the amaze team
the amaze team

Rachel Travers
Chief Executive
Rachel Travers
Chief ExecutiveI am responsible for the smooth running of Amaze: ensuring our strategy and plans meet the needs of local families with disabled children and for securing the organisation’s future. I attend many city-wide meetings championing the needs of parent carers and their children in order to improve services. I work part time Monday-Thursday. Direct Email

Ros Cook
Services Director
Ros Cook
Services DirectorI am the overall manager for Amaze’s advice, information and support services for parents and young people including the SENDIASS helplines and casework for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, , the DLA project and Face2Face befriending scheme; also our publications and courses. My role is to help the Amaze team offer the best service they can to parents and young people, and keep things running smoothly. But I like to keep a direct link with parents so you may catch me on the helpline sometimes or meet me running a workshop or training course. I work part time usually Monday to Thursday.

Sally Polanski
Deputy CEO
Sally Polanski
Deputy CEOI provide senior management support to the Compass Register and Card, Amazing Futures peer support project, and strategic and hosting support to the Brighton and Hove Parent Carers' Council, helping ensure a strong voice for parents carers and their families. I lead on internal developments within Amaze and work with the management team to develop services, new projects and opportunities across Sussex. I work part time usually Monday to Thursday. Direct email

Lizzie Batten
DLA Project Manager
Lizzie Batten
DLA Project ManagerI manage the DLA volunteer team who offer parents one to one help with making claims for DLA and PIP. As well as being a bit of a disability guru, I am passionate about helping parents to get the support they deserve. I offer advice through our helpline and, as our longest standing member of staff, get involved in lots of different aspects of Amaze work. I work full time. Direct Email

Liam Ryan
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Coordinator
Liam Ryan
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) CoordinatorI co-ordinate the education, employment and training part of our Amazing Futures offer to young people. We support young people to look at the next steps towards their long-term goals and encourage parent carers to be involved in our work.

Sue Winter
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)
Sue Winter
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)I run the young people’s Amazing Futures Project. Amazing Futures offers one to one peer support to young people with SEND aged 14-25. I train and supervise a team of young people aged 18+ who are volunteer peer supporters. We run group peer support activity sessions for young people aged 14-26 as well as for young women 14-25. We also offer a self-advocacy group that we run jointly with Speak Out, for young people with learning disabilities aged 16-25 years. Young people aged 14+ with SEND can also help Amaze develop our work with young people. Young people or their parents can call me directly on 07483 111648 or email: sue@amazesussex.org.uk I usually work Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Zoe Brinkworth
Finance and Quality Controller
Zoe Brinkworth
Finance and Quality ControllerI am Finance Manager and Quality Controller for Amaze with responsibility for purchasing, invoicing, accounts and payroll. I work part time, usually Tuesday to Thursday. Direct Email

Charlotte Moroney
Communications Manager
Charlotte Moroney
Communications ManagerI manage this website and all our print publications. My work is very varied and includes writing, editing, design and layout, but I am most passionate about giving parents information that is clear, accessible and friendly. I work part-time, generally Tuesday to Thursday.

Nicky Bagilhole
Fundraising Manager
Nicky Bagilhole
Fundraising ManagerI am the Amaze Fundraising Manager and I work Monday to Thursday. I would love to hear from you if you would like more information about getting involved as an individual, group or company. If you could you share an idea or contact, run a marathon, attend an event or volunteer to raise much needed funds and profile for our charity, please contact me. Direct Email

Aileen Welch
Trust Fundraising Manager
Aileen Welch
Trust Fundraising ManagerI am responsible for developing and managing relationships with trusts and foundations and other grant funders such as the Big Lottery Fund. This includes identifying and researching new funders, developing proposals for funding and completing applications and monitoring reports. I work part time Monday – Thursday.

