Value. Love. Affirm. Develop.
Meet the Board
Anna Nikolin, Clinical Counselling and Support Lead, Founder, Director, Data Protection Officer.
I am a qualified psychotherapist and psychologist, the Founder and a Director of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals who face mental health challenges, social isolation, and barriers to care. This company is a legacy to my son, Vladimir, whose struggles with social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm, and functional neurological disorder led to his tragic death by suicide at the age of 17. His life and loss fuel my deep commitment to helping others who are often overlooked by traditional services.
In addition to this personal loss, I have faced my own battles with PTSD, CPTSD, homelessness, and discrimination as a refugee. These experiences have shaped my passion for supporting those who have limited access to mental health resources or are facing long waiting lists for care. I believe in creating safe, inclusive spaces for individuals who need support but may not have the financial means or the right services available to them.
Through V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, I am building a community where people can feel empowered, included, and supported—no matter the challenges they’ve faced. This organisation is my way of honoring Vladimir’s memory by offering others the help and compassion he never received. I am also deeply passionate about ongoing research and personal and professional development, always striving to improve the way we approach mental health support in our communities.
Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley, Person of Significant Control, Business Co-ordinator and Peer-mentoring Co-ordinator.
I am Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley. I am a 26-year-old who has faced and overcome significant challenges in life, shaping my understanding of resilience and empathy. As the eldest sister of Vladimir, who sadly passed away in May 2024 under deeply painful circumstances, I carry forward his memory and mission through assisting with the creation of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC. My lived experiences include navigating profound mental health struggles, addiction, and the effects of bipolar disorder, all of which stem from enduring severe trauma, including early-life exploitation and abuse, as well as domestic violence. These experiences have profoundly influenced our team's collective commitment to offering compassionate support to those who feel unheard or marginalised.
Despite these personal adversities, I’ve cultivated a strong professional foundation across various sectors. At just 18, I became an Executive Officer for Governance and Secretariat sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
I’ve worked in civil and family courts, formalising judicial orders, and as a Learning Support Assistant I’ve helped individuals with cognitive and developmental differences navigate their education and personal growth. My voluntary role at a residential alcohol service provided me with firsthand experience in supporting individuals battling addiction. I also hold a Level 2 Introduction to Counselling certificate and a Level 3 Certificate in Criminology, both of which have strengthened my ability to provide informed and empathetic support.
The establishment of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC reflects our team's collective response to the issues we have encountered personally and professionally. We are deeply passionate about creating inclusive support systems that prioritise empathy and understanding. Through counselling, peer-mentoring, and outreach, we aim to foster safe spaces where individuals can heal and thrive. Our goal is to address mental health, addiction, and trauma in ways that empower and uplift, ensuring that even the most vulnerable feel supported without fear of stigma or judgment. By sharing our journey in a thoughtful, sensitive manner, we hope to inspire hope and connection in others navigating their own challenges.
Graham Caisley, Operations Manager.
I’m Graham Caisley, and I’m the Operations Manager at V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, a role that allows me to combine my passion for supporting vulnerable individuals with my experience in community service. Before joining V.L.A.D., I worked as a coordinator at The Art House café, where I helped create a welcoming, inclusive space for local people. I also have extensive experience as a community childminder, running an Ofsted-registered home that provided a safe space for highly vulnerable young people, including those referred by social services. These roles have given me valuable skills in logistics, coordination, and creating environments where people, particularly young people, can feel safe and supported.
My background in community childminding has been particularly formative. In this role, I offered a secure and nurturing space for children in need, and I was dedicated to ensuring that every young person had the opportunity to thrive despite their circumstances. Working with vulnerable children has deepened my understanding of the importance of providing both emotional and practical support, and this is something I continue to prioritise in my role at V.L.A.D. Outreach. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that focuses on helping those who are most in need, particularly young people facing adversity.
I’m especially driven by a personal passion to make a difference, as I am a bereaved parent. The loss of my son has shaped the way I approach my work and fuels my dedication to V.L.A.D. Outreach. I see my involvement in the organisation as a way to honour his legacy—ensuring that the charity continues to provide critical support to vulnerable individuals in our community. Every day, I’m motivated by the opportunity to create positive change and offer a lifeline to those who need it most.
Masha Radakovic Nikolin Caisley, Publicity Officer.
I am a Learning Support Assistant in Special Education, as well as a volunteer for V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals who face mental health challenges, social isolation, and barriers to care. This company is a legacy to my brother, Vladimir, who struggled with social isolation, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm, and FND (functional neurological disorder) which resulted in Vlad taking his own life at only 17. His life and loss fuels my deep passion for helping others who have been overlooked by support structures, and those who have been let down by mental health services.
As well as my personal connection to the cause, I myself have battled with my own mental health - and have been let down in the past by exhausted and limited mental health support services in the UK. Throughout my job working in special education, I work with children who themselves face many barriers in their life, and have witnessed first-hand how being a listening ear, or someone to talk to can in turn make a difference in the lives of those who come from
marginalised communities.
These experiences, for different reasons, have created a passion for me to support those from marginalised communities with their mental health- as there are so many individuals in our society who experience barriers in their life, yet are stuck with long waiting lists and high costs for therapy. I am proud to be a part of V.L.A.D. Outreach CIC, to create a space where help is available to those who need it. Most importantly, this CIC allows for us to remember our dear Vlad, as well as to prevent what happened to him happening to others.