Our Director of Community and Participation

As Director of Community and Participation, Emma oversees our information and support services, our work in local communities across all 4 nations, and the volunteers who make it happen.

Emma joined the charity in 2018 as England Director, where she was responsible for developing our community work across the country. In October 2022, she stepped up as Interim Director of Community and Participation.

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: 

"Emma was the outstanding candidate for this role, and it’s always a pleasure to be able to appoint knowledgeable and passionate people from within the charity to new, more senior positions. Emma will lead a Directorate who are integral to the delivery of our newly refreshed strategy, allowing us to build a community of support for people with Parkinson’s and their friends and family - giving them the information and support that they need, enabling them to feel in control and live well with the condition, no matter where they are in their Parkinson’s journey.

"I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Emma as a permanent member of the Executive Leadership Team and I know that her expertise and drive will benefit our community in the months and years to come."

Emma said:

"Having held this position in an interim capacity, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be given the opportunity to take it on permanently. Our expert information and support offering is really valued, but we also know that there are thousands of people affected by Parkinson’s that we're not yet reaching. That is going to be central to the work that my teams and I are delivering. 

"No one is going through Parkinson’s alone, and through the work of the charity and incredible volunteers, we need to make it easier than ever for people to build a community around their shared experiences and interests, and access the expertise that they need."