Our Team

Richard Morris

Richard has worked in health and social care settings since 2002. He is a Mental Health Nurse and has been registered with the NMC since 2005. Richard has worked in a variety of settings from CAMHS to older persons teams, both in the community and inpatient services. He has been a service manager in a range of mental health services and teams.

Richard was an AMHP from 2010 until 2017 and has been a Best Interest Assessor since 2011, undertaking Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments for various Local Authorities. Richard undertook the National Advocacy Qualification in 2021 and is an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate. He is passionate about ensuring the voices and rights of individuals are heard and upheld. 

Leocardia Kyomugisha

Leocardia trained as a lawyer in Uganda. She worked for a law and advocacy organisation supporting women in Uganda with complex legal and social matters, advocating for gender equality, and promoting justice. Leocardia founded the Prisoners Aid Project in Uganda, a non-governmental and charitable organisation, whose main objective was to support individuals wrongfully imprisoned because of a miscarriage of justice.

Leocardia has worked in different health and social care settings in the United Kingdom, supporting diverse client groups. She volunteered as a Paid Representative for an advocacy service, supporting people in care homes subject to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Leocardia undertook her National Advocacy Qualification in 2021 and is an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate. She has supported parents in civil and family law proceedings and has worked as a Paid Representative.

Debbie Ryding

I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work and have pursued advanced training in mental health and capacity assessments, positioning myself as a leading expert in the intersection of Social Work and legal frameworks. With over eight years of experience, I have dedicated my career to empowering individuals and their families facing complex healthcare and educational decisions. As an independent Social Worker, I operate autonomously, offering a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and Advocacy. I am a qualified Best Interest Assessor and I am well versed in conducting thorough assessments, taking into account the unique needs and preferences of individuals who may lack mental capacity. I have undertaken extensive work with Parent Carer Alliances in both Local authority challenges via assessments and EHCP challenges. I have also dedicated my skills to addressing challenges related to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP). I have worked in advocacy since 2016 and have been a qualified Independent Mental Capacity Advocate and Care Act Advocate since 2019. I have taken a high number of cases to the Court of Protection supporting the voice of the individual.