Nicola Keene
Office Administrator
Nicola Keene
Office AdministratorAs Office Administrator, I work alongside Mo to help run our busy office. I also provide project admin support in particular for our DLA/PIP project and for our Independent Support project and I am the Office Volunteer co-ordinator for Amaze. Direct Email

Rose Fenge
Comms and Editorial Assistant
Rose Fenge
Comms and Editorial AssistantI assist Charlotte Moroney with managing our website and print publications, and work with Sue Winter on the Amazing Futures Project, working to get information directly to young people with SEND in an accessible and approachable format. I also help maintain the Local Offer, ensuring the information provided to families with disabled children is accurate and up to date. My work is very varied, from writing and editing to photography and liaising with young people, but mostly I focus on providing information to parents and young people in a clear, understandable form. I usually work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Katie McCusker
Compass Card Development and Communications Assistant
Katie McCusker
Compass Card Development and Communications AssistantI work as part of the Compass Card Team to ensure the Compass Card is working efficiently and I play a key role in communicating with Compass families.

Marie Baker
Compass Card Development and Engagement Worker
Marie Baker
Compass Card Development and Engagement WorkerMarie is out in the field negotiating offers for the Compass Card and engaging with families and young people to ensure we’re getting the right offers.

Anne D
Data Analyst
Anne D
Data AnalystI work within the Compass Team and with Amaze’s main database, focusing on Compass applications and data quality/reporting. I also used to work for Amaze as an Independent Supporter in West Sussex, so have experience of supporting families both directly and indirectly. I work part-time, Mon, Tues, Weds and Fridays.

Julia Donaldson
Patron
Julia Donaldson
Patron"Since moving back to the Sussex area, I was keen to support a local charity that works with children and families and I was impressed with all the things Amaze does to help families with children with additional needs." Julia Donaldson, Children’s Laureate 2012-13, is a much-loved and universally renowned children's writer of such classics as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale and The Singing Mermaid. Julia heard about Amaze from a good friend who has been one of our trustees for many years.

Annabel Giles
Patron
Annabel Giles
Patron"I don’t know where I would be without Amaze. There is plenty of help available for our children with special needs, but virtually nothing for those who look after them. Many’s the time I’ve got into a panic about something or another, and Amaze have calmly helped me through. We are so fortunate to have this charity in Brighton; I will do anything I can to help keep it going. And if we can have fun in the process – well, all the better!" Annabel is an author and TV presenter, as well as a fully qualified counsellor/psychotherapist.

Angela Pell
Patron
Angela Pell
Patron"I have used Amaze many times since our son was diagnosed as being autistic, so I felt very honoured to be asked to be a patron of the charity. We continue even now to go on courses (excellent art classes) run by Amaze and see and hear from my own special needs community, time and time again, how people have been helped, lifted and supported by their services. I help Nicky with fundraising events and am mainly involved in The Big Cheer which I always find to be hilarious. It is the highlight of my year!" Angela is a screenwriter, with credits that the feature film Snow Cake.

Henry Normal
Patron
Henry Normal
Patron"My wife and I were approached to become patrons of Amaze and we were both delighted to accept. We had used their services and taken advice from them in the past when our autism journey (with our son) first began. They are such a positive and supportive organization. We help with the annual comedy fundraiser, The Big Cheer." Henry is an award-winning and BAFTA-nominated writer, producer and poet. He founded Baby Cow Productions Ltd together with comedy superstar, Steve Coogan.

Hugh Clench
Chair of Trustees
Hugh Clench
Chair of TrusteesBeing a parent or carer of a child with special needs brings many challenges and rewards. Whether or not you are a parent, being a trustee of a highly valued and respected organisation such as Amaze is a privilege which enriches the lives of all those involved. The role carries a number of set responsibilities, but also provides the freedom to contribute as and when best fits with your own busy life.

Debby Norris
Treasurer
Debby Norris
TreasurerI joined Amaze because I have an autistic daughter and also a background in Accounting. This charity has been a great support to my daughter and my whole family. Its a pleasure to be in a position to give back and support Amaze.

