Hi there! At London Friend we’re a small staff team, supported by a large group of skilled and reliable volunteers, who are all trained to offer judgement-free help and support in a range of areas. Scroll down to learn more about us and meet the faces behind the services we provide.
Want to get involved? Sign up to become a London Friend volunteer today.
Monty Moncrieff (he/him)
Role: Chief Executive
About: I’ve been working at London Friend since 2011 and have been the Chief Executive since 2012, but I’ve been working and volunteering in the LGBT sector since 1996. I spent almost 10 years as a helpline volunteer with Switchboard then in 2002 established Antidote, the LGBT drug and alcohol service that we now manage at London Friend. Outside of work I’m mildly obsessed with the Eurovision Song Contest, and co-host Second Cherry – almost a Eurovision podcast (content warning = super-niche geekery).
Mental health top tip: As a Chief Executive it can be difficult to maintain work boundaries as you need to be available to respond to almost anything at any time but having outside interests and projects help me with this. It’s important to be able to immerse myself into an entirely different environment which helps me balance my work commitments. Trying and learning new things is also really helpful.
Julian (he/him)
Role: Antidote Manager
About: My journey with London Friend began when I became a volunteer for Antidote in 2019. I wanted to be more involved with supporting the LGBTQ+ community in London particularly when it comes to mental health and wellbeing, substance use and Chemsex. I feel incredibly proud to be Antidote manager, and I want to thank all our wonderful Antidote Volunteers, we couldn't offer the amazing level of service that we do, without your support.
Mental health top tip: My mental health tips are, practice self-care, get out and (socially) active and be kind to yourself! Self-care is so important, especially when living in London. Explore what works for you and try to be consistent with your self-care regime! Get out and (socially) active, we are social beings! Connect with our beautiful community, get involved with nature , and have some fun whilst doing it! Last but by no means least! Be kind to yourself. Need I say anything more! ❤
José (he/him)
Role: Counselling Manager
About: I have a 20 year history with London Friend, as a client, Group Facilitator and Counsellor. I have been a counsellor since 2016 and a Member of the BACP. I have been the Counselling Coordinator since March 2022. I love travelling and getting out of the city.
Mental health top tip: Meditation is great for me
Daniel D. Rhymer (he/him)
Role: Volunteer Manager
About: I have been with London Friend since 2015 and really love all the work we do, but also generally the cooperative spirit between various LGBT+ charities in London. Personally, I love travel specifically combining it with visiting foreign Prides whenever possible. I’m a big movie, video games, music/vinyl, politics and science buff. I also enjoy a good time in London’s gay scene and have been known to shake a leg or two on various dance floors.
Mental health top tip: I guess the basics are exercise, nutrition, sleep and authentic social interactions. The rest is figuring out the things which work for you as there is no one size fits all approach. Counselling can help with that. Generally, don’t be afraid to ask for help and support, there is tons out there!
Tilly (she/her)
Role: Health and Wellbeing Administrator
About: I joined the London Friend team in October 2023 and it has been incredibly rewarding to work with the LGBTQ+ community and see the amazing work that London Friend does.
Mental health top tip: Finding a way of exercising or moving your body that you enjoy and makes you feel good, whether that is walking, a sport of some kind, yoga or dancing.
Jaye (she/they)
Role: Domestic Abuse Counsellor & Senior LGBT Counsellor
About: I have worked at London Friend since May 2019, and love being part of our team. I work as a counsellor with people who have experienced domestic abuse. I have recently joined the general counselling service too, as a Senior counsellor, and in both roles I offer the options of online, and face to face counselling services.
Mental health top tip: Getting out in nature it possible, & if you don’t live near to a green area, get some house plants for flat mates.If neither of the above are possible, watching a programme on nature / listening to David Attenborough’s voice always has a soothing effect on me.
Steph (she/her)
Role: Antidote Recovery Worker (DAWS Partnership)
About: I’m Steph! I’m yet another Kiwi in London and am fresh off the plane in June this year. My background is working as a mental health and addictions Nurse in both NZ and Australia, focussing mainly on AOD case management and withdrawal units.
I’m so excited to be joining London Friends’ Antidote team as a DAWS partnership recovery worker.
Outside of work you’ll find me exploring London, catching a flight to some gorgeous foreign city, or soaking up the sunshine in the common.
Ray (he/him)
Role: Antidote Recovery Worker (Chemsex and Crime Lead)
About: I moved to London and started with London Friend in June 2024, following 8 years of living in Cardiff. I've volunteered and worked in the support sector for the last 10 years, and I trained to become an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor in 2023 whilst working in the criminal justice field. I have also worked with young people, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. In my spare time, I like hiking, reading, having a good dance, and roasting any vegetable I can find.
