The LNNM Team
Dianne Jones, Network Development Manager
Di is the charity’s main point of contact and supports the trustees to deliver LNNM’s core activities. She has a strong track record of working with individuals, groups and organisations across the voluntary and community sector and brings a wealth of experience in network development, relationship management and membership services. Di is particularly passionate about supporting and mobilising networks to help build stronger communities.
Dr Crystal Oldman, Chair
Dr Crystal Oldman is an independent community nursing consultant, with a career in nursing that spans more than 45 years.
Crystal has worked as a Health Visitor, serving disadvantaged communities in west London, where the community she supported included families with young children in temporary accommodation. From her experience in this role, she developed a longstanding interest in the social determinants of health, and the critical role of the community nurse in addressing health inequalities.
Crystal also enjoyed an academic career for 18 years, completing her Higher Education career as a dean, a role which involved developing partnerships with a range of public services to support workforce development and research, including a multiprofessional MSc in Inclusion Health.
In 2012 Crystal joined the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) as its Chief Executive. Her commitment to excellence in evidence-based practice, policy, innovation and the development of highly skilled nursing leaders has guided the development of the QICN’s highly acclaimed portfolio of programmes and networks to support the aim and strategic priorities of the charity. These included the Inclusion Health Nursing programme and the first set of field specific standards to support the development of the SPQ for Inclusion Health Nurses.
She was awarded a CBE in 2017 for services to community nursing and her leadership of the QICN; in 2020, she was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing and in 2023 Crystal was awarded the Gold Badge of the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.
In 2025, Crystal moved to ‘preferment’, a position of semi-retirement, to use her expertise and experience in the sector to support health and nursing charities and not-for-profits as a Trustee.
Kendra Schneller, Vice-Chair
Kendra won the Nursing Standard’s community nursing award for 2011, was the Kings Health Partners Adult Mentor of the year in 2014, had 2 photographs shortlisted in the RCN Care on Camera award 2016 and has published articles relating to her work in 2012 and 2018. Kendra is currently a member of the NHS Assembly and has become a Queen’s Nurse. Kendra is the current Vice Chair for the LNNM, a role she has been doing for over 2 years and is a member of the conference organising team.
As the Vice Chair, Kendra sits on the London Homeless Health Board, ensuring promotion of the Network being involved in key presentations. One of Kendra’s passions is highlighting the importance of Inclusion health and driving system changes for the clients she cares for.
I have been working in homeless health for the past 15 years. As a clinical nurse specialist in the Find and Treat Tb Team, my role is to support some of the most vulnerable people through diagnosis and treatment. I cycle around all of London helping individuals take up screening for TB, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV on the mobile Health Van.
Sam Dorney-Smith, Secretary
Sam Dorney-Smith qualified as a Registered Nurse (Adult Branch) in 1996. She started her inclusion health career as a Nurse Practitioner at the Three Boroughs Homeless Team in 2004, and later became Practice Development Nurse, and Team Leader. Whilst on the team she undertook a pilot of the Community Matron model with homeless patients in 2005, before going on to deliver the Lambeth Homeless Intermediate Care Pilot Project in 2009.
More recently Sam setup the Kings Health Partners Pathway Homeless Team across 3 NHS Trusts (Oct 2013–July 2015). Sam has been heavily involved in the London Network of Nurses and Midwives since 2004 and was a previous Chair.
She is now a Nursing Fellow at the Pathway charity undertaking service development, evaluation and research.
Yasmin Appleby, Treasurer
I have been working in homeless health for the past 15 years. As a clinical nurse specialist in the Find and Treat Tb Team, my role is to support some of the most vulnerable people through diagnosis and treatment. I cycle around all of London helping individuals take up screening for TB, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV on the mobile Health Van.
I have been the LNNM treasurer for the past 2 years. As treasurer for the LNNM (in a not-for-profit organisation) this involves overseeing all aspect of its finances including book keeping, financial planning and budgeting and spending particularly around our very well attended and fun annual conference.
I feel very passionate about the practical support the LNNM provides to its members. The network has given me an opportunity to connect with other nurses and healthcare professions and share knowledge about clinical decisions and issues that impact the delivery of health services to vulnerable groups.
Jane Cook
Jane is a founder member of LNNM Homelessness Group and chaired the group until mid 2025.
Jane has worked in health exclusion for over 32 years working with asylum seekers, refugees, Travellers and gypsies, people who are homeless – both single and families.
Jane has worked in a range of venues providing health care as well as developing services. Jane is a Queens Nurse, and previously helped to set up the QNI Homeless Health Initiative. She is now the clinical lead for the Healthy London Partnership London Homeless Health Programme.
Kate Bowgett
Kate Bowgett is Groundswell’s Director of Advocacy and manages their Homeless Health Peer Advocacy services across London. Her background is in volunteer management, and she has worked for the Terence Higgins Trust, Volunteering England and as a Volunteer Management Advisor for small charities and museums. She is particularly interested in how organisations can meaningfully involve people who are often excluded from volunteering.
Ashleigh Knowles
Ashleigh currently works in homeless health with Groundswell, her work involves helping to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and people without stable housing and complex needs.
Ashleigh has worked on a number of research projects focused on creating trauma-informed resources for people facing homelessness. Including working with NHS North Central London Cancer Alliance in developing a cancer screening campaign, Your Health First, for people experiencing homelessness. Ashleigh drew on both her lived experience and the voices of the clients she supports to help develop encouraging resources to address the low uptake of cancer screenings within this demographic. Ashleigh is passionate about addressing health exclusion and committed to the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to healthcare.
Oscar Fricke
Oscar Fricke is a passionate advocate for inclusion health, supporting people affected by homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. He works as a High Intensity User (HIU) Support Worker at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, assisting some of the most marginalised patients in the healthcare system.
Previously, Oscar was a Case Worker at homelessness charity Groundswell, providing direct support in Lewisham through GP outreach clinics and helping individuals overcome barriers to healthcare.
Oscar is committed to challenging systemic neglect and ensuring no one falls through the cracks. As a trustee of LNNM, he brings frontline insight, empathy, and a drive to improve outcomes for underserved communities.
Chris Torry
Chris is a nurse with a background in inclusion health and substance misuse. He is currently an academic at City St Georges, University of London.