Shelley Bennett
Trustee
Shelley Bennett
TrusteeAmaze has been incredibly supportive to my family and helped us to navigate the new world we find ourselves in with a daughter with special needs. Amaze’s provision for so many families, like mine, across the region is invaluable and therefore I wanted to give back to this incredible organisation by giving time and sharing my communications expertise to promote their vital work.

Fungi Woolnough-Murau
Trustee
Fungi Woolnough-Murau
TrusteeI enjoy seeing children smile and laugh. Every child has the ability to contribute to the community they live in. Children of limited abilities need support and encouragement to reach their potential. Amaze offers the platform for parents to navigate services to allow special needs children to lead a fully inclusive life, and it makes me proud to be able to contribute to such an inspirational organisation. An organisation that has supported me as a parent raising a wonderful daughter with special needs.

Sally Howell
Trustee
Sally Howell
TrusteeI am a parent of two children with special needs. I have experience in securing various services for both children over the years and have experience of special needs in mainstream, special and more recently residential schools. I am a trustee for Amaze because I believe in all the work they do to raise the awareness of issues relating to special needs children and in the direct help they offer to parent’s to negotiate the obstacles presented.

Siobhan Cox
Trustee
Siobhan Cox
TrusteeI joined the Board of Trustees in January 2011 and really enjoy making a contribution to the great work of Amaze. I am a Partner in a local firm of Solicitors.

Emma Parker
SENDIASS Manager
Emma Parker
SENDIASS ManagerI co-ordinate SENDIASS, our Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. This includes our busy helpline and the one to one follow up advice and support from our SENDIASS advisor team. I also manage our wonderful team of SENDIASS volunteers. I really enjoy my role at Amaze making sure we offer the best information and advice we can, but also working directly with parents whether this is on the helpline, casework, a training course or a workshop.

Debbie Collins
SENDIASS Development Worker
Debbie Collins
SENDIASS Development WorkerI work with Liam and Sally to look at ways to make sure the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support service (SENDIASS) delivers the best possible service to parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. I am a parent carer of a young adult with a rare genetic syndrome and can identify with other parents in similar circumstances.

Gillian Kitchener
SENDIASS Adviser
Gillian Kitchener
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Sally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People Development worker
Sally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People Development workerAs part of the SENDIASS development team, I look at ways to make sure that our Special Educational needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) delivers the best possible service to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I also provide some information, advice and support casework with individual young people.

Paolo Boldrini
PaCC Parent Participation and Outreach Worker
Paolo Boldrini
PaCC Parent Participation and Outreach WorkerI work with Amaze and PaCC to enable parent carers to be more involved on the way services for families with children and young people with additional needs and disabilities are commissioned and delivered across Brighton & Hove. I run coffee mornings for parent carers and organise consultations on different topics. I am not a parent carer but have extensive experience of supporting various groups to access mainstream and specialist services. Direct email.

Diana Boyd
PaCC Vice Chair
Diana Boyd
PaCC Vice ChairAs Vice-Chair of PaCC, I support the Chair and work as a parent rep. Rep work involves consulting with parent carers and then feeding back their views to professionals at the local authority and in health services. I am also responsible for the Partnership Charter and the development of a co-production policy to help embed partnership working at all levels.

Fiona England
PaCC Chair
Fiona England
PaCC ChairI am very interested in the parent carers voice in Brighton and Hove. The new government guidelines stress the importance of parent partnership, which was a motivating factor in applying for this role.

Jo Levi
PaCC Administration & Communications Co-Ordinator
Jo Levi
PaCC Administration & Communications Co-OrdinatorI work at the Parent and Carers Council supporting the team with administration and communications. This ever changing job can mean anything from organising PaCC events, posting news and information on social media, designing flyers and most importantly keeping Parent Carers informed and to date and involved with all the latest information and news that may effect them. As a parent carer myself I appreciate the need to have a voice supporting the parent carer community and ensuring that our needs are addressed, enabling the best outcomes for ourselves and our children.

