Patrons and trustees

Solicitor Alison Wetherfield was appointed chair of the MF Trustees in January 2008. An employment lawyer, Alison specialised in sex discrimination with the National Organisation for Women Legal Defence and Education Fund in New York and taught in Tokyo before going into private practice in the UK.

"The trustees' role is one of fiscal and strategic oversight. We are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the work of the organisation continues to be done to the best of everyone's ability and in the best interests of our clients, which means being a questioning and supportive friend.

"Clients come to the MF as a place of sanctuary and healing in a very hostile world. Our staff not only deal with providing services to our clients but also act as human rights advocates for the people who don't reach us."