About Us - Nucleus Legal Advice Centre

Management Committee

Trustees help to plan and shape the future development.

Alan Murdie

Chair

Alan has been involved with Nucleus in various capacities since 1993. He’s an expert on Debt and Enforcement. Alan has written and broadcasted extensively on his specialism, including the current CPAG Council tax book. Also, he was the Head of intellectual property at Thames Valley University in the 1990’s. Alan is passionate about justice and protecting individual rights.

Roy Hiscock

Trustee

Roy is a chartered accountant and has been treasurer of Nucleus since 1997. He has been involved as an accountant within the voluntary sector for about 20 years, having spent many years working for a firm of auditors, so is almost a “gamekeeper turned poacher”. Loves: opera (especially Monteverdi, Mozart, Verdi, Wagner and Berg), music (especially Mozart, Beethoven, Berlioz and Berg), theatre (Shakespeare, Ibsen and Beckett), And travel (especially outside Europe). Dislikes: pretentiousness.

Robert Allan

Trustee

Robert Allan, originally from Brighton, has spent the last 45 years in Central London. His background includes a 40plus year practice as a lawyer predominantly in the music business. He is now retired, although continues to lecture in his subject. Robert feels strongly that Nucleus should also be supported by private charitable funding. He has built links with the private sector.

Charles Donkoh

Trustee

Chantal Warren-Jones

Trustee

I is a passionate ethicist, legal professional and founder of Holo Consultancy helping to bridge the gap between business innovation, ethics and humanity. I have extensive experience developing and managing global corporate policy, protecting intellectual and reputational assets following formal training at the Bar of England and Wales. Perceptive to the dynamics of change and contextualising though effective collaboration with tactful diplomacy.

Charles Eder

Trustee

Charles Eder has been a part of Nucleus Legal Advice Centre since 2007. As a trustee he has particularly been interested in aspects of fund raising and communication, in particular Nucleus’ website. Charles has also had the honour of representing Nucleus at many functions and training sessions. He has worked for over 20 years in the non-profit sector in many countries in Europe and Africa as well as in the USA and in India. He holds an MBA and a European Master in Environmental Management and currently works in Dublin in the IT industry

Our Staff

Here’s the team that makes it all possible.

Management Team

Baljit Badesha

Director

I have over 35 years experience working in the voluntary sector in law centres, advice centres and community organisations. I have worked at Nucleus since 1997. What drew me to nucleus still is true today as it was back in the first day. The reasons are simple : every year we have had new challenges. and every year the whole organisation from trustees, to staff and volunteers: all have pulled together to meet them in new an innovative ways. I really appreciate being a part of a organisation which provides advice AND access to in social welfare law. I am really proud to lead a community facing organisation which works closes with communities and clients we intend to serve. I strongly believe our approach to advice combined with staff passion to tackle the issues and to empower people using the law, has led to Nucleus staying at the forefront of delivering advice. I am also very proud of the number of student placements, volunteers and interns who give us their time , efforts and energy every day. They are crucial to our daily service delivery. My hopes for the future – for nucleus to continue to innovate to tackle poverty and it’s effects. I hope we can meet the needs of the most vulnerable and in need and we can keep the services accessible to the general public. I hope we have resources to make use of our expertise and knowledge to provide with early intervention, preventing what should be small problems or issues becoming ingrained long-term poverty.

Megan Redhouse

Services & Development Manager

I joined Nucleus in June 2019 and worked in the housing team. I helped develop our new housing project and worked with clients who were facing evictions, threatened with homelessness or were homeless. In 2022 I became the Services & Development Manager. I develop the services which we can offer to the local community, both by working in partnerships with other charities and organisation and also by developing what we are able to offer in our offices. I manage our amazing team of volunteers who are integral to the running of our services. I believe that everyone has a right to understand their legal rights and I am passionate to help people get the advice and support that they need. I enjoy developing the services depending on the needs of the community and am excited about the future for Nucleus.

Shamini Thevarajah

Housing Advice Manager

In 2019 I started at Nucleus as a volunteer telephone advisor for Ealing Advice Service. The role involved advising and assisting clients which I thoroughly enjoyed. I took leadership of the Bounce back project which was launched by Nucleus during the Covid period. The main focus was helping people who were struggling financially to access the welfare system. After a short period as a Supervisor for EAS, I moved to become a Housing Advisor for the Nucleus housing team. Whilst admittedly challenging at times, the work I do is incredibly rewarding knowing that I am able to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I have been the Coordinator for the Housing Team since 2022.

Kenny Anifowose

Debt Service Manager

I joined Nucleus in April 2022 as a Debt Advice Manager. Prior to joining Nucleus, I worked in a private law practice as a housing solicitor. At Nucleus, our priority is to ensure our clients receive the best quality debt advice and assistance and to put them in a situation where they no longer feel they have nowhere to turn for help. At Nucleus, we have helped many people to manage their debts and have continued to provide a well and truly deserving service to those facing the difficulty of debt. My specialism is in debt and Housing Law.

