Our staff and trustees

Zoe provides strategic leadership, ensures financial sustainability and supports the staff team.

Zoe leads on our policy and campaign work  and is our media spokesperson .

Julie leads on researching, developing, influencing and securing new funding to help sustain the organisation and its projects.

Sam leads on the delivery of our policy and communications strategy ensuring the views and issues important to people with a learning disability are heard.

Kai manages our website and social media, edits our e-newsletter Llais Update, and helps our members with information enquiries.

Kai is also works for our Gig Buddies Cymru project.  Kai promotes the project and assists in the projects development.

Laura manages on the promotion, delivery and development of our Easy Read Service to ensure information is accessible for people with a learning disability.

Inacia writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Rhian and Julie to help run our Easy Read Service.

Julie writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Rhian and Inacia to help run our Easy Read Service.

Rhian writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Julie and Inacia to help run our Easy Read Service.

Angela is our Engage to Change  Project Manager responsible for the management, monitoring and all public relations for the project’s work.

Gerraint promotes the Engage to Change project by talking to young people and their carers and potential employers and taking part in digital media.   He also supports project Champions and partners.

Simon manages supporting our networks and leads on the delivery of our events and training.

Iwan supports the team with administering our events and marketing and promoting our work and services.  He also ensures our continual engagement with our members, supporters and stakeholders.

Lucy supports the team with developing, organising and promoting our events and networking activity.  Lucy runs our bookings and looks after our speakers and facilitators.

Karen leads on exploring opportunities for developing new projects.  She manages several areas within our 21^St Century People project, as well as our personalised technology community of practice, and developing work from our European LoveLife project.

Karen also manages the Gig Buddies Cymru project, which recently expanded into North Wales and Swansea Neath Port Talbot.

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Kylie is Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in South Wales.  Kylie promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers.

Sian is Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in North Wales.  Sian promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers.

John is Volunteer Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in North Wales.  John recruits, supports and develops our volunteers experience.

Danielle is Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in Swansea Neath Port Talbot.  Danielle promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers.

Emma  provides administrative support to the team and assists with events and communications support for the Gig Buddies Cymru Project.

Jo makes sure that our staff are treated fairly, we have the right policies in place and we strive for continual improvement as an employer. Jo advises the CEO and managers on human resources and governance issues, leads on staff and trustee recruitment, and works with the Chair to ensure of Board of Trustees operates effectively and in line with legal requirements.

Julie provides administrative support to the team, helps  run the office and leads on the ongoing development of our systems and processes to improve the way we work.      

Zhanar manages the monitoring and maintenance of accurate financial and accounting procedures so that the organisation is well run financially and complies with funders, charity and company law requirements.

Nicola is responsible for the day to day running of finance related tasks and assists our Finance Manager so that the organisation is well run financially and complies with funders, charity and company law requirements.

Michael helps us keep our offices clean and tidy.

Tracy’s first career was an equestrian one. Whilst working as Chief Instructor at a Riding for the Disabled centre she became curious about ‘what makes people tick’, and this has been a theme for the rest of her working life!

Tracy lives in Harlech and holds level 7 qualifications in management and equality, diversity and inclusion.  She has worked with people with learning disabilities for approx. 30 years.  She has held a variety of roles throughout her career and is currently Research and Innovation Director for KeyRing where she has worked for many years. Other roles have included outreach, business development, engagement, communication, and marketing.

Tracy has a particular interest in support for people with learning disabilities who find themselves in the Criminal Justice System and is passionate about getting the stories of people who have been poorly served by the system into the domain of decision makers.

What being a trustee means to me

I am passionate about the rights and lives of people with learning disabilities and having worked in charities for over two decades, I know the difference a good board can make! Learning Disability Wales has an ambitious vision, and I am honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with like-minded people.

Steve has recently retired as Chief Executive Officer for Perthyn and has been a trustee since 2010.

Steve has held a number of senior positions in organisations working in the social care sector. Particular skills he brings to Learning Disability Wales are financial management, administration and strategic planning.

