Meet our Founder
DR RACHEL V. GOW, CPsychol, FHEA, RNUTR,
CHARTERED PSYCHOLOGIST | CHILD NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST | NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENTIST | FOUNDER & TRUSTEE, NUTRITIOUS MINDS TRUST CHARITY
Nutritious Minds Trust was born from my own personal journey as a mother, a journey that profoundly shaped both my professional career and my determination to make a difference in the lives of others. As a young, first-time mother raising a son with ADHD and dyslexia, I experienced first-hand the challenges of navigating a world that did not always understand or accommodate neurodevelopmental differences. At the time, awareness of ADHD was considerably less widespread than it is today. Misunderstanding, judgement and stigma were common, and accessing appropriate educational support could feel like an endless battle.
I remember the frustrations, the obstacles and the overwhelming responsibility of advocating for my child. Yet, along the way, I encountered extraordinary people who offered kindness, guidance and encouragement. They helped me navigate the complexities of special educational needs, educational statements (now Education, Health and Care Plans), and tribunals. Their support made an enormous difference, and I never forgot it.
My academic journey
Those experiences inspired me to return to education as a mature student in my twenties. I embarked on a 14-year academic journey studying psychology, neuroscience and nutrition, driven by a desire to better understand the developing brain and the factors that influence learning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and cognitive health. My academic journey eventually led me to complete a PhD in Child Neuropsychology at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, followed by postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health in the United States.
Throughout my research and clinical work, I became increasingly interested in the relationship between nutrition, brain function and neurodevelopment. I wanted to understand not simply the challenges associated with ADHD and related conditions, but how we could better support individuals to flourish. However, my experiences as a mother remained at the heart of everything I did.
I knew that many other families were facing similar struggles, often without the financial resources, professional knowledge or support networks needed to navigate them. I wanted to create something that would make this journey easier for others.
From a Personal Vision to a Registered Charity
In 2017, I established Nutritious Minds Trust with a vision of creating a supportive, inclusive community where children, young people and families could access information, guidance and opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their reach. My ambition was to bring together science, education, nutrition, creativity and community support under one umbrella. I wanted children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental differences to be recognised not simply for the challenges they experienced, but for their individual strengths, talents and potential.
I also wanted to address the inequalities that prevent many families from accessing timely assessments, appropriate educational provision and evidence-based support. Over the following years, Nutritious Minds Trust developed through community events, educational initiatives, professional collaborations, fundraising and the generosity of individuals who shared our vision. A significant milestone came on 23 January 2024, when Nutritious Minds Trust was officially registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, becoming registered charity number 1206658.
Receiving charitable status represented the culmination of years of determination and hard work, but it also marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Today, our mission continues to grow. Through our community support groups, educational programmes, brain health events, creative initiatives and assistance with diagnostic assessments, we strive to make meaningful support more accessible to those who need it most. Our work is underpinned by the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to develop their potential, regardless of their diagnosis, background or financial circumstances.
About Dr Rachel V. Gow
Dr Rachel V. Gow is a Chartered Psychologist, Child Neuropsychologist, Nutritional Neuroscientist and Registered Nutritionist (Science), with an extensive background in academic research, higher education and neurodevelopment. She completed her PhD in Child Neuropsychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, before undertaking postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health in the United States between 2012 and 2016.
Her research interests encompass ADHD, neurodevelopment, nutritional neuroscience, nutritional psychiatry, brain health and the relationship between nutrition, cognition, behaviour and mental wellbeing. Rachel has authored more than 20 scientific publications and is the author of Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health (2021), published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Alongside her research, she has extensive experience teaching psychology, neuroscience and nutritional medicine in higher education. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and currently holds a Lectureship in Psychology at City St George’s, University of London.
Her professional work brings together scientific research, education, clinical understanding and lived experience, with a particular emphasis on translating scientific knowledge into practical, accessible information for individuals, families and communities.
Rachel is also the Founder of Nutritious Minds Clinic and Nutritious Minds Podcast, initiatives that bring together multidisciplinary expertise and provide further opportunities for education, professional collaboration and conversations around brain health and neurodivergence. Through her work, she continues to advocate for greater understanding of neurodevelopmental differences, improved access to support and a more inclusive approach to health and education.
Looking to the future
When I first established Nutritious Minds Trust, I had ambitious dreams about the difference we could make. Those dreams remain as important to me today as they were in 2017. I have also learned that building a charity requires extraordinary perseverance. Funding is often limited, resources are stretched, and there is always more that we would like to achieve.
But I have never lost sight of why I started.
Every family we support, every child who receives an opportunity they might otherwise have missed, and every individual who feels less alone or more understood reminds me of the importance of this work. My greatest hope is that Nutritious Minds Trust continues to grow into a lasting community of support, bringing together individuals, families, researchers, educators, practitioners and organisations who share our commitment to improving lives.
I am immensely grateful to our trustees, volunteers, supporters, professional collaborators and everyone who has contributed to our journey. Together, we can continue to challenge stigma, remove barriers, celebrate neurodivergent strengths and create opportunities for individuals to flourish. Because every mind matters, and every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive.