work is testament to what a great organisation it is.”

Sophie Boddy, Trainer

Sophie has a BSc in Neuroscience from Sheffield and is now in her second year of her GEP medical degree Course at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. In her spare time she enjoys “travelling, anything outdoors (walking, cycling...), music and theatre”

“I really enjoy being a trainer with BCLS as I am truly enthusiastic about the skills and knowledge we teach and love passing on my enthusiasm to others. I love the experience of being able to teach and watch people learn new things and really feel BCLS can make a big difference in the community. The range of different people, cultures and backgrounds I encounter at BCLS is amazing and something I believe will be indispensable to me in my future career as a Doctor.”

Rebecca Oettle, Trainer

 
Rebecca is in her final year of the Post Graduate Diploma in Adult Nursing at City University. She previously studied BSc Biology at Durham University and MSc Control of Infectious Disease at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and has a keen interest in tropical nursing. In her spare time she likes to travel and follows all things sporting.

Henry Collett, Trainer

Henry is currently in his 3rd year studying medicine at Bart's and The London. In his spare time he enjoys playing tennis, golf, cycling, skiing and anything outdoors.

"I joined BCLS because I feel basic life support is something that needs regular refreshment in order for it to stay familiar. It also gave me the opportunity to gain some experience teaching in small groups. I really believe that as many people as possible should be able to perform basic life support and am glad to be part of a team that is working towards that goal."

Nicholas Stafford, Trainer

 
Nicholas is in his second year studying medicine at Bart’s and the London. In his spare time he enjoys golf, snowboarding and climbing, having recently conquered Mont Blanc in France.

 “I joined Bart’s City Life Savers because I enjoy teaching and feel that being able to perform basic life support is a valuable skill and the more people that know how to do it the better! I really believe that BCLS’s approach to interactive teaching is the best way to learn or refresh lifesaving skills.”