Katie & Neil

Founder & Director

Katie Russell

Poppy’s Promise was founded by Katie following the devastating loss of her daughter, Poppy. Determined that no family should feel unheard, unsupported or alone during the most difficult moments of their lives, Katie transformed her personal experience into a mission for meaningful change.

What began as an idea has grown into a pioneering programme dedicated to improving compassionate care, patient experience and workplace culture across not just maternity and neonatal services but the whole of the NHS care platform. From developing training programmes and educational resources to building partnerships with healthcare organisations, Katie has led every stage of Poppy’s Promise’s growth from the ground up.

Driven by the belief that kindness, empathy and communication are as important as clinical care, Katie works closely with NHS Trusts, healthcare professionals and families to ensure lived experience is used to inform and improve services. Her work focuses not only on how patients are cared for, but also on how healthcare professionals support one another, recognising that compassionate cultures create better outcomes for everyone.

Katie’s vision is for Poppy’s Promise to become a nationally recognised force for change, helping to embed compassionate, person-centred care throughout the NHS. Through collaboration, education and advocacy, she continues to work towards a future where every family feels seen, heard and supported, and where every healthcare professional is empowered to provide the very best care.

Poppy’s Promise was born from loss, but its purpose is hope. Katie’s ambition is to create lasting change across the NHS, ensuring that compassion is never left to chance and that every interaction between patients, families and healthcare professionals is shaped by kindness, dignity and understanding.

Founder & Director

Neil Russell

While Katie is often the public face of Poppy’s Promise, Neil is the force behind the work that happens behind the scenes. As Co-Founder, he has played a vital role in helping transform a deeply personal loss into a growing movement for change.

Following the loss of their daughter, Poppy, Neil became committed to ensuring that her legacy would make a meaningful difference to other families. Bringing a practical and measured approach, he provides the support, stability and perspective that have helped Poppy’s Promise develop from an idea into a respected and influential organisation.

Neil oversees many of the operational and strategic elements that enable the charity’s work to continue and grow. From supporting long-term planning and governance to helping navigate the challenges that come with establishing and developing a new organisation.

While much of his contribution takes place away from the spotlight, his commitment to Poppy’s Promise is unwavering and steadfast. He understands first-hand the impact that loss can have on individuals and families and shares the organisation’s belief that compassionate care has the power to shape experiences that are remembered for a lifetime.

Together with Katie, Neil remains dedicated to creating a lasting legacy for Poppy—one that not only supports families during their most vulnerable moments but also helps drive cultural change across healthcare. His belief is simple: that every family deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity and humanity, and that lasting change is built through commitment, collaboration and quiet determination.

Founder & Director

Katie Russell

Poppy’s Promise was founded by Katie following the devastating loss of her daughter, Poppy. Determined that no family should feel unheard, unsupported or alone during the most difficult moments of their lives, Katie transformed her personal experience into a mission for meaningful change.

What began as an idea has grown into a pioneering programme dedicated to improving compassionate care, patient experience and workplace culture across not just maternity and neonatal services but the whole of the NHS care platform. From developing training programmes and educational resources to building partnerships with healthcare organisations, Katie has led every stage of Poppy’s Promise’s growth from the ground up.

Driven by the belief that kindness, empathy and communication are as important as clinical care, Katie works closely with NHS Trusts, healthcare professionals and families to ensure lived experience is used to inform and improve services. Her work focuses not only on how patients are cared for, but also on how healthcare professionals support one another, recognising that compassionate cultures create better outcomes for everyone.

Katie’s vision is for Poppy’s Promise to become a nationally recognised force for change, helping to embed compassionate, person-centred care throughout the NHS. Through collaboration, education and advocacy, she continues to work towards a future where every family feels seen, heard and supported, and where every healthcare professional is empowered to provide the very best care.

Poppy’s Promise was born from loss, but its purpose is hope. Katie’s ambition is to create lasting change across the NHS, ensuring that compassion is never left to chance and that every interaction between patients, families and healthcare professionals is shaped by kindness, dignity and understanding.

Founder & Director

Neil Russell

While Katie is often the public face of Poppy’s Promise, Neil is the force behind the work that happens behind the scenes. As Co-Founder, he has played a vital role in helping transform a deeply personal loss into a growing movement for change.

Following the loss of their daughter, Poppy, Neil became committed to ensuring that her legacy would make a meaningful difference to other families. Bringing a practical and measured approach, he provides the support, stability and perspective that have helped Poppy’s Promise develop from an idea into a respected and influential organisation.

Neil oversees many of the operational and strategic elements that enable the charity’s work to continue and grow. From supporting long-term planning and governance to helping navigate the challenges that come with establishing and developing a new organisation.

While much of his contribution takes place away from the spotlight, his commitment to Poppy’s Promise is unwavering and steadfast. He understands first-hand the impact that loss can have on individuals and families and shares the organisation’s belief that compassionate care has the power to shape experiences that are remembered for a lifetime.

Together with Katie, Neil remains dedicated to creating a lasting legacy for Poppy—one that not only supports families during their most vulnerable moments but also helps drive cultural change across healthcare. His belief is simple: that every family deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity and humanity, and that lasting change is built through commitment, collaboration and quiet determination.