Anisha Bhandari

Advice Line Supervisor

I have over thirteen years of experience in social welfare law. As supervisor for the telephone advice line for the Ealing Advice Service, the advice line is very important as it is the first point of contact for the residents of the borough of Ealing. The assistance on the advice line is provided by volunteers from the community and students on university placements who provide invaluable advice and assistance to the most vulnerable members of the Ealing community. I enjoy supervising the advice line team who help us in our mission to disseminate information and empower people on their rights and responsibilities. I have attained the accreditation to provide Immigration Advice to OISC Level 1. Ealing is one of the most diverse and multi- cultural boroughs and this accreditation allows me to assist communities from all backgrounds.

Victoria Nalubega

Office Manager

I joined Nucleus as a volunteer and became fascinated by the extraordinary work we did. To become a part of the decision making, I took on a more permanent role of HR/Office Manager. In this role, I have had the privilege of leading a team of volunteers in Ealing to deliver front desk advice to the local community. We have identified problems being faced by the local residents and created drop-in sessions to develop a more accessible service and meet client needs. I am committed to developing the role and service further through continuing to actively identify and support the local communities’ needs and working closely with the team at Nucleus.

Faheem Ashraf

Ealing Advice Supervisor

I joined Ealing Advice Service in December 2023 as a volunteer on the telephone triage. In November 2024, I took on my role as Telephone Advice Line Deputy Supervisor and Access Lead as I wanted to play a more active role in the running of our services. What motivates me in my work is the satisfaction clients feel once they have been advised on their issue and empowered to take the next steps. I enjoy developing my knowledge on social welfare law and housing law while giving back to the community which has shaped me. Before working in my current role, I interned with a law firm in London and a pro-bono legal advice centre in the North-West of England. I also worked as a teaching assistant, supporting children with special educational needs in London schools.

Housing Team

Parnian Mohammadi

Housing Advisor

I joined Nucleus as a volunteer in December 2022 after graduating with my law degree. Shortly after, in April 2023, I began working as a housing adviser in the World’s End project. I am passionate about helping people understand their rights and empower them while acting on their behalf. What I enjoy most about my role is learning about social welfare and housing law while gaining practical experience in the community. Before joining Nucleus, I advised asylum seekers and those needing legal aid at a refugee clinic and my university’s Legal Advice Centre.

Charlie Young

Housing caseworker

Sami Shah

Housing Advisor

I joined Nucleus in 2023 as a housing volunteer, assisting the housing team on a variety of matters, including evictions. I have progressed to join the housing team, with a specific focus on mental health. Outside of housing law, I have a passion for civil litigation and hope to practice in both housing law and litigation as a qualified solicitor. I thoroughly enjoy solving problems for clients, as well as working together with the team at Nucleus.

Debt Team

Shola Vaughan

SENIOR Debt Advisor

I am a specialist debt advisor with several years of experience in dealing with both simple and complex debt issues. With the application of a range of regulatory structures, I have been successful with challenging unenforceable debts thus reducing most clients' indebtedness and alleviating household poverty within the local community. Working at Nucleus has enabled me fulfil my passion of providing assistance to clients; particularly, vulnerable clients who may otherwise have been excluded from obtaining free debt advice. The debt team continues to empower clients by providing them with the ability to take control of their finances.

Patricia Adebajo

Debt advisor

I joined Nucleus’ money project in late 2017, as a volunteer. I strongly believe people can learn to manage their money better to help make future plans for themselves and the family. It can make a huge difference to people who often have to choose between putting money aside for a brighter future and keeping up with the rent : we want people to be able to do both and to be able to enjoy life at the same time.

Kalpamayee Das Parija

Debt Advisor

I joined Nucleus as a Trainee Debt Advisor in November 2020 and successfully completed CMA Level 3 Award in Generalist Debt Advice (MaPS accredited at Advice Level) and then CMA Level 4 Award in Casework/Specialist Debt Advice (MaPS accredited at Casework/Specialist) by end of 2021 and continued working with the experienced advisors. I joined the Nucleus debt team as a Debt Advisor from October 2022. I recently completed CertMAP (a Level 5 qualification which is accredited by the Money and Pension Service (MaPS) to caseworker/specialist level. As a Debt Advisor my priority is to helping clients to find sustainable solutions for presenting problems, in order to help them to become debt free, giving them real hope for the future. I have a wide range of experience spanning over 10 years from working in various voluntary/community organisations. Prior to joining Nucleus, I worked in various administration settings including supporting and delivering training projects as well as employment projects for BAME women’s employment, training and education program. My passion is helping others and working for the community to make a difference.

Abhijeet Jadhav

Debt Advice Caseworker

Benefits Team

Peter Bynghall

Welfare Rights Caseworker

II have been a welfare rights adviser for over 25 years. I previously worked for a law centre and citizens advice bureaux.

Richard Deller

Welfare Benefits Caseworker

I started as a volunteer with Ealing Advice Service in 2014. Since Summer 2015 I have worked as a generalist case advisor and now specialise in complex Universal Credit issues, Housing Benefit , ESA/PIP/DLA appeals and benefits for people from abroad (EU). I am committed to supporting individuals and families in challenging decisions made by central and local governments. Frequently these decisions have a profound affect on their daily lives across many areas. I previously worked in barrister’s chambers for over 20 years

Rosa Crowley

Welfare Rights Caseworker

I am a case work adviser in welfare benefits. I have extensive experience working with Spanish-speaking charities and citizen advice services, making a significant difference in many people's lives. I am now part of Nucleus, where I continue my work with the Welfare Benefits team.