Lyra Edmonds
SENDIASS Adviser
Lyra Edmonds
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Sav Kanagasundaram
SENDIASS Adviser
Sav Kanagasundaram
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS Adviser
Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Claire Piper
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)
Claire Piper
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)I run the new young people’s Amazing Futures Project for East Sussex. Amazing Futures is a free project to improve support for young people aged 14-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) going through transition to adulthood. I have been working in community-based arts projects in East Sussex for many years, am a parent carer of a teenage son with SEND and I am very excited to part of the Amaze team. Call me directly on 07484915038 or email: claire@amazesussex.org.uk. I work part time Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Michelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS Helpline Adviser
Michelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS Helpline AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Siobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Helpline Adviser
Siobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Helpline AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Debbie Tuesley
Trustee
Debbie Tuesley
TrusteeHaving a child with a learning disability, I know from experience, can make day to day life very lonely and stressful. Simple tasks every family does without thinking become logistical nightmares. Being able to talk to others who have been through similar challenges and "get it" can be a real life line. Amaze offers parents this life line and I am proud to support it.

Alison Plant
Trustee
Alison Plant
Trustee
Dan Barfoot
Trustee
Dan Barfoot
TrusteeAs a teacher, sports coach and youth mentor with over a decade's worth of experience working with practitioners and young people from a wide variety of backgrounds, becoming a trustee of such an important charity as Amaze seemed like a positive and natural step forward. My alternative provision provides services to many young people with the same needs and requirements as those young people cared for by Amaze and so I was keen to bring our innovative educational ideas together to serve such an important service.

Moe Hamdhaidari
Trustee
Moe Hamdhaidari
TrusteeBeing very aware of the fantastic work that Amaze does, it is an honour to have been appointed a Trustee. I am delighted to support the ongoing journey while giving back to my local community. My background is digital media and marketing.

Amy Goble
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) worker
Amy Goble
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) workerI work on the education, employment and training part of our Amazing Futures offer to young people. I support young people and their parent carers to look at the next steps towards their long-term goals.

Rachel Travers
Chief Executive
Rachel Travers
Chief ExecutiveI am responsible for the smooth running of Amaze: ensuring our strategy and plans meet the needs of local families with disabled children and for securing the organisation’s future. I attend many city-wide meetings championing the needs of parent carers and their children in order to improve services. I work part time Monday-Thursday. Direct Email

Ros Cook
Services Director
Ros Cook
Services DirectorI am the overall manager for Amaze’s advice, information and support services for parents and young people including the SENDIASS helplines and casework for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, , the DLA project and Face2Face befriending scheme; also our publications and courses. My role is to help the Amaze team offer the best service they can to parents and young people, and keep things running smoothly. But I like to keep a direct link with parents so you may catch me on the helpline sometimes or meet me running a workshop or training course. I work part time usually Monday to Thursday.

Sally Polanski
Deputy CEO
Sally Polanski
Deputy CEOI provide senior management support to the Compass Register and Card, Amazing Futures peer support project, and strategic and hosting support to the Brighton and Hove Parent Carers' Council, helping ensure a strong voice for parents carers and their families. I lead on internal developments within Amaze and work with the management team to develop services, new projects and opportunities across Sussex. I work part time usually Monday to Thursday. Direct email

Lizzie Batten
DLA Project Manager
Lizzie Batten
DLA Project ManagerI manage the DLA volunteer team who offer parents one to one help with making claims for DLA and PIP. As well as being a bit of a disability guru, I am passionate about helping parents to get the support they deserve. I offer advice through our helpline and, as our longest standing member of staff, get involved in lots of different aspects of Amaze work. I work full time. Direct Email

Liam Ryan
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Coordinator
Liam Ryan
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) CoordinatorI co-ordinate the education, employment and training part of our Amazing Futures offer to young people. We support young people to look at the next steps towards their long-term goals and encourage parent carers to be involved in our work.

