With a lifelong career in education, Gill began as an English teacher before becoming a SENCO, supporting students with additional needs in mainstream schools. Now retired, she continues to work as a SEN advisor, helping schools improve their provision for learners with SEND. Passionate about the transformative power of education, she is dedicated to ensuring every young person has the support they need to succeed.  

Experience and Skill Set

Former Co-Director of own business, Sales & Marketing, Accounts, Governance, Personal Experience of Autism and other Special Needs.

About Me

I have a background in sales & marketing before becoming a co-director of my own business, a position I held for around 20 years. During my time as a Company Director, my main focus was on the financial side of the business, as well as HR and general communication with clients and suppliers.  I have been a Trustee for ChAPS for over 9 years and have seen the charity grow and develop from a grass roots charity to what it is today.  I also have a son with a range of additional needs.

Motivation

I strongly believe that getting appropriate support can have a hugely positive impact on the lives of autistic individuals and their families.  Through my work as a Trustee, I help to ensure that ChAPS offers the highest level of support to the autistic community across Cheshire, enabling each individual to reach their full potential.

Experience & skillset:  

I have 10 years' experience spanning across hospitality management, corporate fraud investigation and civil service. I have a bachelor's degree in criminology and a master's degree in clinical counselling. I sought to become a counsellor to enable people to enable themselves. 

About me: 

I am a positive and reliable individual, I enjoy wild swimming, spending time with friends, cooking, looking after my allotment, seeing new places and meeting new people. I have always loved to listen and learn; I believe everyone has a little magic to add to a sometimes scary and uncertain world.

Motivation:

 For me, both roles of Trustee and Counsellor, involve looking after the charity and its members. Ensuring the relevant support is available and nurturing the charity’s vision.

Experience & skillset:

FCCA qualified. I also have a HND in mechanical engineering.

About me:

I started my career in Mechanical Engineering for which I obtained an HND. I have a passion for all things technical and I like physics and maths. I am an FCCA qualified accountant with 25 years’ experience. I have my own clients for which I produce Company Accounts and Company Tax Returns etc. I also do Self Assessments and Payroll, so could be considered a bit of an all-rounder.  I am also the Financial Director of the family business. We are quite a diverse company and do anything from window cleaning to prison cell and trauma cleans including first response. 

Motivation:

I have a passion for understanding how things work and how to make things more efficient. I like to solve problems and work well as part of a team, although happy to work on my own too. I have two sons - one is autistic, so I understand the need for support for children and adults who struggle. I think this first-hand experience can help with my understanding of special needs which gives me a different perspective.

James has spent the last 10 years working in the charity, sport and physical activity sector with a focus on giving people opportunities to get active especially with those who may benefit the most. 

This started by working in prisons and young offender's institutes as a Sport and Enrichment Coordinator. This work included working with Sporting Governing Bodies, volunteering groups and local sports clubs among others to give people opportunities in prison and ‘through the gate’ in the community. 

James now works for parkrun as their UK Health and Wellbeing Manager and leads their junior parkrun work including a project supported by The London Marathon Foundation to grow and diversity participation. Currently junior parkrun delivers over 450 free weekly 2k events in the UK which sees an average of 20,000 children and young people take part every Sunday. 

James has a passion for sharing the positive impact physical activity can have on the whole community.