Mental health top tip: Find ways to spend more time outside and in nature, learn to sit with your feelings, express your creativity, and value your friendships.
Tommy (he/him)
Role: Antidote recovery worker
About me: I initially volunteered at Antidote for around 18months before joining the team full time in 2024. With a masters in Health Psychology and studies as a trainee counsellor, the role enables me to support others along their journey of substance misuse and recovery. With my own past experiences of addiction (and having had Antidote there for me in my time of need), it’s a beautiful and powerful full circle moment to now be able to be there for others.
Mental health top tip:
Daily gratitude. Writing and sharing five things everyday for which I am grateful for, even on those darker days. Taking a moment to notice and acknowledge these things can brighten your outlook, boost your mood, and help you feel more positive in the face of challenges.
Dan (He/Him)
Role: Antidote Reco
very Worker
About: Hey I’m Dan. I started volunteering at Antidote in September 2025 and I have managed to bag myself the job as one of the Bi-Borough LGBT recovery workers.
I have a background in Psychology, with specific interests all things neuroscience and addiction. With my lived experienced, it’s great that I can now be there to support others in their recovery journey. When not a work, you can often find me spending all my money in charity shops, at an exhibition or out on long walks.
Poppy (she/her)
Role: Antidote Recover Worker (City & Hackney Partnership)
About: I started volunteering for Antidote in the summer of 2025 and loved the people, believed in and connected with the work
so much that I joined the staff team at the start of 2026.
I’ve worked mainly as a freelance theatre director for the past 10 years, where I’ve focussed on international, interdisciplinary and queer work as well as working with young people and in communities. I’m a co-founder of the theatre company Side eYe, which platforms stories for and by black Muslim women.
What underpins all my work is bringing people together in necessary and perspective altering conversations and reflections about our internal and external worlds and how we relate to each other and ourselves in them. This is where I see hope.
I have a Diploma in Group Analysis and have been working facilitating therapeutic groups and in mental health settings since 2020.
I love music, dancing, reading, drawing, meeting new people, frolicking about in grassy or foresty spaces, exploring this city and the world but also turning my phone off and chilling at home with my cats.
Mental Health Top Tip(s): Keep trying to find balance and safety. Accept messiness, contradictions and uncertainty. Celebrate difference. Discover your boundaries. Don’t fear conflict. Listen to each other without judgement. Tune in to how you’re really feeling – even if it’s angry, sad or scared. Identify and rebel against oppressive forces. Don’t make assumptions about others or how you’re perceived by them. Time alone to think and feel. Time to play. Permission to fail. Simple joys. Daily accomplishments. Gratitude. Ask for help! Know your strength and your bravery and your wisdom! ❤
Pat (she/they)
Role: Antidote Recovery Worker (City and Hackney Partnership)
About: I joined London Friend in January 2026, having worked in various LGBTQ+ community support roles over the past eight years. I have a background in healthcare and the support needs of LGBTQ+ people navigating health systems, most recently working at Gendered Intelligence supporting trans people and their families through the process of medical transition.
Outside of work, I am married to the dance floor, and believe wholeheartedly in living well and showing ourselves compassion while also bringing the fun. Beyond the boogie, I love crochet, bandanas, elaborate piercing set ups, 2016 makeup tutorials and paleontology. My family and home are brimming with queer siblings and friends, and I would not have it any other way.
Yasmin (they/she)
Role: Health and Wellbeing Coach
About: I joined the London Friend team in August, 2024. Before joining, I worked at NAZ (a sexual health charity for Black, Brown and Global Majority and LGBTQ+ communities) as an outreach engagement co-ordinator. I have also facilitated support group spaces, such as the Queer East and South-East Asian support group.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time playing DnD, video games, cooking and playing board games with friends.
Mental Health Top Tip: Finding a creative outlet, spaces to express yourself and creating a self-care routine. This can look different for everyone, you could be spending time alone to recuperate or hanging out with friends, just remember to always set aside time for self-care!
Angela
Role: Lead Antidote Volunteer
Dawn (she/her)
Role: Counsellor, SASH Partnership
About: I'm a counsellor with the SASH partnership. I was a volunteer counsellor with London Friend for many years. My background is working in the NHS in sexual health and HIV services.
Mental health top tip: get out into nature and use your senses to connect to the natural world. It really helps us to feel calmer and more alive.
Lee
Role: Sexual Health and Wellbeing Coach, SASH Partnership
Click here to find out more about our trustees.
You can contact our fabulous team through our office email address: office@londonfriend.org.uk.