Sue Winter
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)
Sue Winter
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)I run the young people’s Amazing Futures Project. Amazing Futures offers one to one peer support to young people with SEND aged 14-25. I train and supervise a team of young people aged 18+ who are volunteer peer supporters. We run group peer support activity sessions for young people aged 14-26 as well as for young women 14-25. We also offer a self-advocacy group that we run jointly with Speak Out, for young people with learning disabilities aged 16-25 years. Young people aged 14+ with SEND can also help Amaze develop our work with young people. Young people or their parents can call me directly on 07483 111648 or email: sue@amazesussex.org.uk I usually work Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Zoe Brinkworth
Finance and Quality Controller
Zoe Brinkworth
Finance and Quality ControllerI am Finance Manager and Quality Controller for Amaze with responsibility for purchasing, invoicing, accounts and payroll. I work part time, usually Tuesday to Thursday. Direct Email

Charlotte Moroney
Communications Manager
Charlotte Moroney
Communications ManagerI manage this website and all our print publications. My work is very varied and includes writing, editing, design and layout, but I am most passionate about giving parents information that is clear, accessible and friendly. I work part-time, generally Tuesday to Thursday.

Nicky Bagilhole
Fundraising Manager
Nicky Bagilhole
Fundraising ManagerI am the Amaze Fundraising Manager and I work Monday to Thursday. I would love to hear from you if you would like more information about getting involved as an individual, group or company. If you could you share an idea or contact, run a marathon, attend an event or volunteer to raise much needed funds and profile for our charity, please contact me. Direct Email

Aileen Welch
Trust Fundraising Manager
Aileen Welch
Trust Fundraising ManagerI am responsible for developing and managing relationships with trusts and foundations and other grant funders such as the Big Lottery Fund. This includes identifying and researching new funders, developing proposals for funding and completing applications and monitoring reports. I work part time Monday – Thursday.

Nicola Keene
Office Administrator
Nicola Keene
Office AdministratorAs Office Administrator, I work alongside Mo to help run our busy office. I also provide project admin support in particular for our DLA/PIP project and for our Independent Support project and I am the Office Volunteer co-ordinator for Amaze. Direct Email

Rose Fenge
Comms and Editorial Assistant
Rose Fenge
Comms and Editorial AssistantI assist Charlotte Moroney with managing our website and print publications, and work with Sue Winter on the Amazing Futures Project, working to get information directly to young people with SEND in an accessible and approachable format. I also help maintain the Local Offer, ensuring the information provided to families with disabled children is accurate and up to date. My work is very varied, from writing and editing to photography and liaising with young people, but mostly I focus on providing information to parents and young people in a clear, understandable form. I usually work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Katie McCusker
Compass Card Development and Communications Assistant
Katie McCusker
Compass Card Development and Communications AssistantI work as part of the Compass Card Team to ensure the Compass Card is working efficiently and I play a key role in communicating with Compass families.

Marie Baker
Compass Card Development and Engagement Worker
Marie Baker
Compass Card Development and Engagement WorkerMarie is out in the field negotiating offers for the Compass Card and engaging with families and young people to ensure we’re getting the right offers.

Anne D
Data Analyst
Anne D
Data AnalystI work within the Compass Team and with Amaze’s main database, focusing on Compass applications and data quality/reporting. I also used to work for Amaze as an Independent Supporter in West Sussex, so have experience of supporting families both directly and indirectly. I work part-time, Mon, Tues, Weds and Fridays.

Emma Parker
SENDIASS Manager
Emma Parker
SENDIASS ManagerI co-ordinate SENDIASS, our Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. This includes our busy helpline and the one to one follow up advice and support from our SENDIASS advisor team. I also manage our wonderful team of SENDIASS volunteers. I really enjoy my role at Amaze making sure we offer the best information and advice we can, but also working directly with parents whether this is on the helpline, casework, a training course or a workshop.

