Introducing: Alicia Billing

Growing up, I never went without. But I do remember that there was always a certain caution when it came to money. It existed in the background – the quiet calculations, the careful decisions, the sense that money mattered in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time.

Now, as an adult with a mortgage and bills to pay, I understand much more clearly the kind of stress that money can bring. That underlying pressure is something many people experience – and in 2026, it feels more widespread than ever.

Over the past few years, people have been stretched in ways many of us have never seen before. The aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, and wider economic uncertainty mean that for many households, earning a living isn’t about getting ahead – it’s about staying afloat.

At the same time, we’re facing a growing mental health crisis, with more people struggling than ever before. Yet mental health is often treated as an afterthought, even though everyone has it and – like physical health – it fluctuates throughout our lives, shaped by the pressures we face. Financial worries are one of the biggest drivers of that stress, yet the link between money and mental health still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to have joined the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute as the charity’s first Head of Fundraising.

I’ve spent the past ten years working in the charity sector, building partnerships and raising funds to support causes that make a real difference to people’s lives. During that time, I’ve had the privilege of working across a range of fundraising areas – from partnerships that generate vital unrestricted income – providing charities the flexibility to respond where need is greatest – to longer-term collaborations aimed at tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.

I’ve always been particularly passionate about partnerships that go beyond fundraising alone. When charities and organisations work together well, they can combine their different expertise, reach and capabilities to drive real change. Whether that’s improving services, influencing systems, or reaching people who might otherwise fall through the cracks, those collaborations can unlock solutions that neither sector could achieve alone.

That’s part of what drew me to Money and Mental Health. I’m particularly inspired by the work of their Mental Health Accessible programme, which takes a practical, consultancy-style approach by working directly with essential services firms to make their services more accessible to people experiencing mental health problems and to improve outcomes for them. 

Equally powerful is the Research Community, which ensures that everything the organisation does is rooted in the lived experience of people who understand these challenges first-hand. That commitment to listening to and learning from people’s real experiences is what gives the charity’s work its credibility and impact.

I’m joining Money and Mental Health at an exciting moment. This year marks the charity’s tenth anniversary – a chance to reflect on a decade of impact and progress, while recognising how much more there is still to do. 

The need for this work has never been clearer. But I’ve been warmed by the level of dedication of the team and the shared commitment to making a real difference for people experiencing the challenges of money and mental health problems.

I believe that by coming together and building strong relationships with funders, businesses and supporters, we can ensure the organisation has the resources it needs to achieve its mission: a world in which the vicious cycle of money and mental health problems is broken. 

I’m really looking forward to the journey ahead.