Richard has worked in the care sector since 1996. His previous roles have included Support Worker, Registered Manage, Regional Manager, managing a social enterprise café providing training, Shared Lives service manager and currently is the Head of Quality and Compliance at Ategi.

Richard has held management roles since 2004. He has also delivered various training subjects to equip employees with the knowledge and skills to undertake their roles effectively.

Richard has worked with various client groups including people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, people with mental ill health and older people to name a few.

Richard has a passion for providing outstanding care and support and strives to embed his strong values and work practices within the services he is involved in to ensure that people live their best lives, their way!
Richard holds continuous improvement at the forefront of all he does.

What being a trustee means to me

Since I started my career in care in my (late) teens I have always held close my values of supporting people to maintain as much choice, control, autonomy and independence as possible. The role of Trustee means that I can share my passion and commitment to ensuring my values and voices of people with a disability are central to any support provision.

It is a privilege and an honour to be elected as a trustee at Learning Disability Wales.

Jonathan worked in the Social Care field for over 30 years in different settings across Wales.

Jonathan started his career in direct care and support working with adults with a learning disability. Working in the delivery of care and support has been invaluable in understanding the key challenges and opportunities people see and ‘what matters’ for them.

Until recently he was the Transformation Director for Children and Adult Social Care in Welsh Government. Prior to this role he was the Director of Social Services for Pembrokeshire County Council and a former President of the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru from April 2021.

Jonathan is passionate about the opportunity for positive change and innovation and by working collaboratively with people, communities and other agencies to promote independence and wellbeing.

What being a trustee means to me

I am very pleased to be joining as a Trustee at Learning Disability Wales and am looking forward to working with the organisation and everyone involved in making Wales ‘the best country in the world for people with a learning disability to live, learn, love and work’.  I hope I can bring my experience to the trustee role and stand collectively to uphold and protect the rights for adults with a learning disability.

Claire is the Chief executive of Anheddau Cyf a supported living provider based in North Wales.

Having started in her late teens as a Support Worker; in the very organisation where she is now the CEO.

Claire has worked for over 30 years to attain the qualifications to lead and transform services.  Claire has a BSC in Health and Social Care, is Qualified Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Practitioner, and  has extensive experience of managing a large complex Social Services Department before returning to work in Anheddau.

Claire’s heart has always been in finding solutions to enable people to live their most active and enriched life.

With a track record for dealing with difficult situations Claire thrives on finding solutions and always keeps people’s wants and needs at the centre of everything she does, and is very excited about having the opportunity to help influence positive changes in the lives of people with a learning  disability.

What being a trustee means to me

Since starting my career as a support some 30 years ago ensuring the rights of people with a Learning Disability has always been critical to me as an individual. Having often been the lone voice in senior meetings being a trustee gives me the opportunity to be with like minded individuals ensuring that the voice and choice of individuals are at the heart of all decisions. It’s an absolute privilege to be a trustee.

Nadine’s inspiration is her son Tommy. At the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Autism and later Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities.  Nadine says – “as a parent of a child with significant needs, I found myself completely thrown in at the deep end with very little support. After a steep learning curve in 2010, I founded the charity The Autism Directory, now known as Autistic Minds, with the mission to help autistic individuals and their families get the help they need”.

In her professional life, Nadine has 40 years of experience in business management and consulting, having worked with Accenture and the senior management teams of some of the major blue-chip companies in the UK, including BT, Prudential and Pfizer. For 4 years Nadine also held a directorship for a London-based consultancy, and continues to run her own business today. Her expertise is in developing people and business through the management of change; whether that is business change in terms of the people, processes and technology that’s required to meet an organisation’s goals, or the change needed to improve someone’s overall experience of life.

As an accredited Coach, Trainer and NLP Master Practitioner, Nadine helps people from a range of backgrounds to achieve their personal and business goals, and as a result to live happier, more balanced and fulfilled lives.

What being a trustee means to me

Being a Trustee of Learning Disability Wales allows me the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience from my life bringing up my son, and navigating the systems and organisations needed to secure his needs for the rest of his life.  Also to use my business and the third sector experience for the benefit of all those the charity supports.

