About us
PAR was originally formed as the public aspect of the CDPRG's psilocybin rescheduling project and now exists as an aligned but separate volunteer group focused on reducing barriers to safe public access to psilocybin, and driving public awareness of the benefits of psychedelic medicines.
Our current aim is the movement of psilocybin from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. We are calling on the government to reschedule psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms", to make it accessible for medical and scientific research, and for doctors to prescribe to patients who may benefit. This could lead to the development of new therapies, reducing the suffering of many people with conditions that currently have limited and inadequate treatment options.
The evidence emerging in favour of the use of psilocybin in medicine and psychotherapy represents hope for millions suffering from conditions as varied as depression, addiction, anorexia and even the pain of cluster headaches. We want scientific investigation to be able to continue, in hope, unhindered by the outdated stigmas that surround psychedelic medicines and sadly dictate our drug laws today; in regard to psychedelics our laws are based on nothing more than a quirk of history.
Since launching our campaign in August 2022, we have petitioned the government (11,000 people signed this petition), we have run the UK's first ad campaign asking people to consider whether "magic mushrooms could be medicine" and have run events that have enlisted more than a thousand people to sign letters and postcards to their MPs.
We are, in essence, an activist group that not only aims to spread hope about the potential benefits of psilocybin for those that are suffering, but believes that access to this medicine should be considered a civil rights issue.
Our team of volunteers is committed to addressing all barriers in the way of what we believe is the publics' right to safe access to psilocybin. If you too believe that scientists should be allowed to follow the science and that people in the UK should have legal pathways to access psilocybin, please join us!
Meet the team
Tara Austin
Campaign Director
Tara, a psychedelic medicine advocate since 2015, co-founded PAR in 2022 to improve therapy access. As a Partner at Ogilvy Behavioural Science Practice, she works with top clients and hosts Nudgestock, a leading behavioural science and creativity festival.
Harry Lancaster
Operations Manager
Harry is a lawyer who, after a sojourn in startups and teaching, came back to the profession because of his interest in psychedelics for mental health and a desire to help remove legal barriers to researching them.
Yannis Takousis
IT and Analytics Manager
Having found healing through psilocybin Yannis joined PAR to help others find access to these life changing medicines. He is also the founder of psychedelicsociety.gr and volunteers for Psycare UK.
Basak Kotler
Treasurer
Quitting a long career in finance and getting involved in charitable work with disadvantaged young people, Basak had firsthand experience of a system that denies underprivileged families access to much needed mental health services. Basak lends her support to PAR.Global to raise and manage funds that will future-proof the campaign.
Rosie Connors
Events Manager
With a background in health and social care, Rosie was disheartened by the overprescription of antidepressants without addressing depression's root causes. She joined PAR to champion better treatment options, educate the public on psilocybin's therapeutic benefits, and align public perception with up-to-date scientific evidence.
Timmy Davis
Policy Director
Timmy is the Psilocybin Rescheduling Project manager at the CDPRG and a trainee at the Site for Contemporary Psychoanalysis.
Yuli Gates
Design Director
A self-taught artist with roots from the USSR to Berlin, now flourishing in the UK. At PAR, Yuli merges a passion for psychedelics with design, aiming to reshape perceptions amidst a global mental health crisis. Volunteering at PsyCare UK and infusing art with psychedelic themes, Yuli believes in art's power to instigate positive change.
Joseph Aquilina
Content Creator
A neurodiversity specialist, joined PAR to promote improved mental health treatments. Using art and music, he advocates for the therapeutic use of psilocybin, bridge public understanding with current science, and champion harm reduction, in support of my creative peers navigating mental health challenges.
Josh Dugdale
Knower of people
Reggie the Frenchie
Legend
The unsung hero at PAR. With a nose for detail and ears that miss nothing, he ensures every plan is sniffed out to perfection. Don't be fooled by his small stature; he's a powerhouse when it comes to morale. If you find a drool mark on your documents, know it has the Reggie seal of approval.
Angus Champion de Crespigny
Strategy Director
Angus is a consultant with 15 years experience advising multinational businesses, regulators, and policymakers. He has also previously served as the CTO of CT Group, a leading campaigns, intelligence and advisory organisation. Having directly experienced the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating his depression, he is an advocate for evidence based reform.
Nicholas Moore
Communications Director
Nicholas is a communications consultant who, having experienced first-hand the failings of the UK mental healthcare system, is committed to opening up access to viable treatment options for others who are suffering from treatable mental health issues.
Himesh Mehta
Volunteer
Himesh is a PhD researcher at the University of Warwick studying the history of psychedelic drugs in Britain.
Batuhan Bintas
Pirate Extraordinaire
Joe Vaughan
Doer of things
