Meet the Team

 Hi, I’m Fern (She/Her) – Co-founder and Director of Rainbow Families Yorkshire.

Together with my incredible partner and best friend Sasha, I founded Rainbow Families Yorkshire (RFY) in 2023. We created it out of a simple need: to find a support network for LGBTQ+ families like ours – and when we couldn’t find one, we decided to build it.

Sasha and I met in 2018, became best friends, and a year later, fell in love. Six months into dating, I packed up my life – job, home, and dog – and moved to Manchester to start a new chapter with her.

Starting a family was something we both wanted deeply, but we each faced fertility challenges that made the journey more complex. After a few difficult attempts, I convinced Sasha that we should try together – and in a beautiful twist of fate, we both fell pregnant within months of each other.

In 2021, we moved to my hometown of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, to be closer to our families. A couple of years later, we launched RFY with the goal of offering the kind of community and connection we had once searched for.

Today, I’m incredibly proud of the diverse, vibrant families who are part of Rainbow Families Yorkshire. We've made wonderful friendships and seen just how powerful shared experience can be.

If you’re looking for support, community, or just someone who understands – we’re here. Whether you’re starting your parenting journey, expanding your family, or just navigating life as an LGBTQ+ parent or carer, RFY is your space too.

Let’s show the world that love makes a family – no matter how that family is formed.

Hi,  Sasha here (She/her) Stem, I'm the other Co-founder and a Director of Rainbow Families Yorkshire CIC. As Fern said RFY was set up to help other LGBTQ+ families that are experiencing loneliness, isolation and as a result, poor mental health. Since RFY started I can honestly say as a family and as an individual I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. Meeting new people at events and seeing returning faces is amazing. I see new friendships forming between adults and I see our children playing together and I couldn't be more proud of what we are achieving together. A major factor for me is that our boys will have such a diverse group of friends, they are going to grow up with acceptance in their hearts and understand that no matter how a family is made up, we are all valid. Alongside my full time job with the ambulance service, raising two toddlers and just day to day life it can get pretty hectic but I wouldn't change a thing. We have so many plans for the group and I hope everyone can get involved along the way. Please do come to us if you need support or have any suggestions about what we can do to make our group better. Hope to see you at an event soon.   

Hi, We're Cain and Matt. Gay dads to our two adoptive children. We've been together since just before the pandemic and married in secret December 2023. We knew each other beforehand after meeting at Gran Canaria pride (Yumbo for a Sambuca, anyone?) At the time I was living overseas and Cain was rightly never going to leave Yorkshire, so we kept it to drinking wine and long chats and putting the world to rights.

We reconnected and started dating long distance (Dubai to Ossett) in 2019.

On our first date we had some serious questions for each other about our plans for the future. Perhaps it's that we're a little bit older but, as Cain said at the time, " If you didn't want kids, there probably wouldn't have been a second date." 

 After 5 trips back to the UK and just when Cain was planning to fly to Dubai, Covid came along. I worked as a Pilot at the time and we were tested after every flight. I was a very early inductee to the Covid club and couldnt leave the country again for 5 months. When I finally got out of Covid jail I had decided to pack up, change careers and head back to be with Cain. We moved in together during Covid 2.0 and we haven't looked back. 

 After three years of living together we decided to take the plunge and begin our adoption journey which culminated 6 months ago with our own little family coming home. We are a really open minded pair of gay dads and love being a part of the wider community of the rainbow. We cannot wait to meet you all again soon!

Hi, I’m Jay-cee (he/him), 30 years young.

In 2015, I came out as transgender (FTM). Since then, I’ve had top surgery, started testosterone in 2018, and I’m currently on the waiting list for bottom surgery. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had strong support from family and friends — but I know not everyone is met with that same level of love and acceptance.

That’s why I want to be that support for others. If you're going through your own journey — coming out, transitioning, questioning, or just needing someone in your corner — I’m here. Think of me as your fairy godfather. 🪄✨

Now, let me tell you about my person — Cait (she/her), 25, pansexual.
We became best friends in 2015 and shared a deep connection from the start. In November 2020, our paths finally aligned, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. She’s my heart, my home, and the love of my life. We  married in April 2025, and we’re raising the most handsome little boy together — with plans to grow our family even more.

Together, we’ve built a safe, loving home. And now, we want to open that space to you — to anyone who needs love, support, advice, or just someone to talk to.

No matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, and you’re welcome here exactly as you are.

Let’s build this rainbow family, hand in hand. 🌈💛
If you ever need a chat, a shoulder, or a cheerleader — we’re here.

Hi, I'm Sam (She/Her) and I live with my daughter in Wakefield. I made the decision to use a donor whilst flying single solo. I had previously tried for a family with my ex fiancé which did not work out. Thankfully I was offered the chance to become a mum through a donor I trusted and incredibly found myself pregnant first time round. After years of failed relationships and multiple attempts at being a mum, it was finally my turn! The love I have for my Daughter outweighs any relationship. 

 As a sociable person, still finding herself, I want to be someone others feel they can reach out to and chat about anything. I have had a battling time before becoming a mum and even now. I became a mum through Covid, homelessness and Studying for a degree. All this has made me the person I am today. I want to be able to offer support, advice and a safe ear to others. I struggled alone for a long time time and I never want others to feel like that. x  

Hi, I’m Jessie 

Two years ago, I swapped Dudlaaaaay for Sheffield to dive headfirst into family life with my brilliant civil partner and her equally brilliant daughter (now 10). Since then, we’ve added one more to the crew—our cheeky little whirlwind who just turned one. Life’s loud, messy, and absolutely perfect.

I’ve spent the past five years working in the charity sector, mostly with young people in cadet settings. I believe every young person—and every grown-up who missed out—deserves the chance to connect, explore, and feel at home in a space that celebrates who they are.

As a director, I’m here to help build those spaces: playful, welcoming, and full of possibility. Whether it’s muddy boots, shared stories, or belly laughs around a campfire, I’m all in.