Georgia is  looking forward to sharing her own valuable insights of having a learning disability while equally making sure other people with learning disability experiences are highlighted and included in conversations.

Georgia says – “my lived experience of having both a learning disability and neurodivergence means I know first-hand the obstacles and barriers I and other individuals with a learning disability face in our daily lives. I know that having a learning disability means we are far too often left out of important and valuable discussions and conversations that surround our needs, and we are often given minimal input and say into decisions that involve and impacts our lives and future. I hope I can bring awareness of the positive and negative experiences that comes along with having a learning disability while also being able to help shape and make positive impactful changes in all areas of our lives”.

What being a trustee means to me

I am honoured to have been selected as a trustee of such an incredible organisation Learning Disability Wales.  As a trustee it is important to me that I am giving a voice to a diverse range of people with a learning disability, and this will be at the heart of what I do to make everybody everywhere will be more inclusive for all disabled people thanks you for this fantastic opportunity.

Ramona is the Service Manager for the lifespan Disabilities Service for her Local Authority. She has worked with and for people with learning disabilities for almost 40 years and has worked in a variety of roles within Social Care over that period, including direct care services and Social Work. Ramona qualified as a Social Worker in 2000 completing a Diploma in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She also qualified as a Best Interests Assessor in 2016. Throughout her career Ramona has listened to the people she delivers support for and hopes that this is reflected in the way services have been developed and delivered.

What being a trustee means to me

The rights of a person with a learning disability to live an ordinary life in their community, with equal opportunities and respect as others, to have a voice and be listened to, are the values I hold dear. After so many years I am looking forward to retirement, but I wish to maintain my involvement in hopefully improving the lives of people with a learning disability and their carer’s, but also my connections with the wonderful people I have worked with for so many years. Learning Disability Wales is an organisation I have great respect for and mirrors my values and passion. I am delighted to be invited to be part of this organisation as a Trustee.

Adele  embarked on a career training to teach adults with a learning disability during the implementation of the All Wales Strategy, in the late 80’s.

After briefly working with and receiving training from the newly formed Challenging Behaviour Team, she assumed the role of Peripatetic Instructor with the Community Team for Learning Disabilities in Llanelli.

Parenting and advocating for her third child, who is learning disabled, has been her most significant learning curve. Through this journey, she has developed a deep understanding of the importance of the social model of disability and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRDP). Now completely convinced for the necessity of inclusive education, as described in the UNCRDP.

Driven by her own experiences of isolation, Adele founded an online peer support group for parent carers called ‘Joining the Dots’. This platform provides a space where parent carers can seek and offer support to one another.

Adele has dedicated her time to volunteering and co-production with numerous groups and boards, such as Swansea Co-production Network, Swansea Parent Carer Forum, West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales Adult Advisory Panel, and Human Rights Stakeholder Group for Wales.

What being a trustee means to me

I am incredibly excited to support Learning Disability Wales in driving change for future generations of learning disabled children and young people. I firmly believe that inclusive education is the key to making this vision a reality.

Sana is a Family Support worker at EYST (Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales). Sana comes from an Asian background and recognises that disabilities and learning disabilities have often been stigmatized in some households.

Sana’s mission is to raise awareness and provide resources to diverse communities, empowering families to seek proper care and support at the right time. Sana wants to help create a more inclusive society that values and serves all its members.

What being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales means to me

I look forward to collaborating and contributing to the impactful work of Learning Disability Wales.

James is on the Board of Directors for All Wales People First and the West Wales Partnership Board.

James is employed as Accessible Health Check Champion for Pembrokeshire working alongside Champions in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.   He also volunteers for a learning disabilities media project called Barod Media on their podcasts and Easy Read news reels.

James has been a member of many boards in Wales being a voice for people with Learning disabilities, these include:

• Member and Chair of Pembrokeshire Peoples First for 6 years
• Chair of Pembrokeshire Partnership Board.
• Member of the National Council for All Wales People First
• Member of the Dream Team -a group of people with learning Disabilities from Ceredigion Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Working together to change the way local authorities work

James has also worked for Barod CIC helping with ‘Assist My Life’ an  app to help people be more independent when out in the community.

