About Us
Who We Are
Founded in October 2016, FND Action became the first UK-registered charity dedicated solely to supporting individuals diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). We exist to ensure that no one faces this condition alone.
“We know what it’s like to be diagnosed with a condition you’ve never heard of, one that even many medical professionals struggle to understand. Our goal is to change that by providing accurate, up-to-date information and a strong community of support.”
— Kim Hearne, CEO
FND Action was built by people with direct experience of FND, whether living with the condition themselves or supporting a loved one through it. Everyone involved bring lived understanding, compassion, and commitment. Together, we work across the UK to connect people with support, raise awareness, and advocate for better care. We collaborate with healthcare professionals, related charities, and organisations to improve understanding and access to treatment.
Our Board of Trustees bring a diverse range of professional skills, including expertise in healthcare, governance, education, communications, and lived experience as carers and individuals affected by FND. This combination ensures the charity is guided with insight, empathy, and strong leadership.
Our Vision
To shine a light on Functional Neurological Disorder, so that people diagnosed feel heard, supported and empowered.
Our Mission
To create a world where FND is no longer hidden or misunderstood, where all people affected receive empathy and understanding and can access the support and treatment that is right for them.
Our Values
| Empathy We approach every person and situation with compassion and understanding. | Knowledge We provide accurate information to ensure our community is always well-informed. | Support We create safe spaces where people can share experiences and receive peer and expert support. |
| Community We welcome staff, volunteers, and supporters from all backgrounds who share in our mission. | Transparency We are accountable to our community and ensure our resources are well-managed. | Advocacy We work tirelessly to ensure that FND patients receive the treatment and support they deserve. |
Meet The Team:
Meet Tom Plender, Trustee, Chair.
Tom is a musician, artist and FND campaigner from London UK. He had music lessons from an early age and went on to study drums, percussion and piano at the Guildhall School of Music. Throughout his late teens and early 20’s he worked as a professional musician performing with many of the leading jazz musicians in the UK. At end of the 1990’s he developed FND [Functional Neurological Disorder] which left him profoundly disabled and unable to continue his music career.
It took over a decade to find a diagnosis for this poorly understood condition, but in 2012 he met the neurologist Professor Mark Edwards, now recognised as a leading researcher in the field, and was part of the first wave of patients to receive a ground-breaking new treatment approach, mostly comprised of neuro- physiotherapy movement retraining. Tom is now committed to campaigning and creating greater awareness for FND and has been the subject of several television appearances and newspaper articles discussing his experience of the condition.
Meet Eric Rosser, Trustee.
Eric retired in 2009 from a business background that was almost entirely in the Retail Industry, where he held many senior management positions. This included thirty years in purchasing, controlling multi million pound budgets.
He became involved with FND Action when his daughter Kim, the charity’s CEO, was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. He saw how the charity was making a meaningful difference to those affected, and the potential it had to create positive change. He wanted to be involved, and has been a trustee since January 2017.
Originally from Wales, Eric lives with his wife in Cheshire and uses his spare time to pursue a variety of interests including Welsh Rugby, music, and reading a good thriller. His passion for walking has taken him up the country’s tallest mountains, and some of Europe’s best known long distance trails.
Meet James Shipley, Trustee.
James has had numerous roles within the voluntary sector, most recently as a community and events fundraiser at York Mind. He brings his experience within the voluntary sector, particularly fundraising, to the trustee board.
Two years after his symptoms began, James was diagnosed with functional seizures as well as Epilepsy – both conditions are now under control. Due to the lack of understanding about functional seizures leading up to his diagnosis, James found FND Action which helped him further understand the condition. The information provided inspired him to raise both money and awareness for the charity and the condition. He is an avid campaigner raising awareness for both FND and Epilepsy, as well as addressing the mental health impact that these may have on a person.
James now works within construction, monitoring a projects environmental impact and social value.
Meet Dr Tim Nicholson, Trustee.
Dr Tim Nicholson is a Reader in Neuropsychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, and leads the Neuropsychiatry Research and Education Group (NREG). He is an Honorary Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. His clinical and research work focuses on Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), immunopsychiatry and broader neuropsychiatric disorders – including those resulting from COVID-19.
He set up a pioneering specialist multidisciplinary clinic for FND in 2012 and has over 20 years of experience working clinically with FND. It was the topic of his PhD, and the majority of his subsequent research activity including leading on studies into mechanisms, outcome measures and novel treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and more recently psychedelics and Virtual Reality. He has published over 100 peer reviewed papers, over half of which are on FND, edited a book on motor FND, written 7 book chapters on FND and multiple books on general and specialist pharmacology.
Tim is also co-chair of the patient liaison committee of the FND Society, and on the committee of the UK FND network. He is on the executive committee of the Neuropsychiatry faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrist and the British Neuropsychiatry Association. He is secretary of the Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine and chairs the MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry at the IoPPN.
Meet Richmond Stace, Trustee.
Bio to follow ..
Meet Lisa Dickinson, Trustee.
Lisa’s first role was as a support worker for young homeless people, since then she has gone on to develop and deliver a wide range of quality social care and support services across mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse and criminal justice.
Currently the Chief Executive of a large Community Interest Company providing a wide range of supported living and community services for people with complex learning disabilities and dementia, she is passionate about stakeholder involvement and quality person-centred support.
Recently she has been nominated as the Health and Social care VCSE representative on the Salford (Integrated Care System) Locality Board.
Lisa’s daughter lives with FND, she was shocked at the many years it took to reach a diagnosis and moved by the lack of understanding and awareness of the condition which has motivated her to want to be involved.
Weather permitting, she enjoys paddleboarding and walking her Spanish rescue dog Pedro, she is currently refurbishing an old Victorian house and working on her first vegetable garden.
Meet Jenay Brehm, Trustee.
Introducing Jenay, who joined FND Action as Treasurer in December 2024. With over eight years of experience in accounting and finance, she is dedicated to making a difference. Jenay’s personal connection to FND, through her mother’s journey facing the complexities of diagnosis and treatment fuels her passion for our cause. She also saw how the charity helped her mum and can also help others in bringing awareness.
Jenay resides in Hertfordshire with her family, enjoys reading books of various genres, exploring culinary experiences and listening to music and podcasts.
Meet Kim Rosser (Hearne), CEO.
Kim is the CEO and founder of FND Action. Her role is underpinned by her profound lived experience, conversing with hundreds of others in similar situations, and gaining knowledge through neuroscience developments. At the time of her diagnosis, in January 2014, there was very little support out there and medical care for the condition was sparse. This was the starting point of her passion to help others who were also suffering from severe disabilities that were being greatly neglected.
Over time Kim has developed a deep understanding of the struggles this community faces. This has equipped her with advanced skills to support and be a unified patient’s voice, and given her the knowledge needed to work towards better care and understanding through advocacy work and collaborations within the health and social care sectors.
As the CEO, lived experience continues to inspire and guide the charity’s mission, ensuring that it remains a leading beacon to support those diagnosed in the UK.
Head Office Address:
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Registered Charity (1169554)
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5a New Road Avenue
Chatham, Kent
ME4 6BB
Email: contact@fndaction.org.uk