Debbie Collins
SENDIASS Development Worker
Debbie Collins
SENDIASS Development WorkerI work with Liam and Sally to look at ways to make sure the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support service (SENDIASS) delivers the best possible service to parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. I am a parent carer of a young adult with a rare genetic syndrome and can identify with other parents in similar circumstances.

Gillian Kitchener
SENDIASS Adviser
Gillian Kitchener
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Sally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People Development worker
Sally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People Development workerAs part of the SENDIASS development team, I look at ways to make sure that our Special Educational needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) delivers the best possible service to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I also provide some information, advice and support casework with individual young people.

Paolo Boldrini
PaCC Parent Participation and Outreach Worker
Paolo Boldrini
PaCC Parent Participation and Outreach WorkerI work with Amaze and PaCC to enable parent carers to be more involved on the way services for families with children and young people with additional needs and disabilities are commissioned and delivered across Brighton & Hove. I run coffee mornings for parent carers and organise consultations on different topics. I am not a parent carer but have extensive experience of supporting various groups to access mainstream and specialist services. Direct email.

Diana Boyd
PaCC Vice Chair
Diana Boyd
PaCC Vice ChairAs Vice-Chair of PaCC, I support the Chair and work as a parent rep. Rep work involves consulting with parent carers and then feeding back their views to professionals at the local authority and in health services. I am also responsible for the Partnership Charter and the development of a co-production policy to help embed partnership working at all levels.

Fiona England
PaCC Chair
Fiona England
PaCC ChairI am very interested in the parent carers voice in Brighton and Hove. The new government guidelines stress the importance of parent partnership, which was a motivating factor in applying for this role.

Jo Levi
PaCC Administration & Communications Co-Ordinator
Jo Levi
PaCC Administration & Communications Co-OrdinatorI work at the Parent and Carers Council supporting the team with administration and communications. This ever changing job can mean anything from organising PaCC events, posting news and information on social media, designing flyers and most importantly keeping Parent Carers informed and to date and involved with all the latest information and news that may effect them. As a parent carer myself I appreciate the need to have a voice supporting the parent carer community and ensuring that our needs are addressed, enabling the best outcomes for ourselves and our children.

Lyra Edmonds
SENDIASS Adviser
Lyra Edmonds
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Sav Kanagasundaram
SENDIASS Adviser
Sav Kanagasundaram
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS Adviser
Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline and follow up conversations with extra resources and contacts if required. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.

Claire Piper
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)
Claire Piper
Young People’s Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)I run the new young people’s Amazing Futures Project for East Sussex. Amazing Futures is a free project to improve support for young people aged 14-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) going through transition to adulthood. I have been working in community-based arts projects in East Sussex for many years, am a parent carer of a teenage son with SEND and I am very excited to part of the Amaze team. Call me directly on 07484915038 or email: claire@amazesussex.org.uk. I work part time Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Michelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS Helpline Adviser
Michelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS Helpline AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Siobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Helpline Adviser
Siobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Helpline AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Hugh Clench
Chair of Trustees
Hugh Clench
Chair of TrusteesBeing a parent or carer of a child with special needs brings many challenges and rewards. Whether or not you are a parent, being a trustee of a highly valued and respected organisation such as Amaze is a privilege which enriches the lives of all those involved. The role carries a number of set responsibilities, but also provides the freedom to contribute as and when best fits with your own busy life.

Debby Norris
Treasurer
Debby Norris
TreasurerI joined Amaze because I have an autistic daughter and also a background in Accounting. This charity has been a great support to my daughter and my whole family. Its a pleasure to be in a position to give back and support Amaze.

Shelley Bennett
Trustee
Shelley Bennett
TrusteeAmaze has been incredibly supportive to my family and helped us to navigate the new world we find ourselves in with a daughter with special needs. Amaze’s provision for so many families, like mine, across the region is invaluable and therefore I wanted to give back to this incredible organisation by giving time and sharing my communications expertise to promote their vital work.

