Our Team | For Women

Meet The Team

We are a small, passionate team of like-minded women who strongly believe in making a difference in women’s lives and creating a big impact on our communities and society.

Our skills, qualities and experiences are unique and each of us believe in and practice guiding women to thrive in life.

Founder and Director

Vittoria De Meo

Vittoria is an Independent Mental Health Advisor, a workshops’ facilitator, and a mentor with coaching skills.

Since 2015, she has been involved with NHS Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Care Quality Commission, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She had the privilege of living in various multi-ethnic societies in European and African countries. Her experience of traveling inspired her to be open to diversity, learn about cultures and appreciate differences. During her time in Africa, she founded a social project whose aim was social inclusivity to improve healthcare.

When she's not busy working, Vittoria enjoys teaching her friends how to cook scrumptious Italian meals while enjoying a glass of vino!

Director

Esther Mmbago

For the past 15 years Esther has worked in the charity sector.

Esther's passion is in welfare and she has worked for a number of national charities specialising in advice and advocacy. She currently works as an Advice Manager for disability charity.

Esther has delivered outreach services, coordinated helpline services and provided training for third sector organisations.

She is a strong believer in supporting women with the right tools to be empowered and to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society.

Esther was born and raised in London and celebrates her Tanzanian and Filipino heritage.

In her spare time, she is happiest reading a good book or catching up with her latest Korean drama.

Operations

Nayereh Changizi

Nayereh is from Iran, where she worked as a corporate solicitor for many years. She has always been passionate about defending women's and children's rights and was involved in several NGOs in Iran, supporting labor rights, children, and unaccompanied women.

Since 2022, she has volunteered with a charity supporting Afghan refugee women. In January 2023, she joined For Women CIC, where she works as a facilitator and team member. She believes in the importance of connecting with people from diverse backgrounds to foster human intimacy, vision, and philanthropy.

In her free time, Nayereh enjoys reading about diverse cultures, traditions, and history, and is passionate about painting, knitting, and cooking.

Our Associates

As an organization, we have an ‘open door’ policy, providing space and opportunities for all women who approach our activities. We ensure that our facilitators speak the relevant languages to ensure clear communication and a more supportive environment for all participants. Additionally, we make sure that our activities are culturally competent, respecting and adapting to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the women we serve. The sessions are led by qualified practitioners specializing in mental health, coaching, mindfulness, and peer-to-peer support, creating a comprehensive and welcoming environment for women from all walks of life.

Throughout our work, we also encourage our participants to take the lead and facilitate some sessions with professional support. By making lived experience leadership central to our activities, we empower women to thrive and guide their personal growth, fostering a community where they feel strong, valued, and in control of their own healing process.

Co-Production and Active Participation

At FOR WOMEN, we believe that co-production and active participation are more than just methods of engagement they are pathways to ownership, empowerment, and transformation. By actively involving the women we support in shaping our services, we create a space where their voices are heard, their experiences are valued, and their ideas are put into action.

Co-production is about working together as equals. It shifts the dynamic from a provider-recipient relationship to one where women take part in decision-making, planning, and evaluating the services that directly affect their lives. This fosters a sense of responsibility, belonging, and confidence key elements of self-empowerment.

At FOR WOMEN, we encourage active participation by:

Regular Feedback Sessions

Asking women what we do well, what we need to improve, and how we can better support them.

Workshops & Co-Designed Programs

Creating activities that reflect their needs, aspirations, and interests.

Leadership & Volunteering Opportunities

Encouraging women to take leading roles in projects, allowing them to develop skills and confidence.

Safe Spaces for Expression

Providing environments where they feel heard, respected, and valued.

By embracing co-production and active participation, we guide women to own their stories, their choices, and their futures because true empowerment begins when we recognise that we are the authors of our own lives.