the amaze team

Rachel Travers

I 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

I 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

I provide senior management support to the Compass Register and Card, Amazing Futures project, and strategic and hosting support to the Brighton & Hove Parent Carers' Council and East Sussex Parent Carer Forum, 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 MBE

I 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

I manage the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information , Advice and Support  (SENDIASS) services for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. Our advisors operate an advice line Monday-Friday, we also have caseworkers and a team of volunteers.  The service is open to young people with SEND and to parent carers with queries about education, health, social care and other issues related to special educational needs. Please contact SENDIASS on 01272 772289 or sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk

Sue Winter

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 14-25 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

I 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

I 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.

Aileen Welch

I 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

I provide admin support for our DLA and PIP project.  

Rose Fenge

I 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.

Vicky Baynton-Williams

I work in the communications team, mostly handling social media, and ensuring we share relevant and interesting content with our audience. I also assist the fundraising team.  I work part-time, generally Monday to Thursday.

Marie Baker

As well as working with Compass and Carers’ Card Partners, negotiating new offers and maintaining current offers across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, I focus on outreach work to ensure we are reaching all families and relevant professionals in West Sussex.

Anne D

I 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

"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.

Angela Barnes

"I became aware of Amaze and the work they do through taking part in their brilliant BIG CHEER for Amaze comedy night at Komedia. They are such a dedicated team who really care about supporting families with children with disabilities and additional needs, and the difference they make to the lives of the people they support is so vital. The enthusiasm and joy that Amaze brings to what they do is really infectious, so when they approached me about being a patron, I was delighted to say “yes please” and to lend my support in any way I can. Amaze is truly Amazing and I’m so honoured to be involved."   Angela Barnes is a well-known stand up comedian and TV star, regularly appearing on shows like Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo.

Annabel Giles

"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

"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

"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

Being 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

I 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

Amaze 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

I 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.

Siobhan Cox

I 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.

Sav Kanagasundaram

I help improve parental support for Brighton & Hove families throughout the Neurodevelopmental Pathway, a service funded by the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

Michelle Bond-Howland

I offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Gaynor Entwistle

I offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the advice line and help deliver SENDIASS workshops. I also work as a Benefits Assistant, supporting the DLA project manager with helping our families to claim DLA or PIP for their child or young person.

Gillian Kitchener

I 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.

Lyra Edmonds

I 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.

Siobhan Aggarwal

I offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.

Sally Cristin

I am the SENDIASS worker for young people with SEND under 25 years old. I give information, advice and support to individual young people around their education, health care and social care. If I can’t help, I try to find someone who can. I also provide information, advice and support to parent carers too.

Boo Vaughan

I administer the SENDIASS Advice Line, our Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. This includes triaging our very busy advice line, booking in calls and answering emails, setting up workshops and supporting the SENDIASS advisers and volunteers working on the Advice Line.

Paolo Boldrini

I 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

As Chair of PaCC, I consult with parent carers and feed 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.

Claire Piper

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.

Alison Plant

Dan Barfoot

As 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

Being 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.

Debbie Collins

I manage the delivery of the Face 2 Face project across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex and supervise the two project workers to do this.  This includes planning the development of the service, overseeing the training of new befrienders and working with external partners to ensure eligible families are referred to the service for support.

Louise Howe

I help deliver the Face 2 Face project in Brighton & Hove, working closely with the Face 2 Face Manager, to manage our team of volunteer befrienders, taking referrals and matching parent carers with befriender volunteers.  I also run our regular Face 2 Face ASC group and Breakfast Club in Brighton & Hove, and oversee the running of the Dads Group.

Kathy Johnson

I deliver the Face 2 Face project in East Sussex, working closely with the Face 2 Face Manager, managing a team of befrienders, taking referrals and matching parent carers with befriender volunteers.  I set up and run our Face 2 Face groups in East Sussex – the Kids Squad, Escape and the Brunch Club.

Lesley Whittal

I assist the Finance Manager with the Accounts and HR duties for Amaze as well as general office administration.

Joe Wilkinson

We enticed Joe into becoming our patron by spying on him and putting a begging letter on his car! He took part in our annual Comedy Event BIG CHEER for Amaze, and the rest is history. Joe is now a firm friend who helps Amaze bring positivity and humour to our service users and supporters. Joe Wilkinson is a well-known comedian, writer and actor.

Charlie Ayres

Charlie helps Claire to run the Young People’s Peer Support Project. Charlie is part of the young people’s fundraising team and is involved in the development of the youth voice in East Sussex. She is also helping with the production of the Amazine.

Eliza Swinburn

Eliza is a young person on a Sussex University student placement with Amaze. She is working on the young persons' team with Amazing Futures.

Pagane Gacheva

Pagane helps Sue to run the Young People’s Peer Support Project, runs the Drama Group and helps with the production of the Amazine. She also represents young people on the Amaze Trustees Board.