About us

Women are 3 times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems.

Founded by Devika Wood, a domestic abuse survivor, she experienced a huge problem that affects 1 in 3 women, in accessing mental health services and resources to help her rebuild her life after trauma. Devika went on to become Forbes 30u30 and an ambassador for the United Nations Women org. and joined forces with cofounder, Lydia McCartney, a leading globally recognised Somatic Psychotherapist to grow the platform supporting women around the world access mental health support, wherever they are on their journey.

Meet the women behind I Am Arla.

DEVIKA WOOD - Cofounder

Devika is a serial entrepreneur as the Founder of I AM ARLA and the Founder of Vida, which she founded at 26 and successfully exited 3 years later in 2019.  Vida is the “Uber for care” using technology in the elderly care space for which she raised over £6m in funding and pushed the company out to become one of the leading care-tech companies in the UK.

Devika used her platform to mentor young entrepreneurs and has an advisory role in multiple female founded start-ups in the UK alongside speaking on global panels about domestic abuse. As a survivor of domestic abuse, Devika realised the power of sharing her story and I AM ARLA was founded to destigmatize trauma and empower women by holding a safe space to share their lived experiences of trauma and healing. She’s been recognised through awards for her achievements including; being featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for healthcare and science, awarded ‘1 of 10 women changing the world’ by Glamour magazine and published in Cosmopolitan, the Telegraph and on the cover of Courier magazine. Devika was awarded "health tech pioneer" in Europe and Entrepreneur of the year award by King’s College London. She now works closely with the United Nations for women’s leadership after being the face of the ‘sheinnovates’ campaign. 

READ DEVIKA’S STORY


LYDIA MCCARTNEY - Cofounder

Passionate about facilitating transformative growth, Lydia is a Somatic Psychotherapist (MsC) and Trauma-Trained Coach with a background in the criminal justice system. Her brand, Self Love Lydia, focuses on empowering women authentically. Over the past five years, Lydia has guided women globally on a journey of self-discovery, specialising in trauma, body image, and self-connection.

Lydia has built successful holistic programs, established a thriving podcast, and cultivated a supportive community that nurtures safety and connection. As a speaker, Lydia sheds light on the vital importance of healing for women. She is the founder of impactful retreats and events that create immersive experiences, fostering empowerment through a reconnection with the body. Lydia invites you to connect and collaborate in the mission of empowering women to find internal safety, strength, and self-acceptance.