About RootsMove

CO-DIRECTOR

Grace is one of the co-directors of RootsMove. Back in 2021 whilst at TimePeace, Grace recognised there were acute housing challenges for refugees in the UK and limited housing support services. Grace believes that housing is a basic human right, but in our current system in the UK, homes are treated as a mechanism for profit. She works to disrupt this and restore housing justice and dignity through her work at RootsMove and in her other role at Quaker Housing Trust.

Alongside this work, Grace enjoys learning languages (currently British Sign Language and Russian) and being outdoors in nature.

CO-DIRECTOR

Thelma is a passionate community leader, advocate, and strategist working at the heart of refugees in the UK. As Co-Director of RootsMove, she supports newly granted refugees to access safe housing, rebuild their lives, and feel a sense of belonging from day one.

She is also the CEO of Say It Loud Club, a grassroots organisation championing the rights of LGBTQ+ refugees. Across both roles, Thelma brings a strong commitment to peer-led support, equity, and culturally responsive leadership.

With a background in grassroots organising and coalition-building, Thelma leads powerful advocacy and campaigns that give voice to lived experience with over a decade working to influence policymakers and challenge systems that fail marginalised communities. Her approach is bold, compassionate, and rooted in the belief that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to thrive.

Danny works in local government transformation, specialising in change and service innovation in children’s social care. Previously working in social housing, Danny has worked on a variety of projects. These range from Tonic Housing, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ retirement community, to Notting Hill Genesis, working on one of Europe’s largest redevelopment projects. Danny founded First Brick Housing, which seeks to find housing solutions for LGBTQ+ people and those who experience related discrimination.

I'm the Head of Public Affairs at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with responsibility for our overarching political positioning, providing senior counsel to our Executive Team, and delivery of the CBI's parliamentary engagement strategy. Before the CBI I led on social policy at the National Lottery Community Fund and have an MSc in Public Policy and Management. Outside work, I'm also the Chair for Labour in Comms - a fast-growing professional network for Labour members and supporters working in corporate communications, the media, and public affairs.

Martha Atuheire is a committed social worker and advocate with a strong passion for social justice, particularly in support of girls, women, refugees and people seeking asylum. Originally from Uganda, Martha is a young Black woman who brings a wealth of lived experience of the United Kingdom’s refugee and asylum system.

Before relocating to the United Kingdom, Martha worked with several non-governmental organisations in Uganda, where she led a membership project with the Uganda Girl Guides Association. Since arriving in the United Kingdom, she has faced and overcome a range of integration challenges, demonstrating exceptional resilience and dedication.

Martha holds a Master of Arts degree in Social Work from Goldsmiths, University of London, and currently practises as a social worker within a London-based local authority. Her professional and voluntary work are grounded in her deep commitment to centring lived experience in service design and delivery.

In addition to her professional role, Martha actively volunteers on several boards of grassroots organisations in London that support refugees and people seeking asylum. She is widely recognised for her leadership and for being a powerful advocate for marginalised communities.

Ellie joined RootsMove at the start of 2025 as part of the social media team. She is passionate about RootsMove’s mission and enjoys volunteering for the sense of purpose and community it provides. In her spare time she loves to read, watch movies and travel, and is happiest when her cat's nearby.

Lorraine moved to the UK from Finland with her family in 2013. Since graduating University, she has been working in social media and communications, with a focus in non-profit and science communications.

Lorraine is committed to amplifying the voices of minority and underrepresented communities. This paired with her passion for communication and content creation, she’s excited to work with RootsMove to help the mission to end homelessness among refugees in the UK.

 With extensive experience in marketing, customer service, and business administration. He has worked in both the UK and Saudi Arabia across various roles, including marketing support, digital communications, and volunteer coordination. Omar has developed skills in social media management, content creation, and team collaboration, and has supported marketing efforts for both non-profits and businesses. Also contributed to influential community campaigns and initiatives.

Hana began volunteering with RootsMove in 2024 to support their partnerships development and impact reporting. Having focused her master’s thesis on the impact of refugee resettlement and integration policies, Hana has enjoyed contributing to RootsMove’s mission to ensure refugees can access safe and affordable housing and rebuild their lives in the UK. 

Zara is a creative Product Manager with a background in delivering user-led digital platforms across the ClimateTech and EdTech sectors. As Website Manager at RootsMove, she is working to create a practical, user-friendly website that supports RootsMove’s mission to prevent homelessness among refugees.

Always tinkering on a website or two, Zara spends her free time as the founding editor of Free the Verse, a digital poetry magazine designed to make poetry accessible to all.