Fungi Woolnough-Murau
Trustee
Fungi Woolnough-Murau
TrusteeI enjoy seeing children smile and laugh. Every child has the ability to contribute to the community they live in. Children of limited abilities need support and encouragement to reach their potential. Amaze offers the platform for parents to navigate services to allow special needs children to lead a fully inclusive life, and it makes me proud to be able to contribute to such an inspirational organisation. An organisation that has supported me as a parent raising a wonderful daughter with special needs.

Sally Howell
Trustee
Sally Howell
TrusteeI am a parent of two children with special needs. I have experience in securing various services for both children over the years and have experience of special needs in mainstream, special and more recently residential schools. I am a trustee for Amaze because I believe in all the work they do to raise the awareness of issues relating to special needs children and in the direct help they offer to parent’s to negotiate the obstacles presented.

Siobhan Cox
Trustee
Siobhan Cox
TrusteeI joined the Board of Trustees in January 2011 and really enjoy making a contribution to the great work of Amaze. I am a Partner in a local firm of Solicitors.

Debbie Tuesley
Trustee
Debbie Tuesley
TrusteeHaving a child with a learning disability, I know from experience, can make day to day life very lonely and stressful. Simple tasks every family does without thinking become logistical nightmares. Being able to talk to others who have been through similar challenges and "get it" can be a real life line. Amaze offers parents this life line and I am proud to support it.

Alison Plant
Trustee
Alison Plant
Trustee
Dan Barfoot
Trustee
Dan Barfoot
TrusteeAs a teacher, sports coach and youth mentor with over a decade's worth of experience working with practitioners and young people from a wide variety of backgrounds, becoming a trustee of such an important charity as Amaze seemed like a positive and natural step forward. My alternative provision provides services to many young people with the same needs and requirements as those young people cared for by Amaze and so I was keen to bring our innovative educational ideas together to serve such an important service.

Moe Hamdhaidari
Trustee
Moe Hamdhaidari
TrusteeBeing very aware of the fantastic work that Amaze does, it is an honour to have been appointed a Trustee. I am delighted to support the ongoing journey while giving back to my local community. My background is digital media and marketing.

Julia Donaldson
Patron
Julia Donaldson
Patron"Since moving back to the Sussex area, I was keen to support a local charity that works with children and families and I was impressed with all the things Amaze does to help families with children with additional needs." Julia Donaldson, Children’s Laureate 2012-13, is a much-loved and universally renowned children's writer of such classics as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale and The Singing Mermaid. Julia heard about Amaze from a good friend who has been one of our trustees for many years.

Annabel Giles
Patron
Annabel Giles
Patron"I don’t know where I would be without Amaze. There is plenty of help available for our children with special needs, but virtually nothing for those who look after them. Many’s the time I’ve got into a panic about something or another, and Amaze have calmly helped me through. We are so fortunate to have this charity in Brighton; I will do anything I can to help keep it going. And if we can have fun in the process – well, all the better!" Annabel is an author and TV presenter, as well as a fully qualified counsellor/psychotherapist.

Angela Pell
Patron
Angela Pell
Patron"I have used Amaze many times since our son was diagnosed as being autistic, so I felt very honoured to be asked to be a patron of the charity. We continue even now to go on courses (excellent art classes) run by Amaze and see and hear from my own special needs community, time and time again, how people have been helped, lifted and supported by their services. I help Nicky with fundraising events and am mainly involved in The Big Cheer which I always find to be hilarious. It is the highlight of my year!" Angela is a screenwriter, with credits that the feature film Snow Cake.

Henry Normal
Patron
Henry Normal
Patron"My wife and I were approached to become patrons of Amaze and we were both delighted to accept. We had used their services and taken advice from them in the past when our autism journey (with our son) first began. They are such a positive and supportive organization. We help with the annual comedy fundraiser, The Big Cheer." Henry is an award-winning and BAFTA-nominated writer, producer and poet. He founded Baby Cow Productions Ltd together with comedy superstar, Steve Coogan.