What being a trustee means to me

For me being a trustee means I can get to know the staff and make new friends, learn how the organisation works and make new connections with other members who are part of  the projects and also the campaigning side will show me what other people in Wales want to see better in the future.  I am looking forward to working with you.

After studying Criminology and getting my degree, Lynne tells us she struggled getting her dream job in youth offending. Lynne say: “I’d been a sessional and reparational worker for a few months but nothing permanent. That’s when I fell into social care. I’ve now worked for Pobl for just over 20 years, starting from an assistant support worker on the Abergavenny peripatetic team, gaining experience in all roles, progressing into management that lead me to my role as inclusion and assistive technology officer today.

I’ve always been passionate about enabling people to live their best lives, thinking outside of the norm and challenging barriers and ideologies. I love that I am able to give individuals a voice and finding technologies that enhance their lives so they can live them to their potential. My greatest achievement so far has been enabling a young person to be skilled and confident enough to leave 24/7 supported living to live independently in the town they had always wanted to live in with no paid support any longer.

What being a Trustee means to me

Being part of Learning Disability Wales is exciting. It gives me an opportunity to be a part of supporting others to achieve aspirations and watch how initiatives develop. From being in social care it has given me great insight into the challenges of today for people with a learning disability and being part of the trustees allows me to advocate and hearing the voice of those with a disability.

Ann is a volunteer for Your Voice Advocacy helping to run social events and supporting others to take part.

Ann is a trainer, she’s completed the ‘train the trainer’ course and holds the Paul Ridd award for delivering training independently.

Ann has delivered training on learning disability and marriage and learning disability awareness for healthcare professionals.  Ann also volunteers with the Ambulance service and gives presentations to learning disability groups.

What being a trustee means to me

Being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales is important to me as I want to give people with a learning disability a voice.  It is also important to me that easy read information is available to everyone with a learning disability.

Stephen is a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Lead in Learning Disability Employment at the National Centre for Mental Health at Cardiff University. Stephen has been a researcher in the field of learning disabilities for more than 30 years carrying out research on policy and social care services. His research has always emphasised finding practical solutions that enhance the quality of life of people with a learning disability. More recently he has worked on supported employment to help people gain paid work, and also to understand best practice in helping young people with a learning disability transition from education to adult life. In all of this Stephen has focused on evidence-base best practice and on “what works”.

What being an Adviser means to me

I am very pleased to be an Adviser to Learning Disability Wales. This is a time of great opportunity for people with a learning disability but there are also major threats to their services, their independence and their health. I am honoured to be able to contribute to Learning Disability Wales’ work  as an evidence-based organisation and to help them address the rights of people with a learning disability.

Kathryn is Programme Manager for the North Wales Learning Disability Transformation programme. She began working with people with Learning Disabilities in 1990. Her first role was as a Job Coach helping people with a learning disability learn how to do jobs like photocopying, office work and other tasks. She qualified as a Social worker in 1995 and began work with the Learning Disabilities Team in Rhyl. She remained with that team until 2019, firstly as a community social worker, then undertaking resettlement from Bryn Y Neuadd hospital in the early 2000s, and finally progressing to Senior Practitioner and Team Manager. She is seconded from that team to manage the North Wales LD Transformation programme and is currently working with citizens, families, local authority and BCUHB partners to implement the North Wales Learning Disability Strategy.

What being an Adviser means to me

In North Wales we have a Learning Disability Strategy. People with Learning Disabilities have told us what is important to them. They want good homes, relationships, jobs, good physical and mental health and the chance to be a part of their communities. I am very lucky to be part of the team and wider community whose job it is to embed these rights and coproduce solutions. Being part of Learning Disability Wales fills me with great pride. I see it as an honour to be part of an organisation whose role it is to further the rights and interests of people with Learning Disabilities within Wales, on the national stage and beyond.