Due to the lack of support available, and the enormous escalation of struggle, disfunction and worry that was caused to my family’s day-to-day life, drove me to want to fill the gap and create some community support for families to not be alone.

I’m dedicated to providing crucial support for families as soon as they need it, a passionate advocate for change in the current struggling systems, and to offer real hope for Gen Alpha and Gen Z.

Being a very creative soul myself with a history trailing with creative arts, production and business accomplishments spanning over a 30-year career. Having also worked in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools as a teacher, my knowledge and understanding of young people’s emotional needs, right to be seen, understood and heard are very clear. Having gone on to deepen my lived experience of Mental Health with further education and acquiring accreditations, I now concentrate my time on a professional level as an NLP Practitioner, performance Coach and Mental Health Consultant, alongside running and helping at the charity.

I strongly believe empathy, care and trust are key, along with early interventions to support a young person’s challenged emotional wellbeing and by providing the family with all the tools they need to get through this challenging time together. No family should go through what I experienced. Real care and understanding for everyone involved is the answer. There is always Hope.

I understand all too well due to my personal connection, understanding and care of this much needed community lifeline, that I wanted to commit my time and skills into anything HOPE needed to open its doors. Days and months of personal time have been given for free and still is to this day. Committed to the cause and proud to be a long-standing member of Team HOPE. My belief in our services and need for this kind of help drives my passion to give and help where and when I can. My building skills, carpentry, design, creative abilities and connection with many friends in the trades along the way has helped HOPE to provide a facility for families to come to. The Hub is like the heart of HOPE to us, nostalgic, special, unique, and created with love and commitment. Many amazing local businesses in Sussex contributed to the original build by donating materials and additional needed skill sets. I just pull it all together.

My passion for early intervention and emotional wellbeing support has been shaped through lived experience and years of supporting a close family member whilst navigating the mental health system. Through that journey, I came to understand the confusion, exhaustion and isolation many families experience whilst trying to access help and support.

I also experienced first-hand the importance of being heard, supported and met without judgement. Those experiences continue to drive my commitment to helping create safe, compassionate spaces where families and young people can begin rebuilding confidence, connection and hope.

Alongside my work at HOPE, I have a background in fundraising, project development and community engagement, helping secure the partnerships, funding and long-term sustainability needed to keep HOPE growing and accessible to the families who need us most.

As HOPE continues to expand, my focus remains on strengthening the organisation’s future, building meaningful partnerships and ensuring families do not feel alone whilst waiting for support.

As an expert through lived experience as well as professional practice, I have extensive knowledge of sensory strategies, co-regulation techniques, and inclusive approaches that help neurodivergent individuals thrive. I hold qualifications across a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) areas, including Autism Awareness, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Behaviour That Challenges.

I support families throughout their neurodiversity journey, assisting with assessment pathways, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications, and navigating support services following diagnosis. I also design and deliver training for parents, carers, educators, and professionals on a variety of topics relating to neurodiversity and inclusive practice.

Alongside my advisory work, I run a small sensory jewellery business and have undertaken specialist training in pastoral support, therapeutic thinking, and special education policy and practice. As an SEN advisor and advocate, I am passionate about empowering families, promoting understanding, and helping neurodivergent individuals access the support they need to succeed"

 

I have worked in executive business leadership, in senior management positions, in both the business and charity sectors. I believe I am a strategic thinker, with a creative edge and I have enjoyed developing brands ranging from large charities and businesses in the UK through to organisations and social enterprises in Southern Africa. Now retired, I get pleasure from sharing the knowledge and experience I have gained over the past 50 years. As well as supporting HOPE, I serve as a Parish Councillor and am Vice Chair of our local Community Partnership. I am married to Madeleine and between us we have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.

Supporting young people as they navigate life is something I care about deeply, and being a trustee gives me the opportunity to combine that passion with my professional expertise. I can use my people and HR skills to help strengthen the charity, support its growth, and ensure it has the structures in place to continue making a positive difference for years to come.

Now retired having had a 40 year career in the pharmaceutical industry which started in the UK and eventually traveling to every part of the World. A consulting career again involved global travel and involved one-on-one coaching, running training courses, and providing ideas across all levels of large organisations including many of the top 100 Companies globally. I really enjoy interacting with people to our mutual benefit and am especially interested in local and national government and associated organisations and how we can help each other.

Having been inspired by the founder – Claire and her story, I’m very aware of the overwhelming need for much more support locally for struggling teens and families, than is. My wealth of knowledge and experience within big corporations and political environment excites me to be involved in such a give back organisation leading a positive example that can potentially influence long term, governmental financial saving opportunities, by playing my part in Team HOPE. Helping people and helping to facilitate supporting this need for change in the current systems on many levels with the passion that’s behind HOPE.

 

My career has been varied and exciting, from originally training to be a dentist (that was suddenly terminated in a motorbike crash) to medical sales and progressing to General Manager for the largest digital healthcare company in the UK.

Then seizing a business coaching opportunity, I enthusiastically aided numerous Sussex companies to develop strategies, teams and boost revenues, even becoming General Manager for one of them, whilst all the time growing my own property portfolio.

Mel and I have been married for more than 20 years and have 4 adult ‘children’ so, now retired, we take every opportunity to travel whilst also fitting in running having, so far completed 20 full marathons around Europe.
With contacts across many industries and an appetite for making things happen, I’m keen to use whatever skills I have and to assist the lovely and tireless Team at HOPE in any way I can.
 

She has also spent many years volunteering with St John Ambulance, including as County Commissioner Youth, a senior role supporting young volunteers. In recognition of her service, she was invested as a member of the Order of St John. Outside work, Hannah enjoys running, skiing and cycling, as well as supporting her daughters’ interests in horse riding and dance. .
 

He has watched HOPE grow since he was a puppy and the Hub has been his second home! When the HOPE vision was just an idea on paper, he was very much a big part of that vision knowing the incredible effects animals have on a person who is feeling low. Animal therapy is a beautiful thing. Rudy has been with us every step of the way and is here to welcome you. But don’t worry, if you would rather not meet him he would not be there when you visit – we have lots of fun places he can go off and play in till you have gone. Just let us know. Rudy is here to help you feel better too.

Of course, not everyone is a cat person, and that’s absolutely fine. If you’d prefer them not to be around, please let us know before your visit and we’ll make sure they’re out of the hub during your session.