Meet the Team
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Ben has worked with adults with learning disabilities and autism for over 10 years. Ben previously managed a local music festival, he loves watching live music, and currently works with Britain's Got Talent's Lost Voice Guy as a PA.
Chantelle Richardson, Director
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Chantelle is a fashion print designer who has worked for brands such as Next, ASOS and River Island, and enjoys spending time with her younger brother, Ben.
Laura Brown, Director
Ben Tinkler, Managing Director
Rachel Somers, Director
Laura is our secret agent who works for a Durham-based intelligence firm. She also runs her own food blog Proper Scrumptious, and loves cooking and exploring the great outdoors with her dog, Jax.
Rachel Somers, Director
Rachel Somers, Director
Rachel Somers, Director
Rachel works with young children with additional needs in schools, and in her spare time, enjoys getting out and about with her family and two dogs, Milo and Roxy.
Dean Wyllie, Director
Rachel Somers, Director
Shaun Ridley, Director
Dean is new to our board and brings lived experience and some much-needed humour. Dean has excellent communication skills and we look forward to working closely with him in the future.
Shaun Ridley, Director
Rachel Somers, Director
Shaun Ridley, Director
Shaun is one of the new members of our board and is passionate about helping others and making sure people have the support they need. We look forward to having Shaun's direction in the team.
Hannah Booth, Volunteer
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
James Robinson, Fitness Instructor
When not volunteering, Hannah works as an intern at an international music organisation. As well as music, she loves making art and watching films with her family and cat, Juno.
James Robinson, Fitness Instructor
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
James Robinson, Fitness Instructor
James is one of our personal trainers, he loves seeing people improve their fitness and having a good laugh on our video calls. In his spare time you can usually find him training in the gym!
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
Julie loves to travel and used to live in Canada and Dubai. Julie found out at the age of 30 that she is dyslexic. She also loves getting creative and up-cycling furniture in her spare time.
Peter Cernik, Creative Support Coordinator
Peter Cernik, Creative Support Coordinator
Julie Patterson, Creative Support Coordinator
Peter, also known as Jordy, (guess where he’s from!) once interviewed Beyonce when working on GMTV! Peter has no sense of fear due to an operation - this has been scientifically proven by sending him off a 418ft tower!
Charlotte Bugg, Dance Instructor
Peter Cernik, Creative Support Coordinator
Charlotte Bugg, Dance Instructor
Charlotte is a professional make-up artist and runs her own business. Charlotte was also the European Champion in Freestyle Dance in 2013!
Donna Kelly, Fitness Instructor
Peter Cernik, Creative Support Coordinator
Charlotte Bugg, Dance Instructor
Donna runs our online fitness sessions! She loves early morning jogs along the sea front near where she lives and enjoys sky diving, sea swimming and paddle-boarding.
Tom Roberts, Creative Support Freelancer
Tom Roberts, Creative Support Freelancer
Tom Roberts, Creative Support Freelancer
Tom supports us with our events and sometimes works on our Keeping People Connected project. His hobbies include playing cricket and golf, and he has once brushed shoulders with Neymar (the footballer)!
Sam Dawson, Creative Support Coordinator
Tom Roberts, Creative Support Freelancer
Tom Roberts, Creative Support Freelancer
Sam has worked with adults and children with learning disabilities for over 4 years. Sam completed a football scholarship in America and now manages a scholarship agency. He loves watching sports and playing football.