Sally Polanski
CEOSally Polanski
CEOI 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.
Ros Cook
Head of Carer ServicesRos Cook
Head of Carer ServicesI 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.
Hannah Allbrooke
Head of Fundraising & MarketingHannah Allbrooke
Head of Fundraising & MarketingElla Burns
Young People Services ManagerElla Burns
Young People Services ManagerLizzie Batten MBE
Benefits Advice ManagerLizzie Batten MBE
Benefits Advice 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.
Charlotte Moroney
Communications ManagerCharlotte 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.
Liam Ryan
SENDIASS ManagerLiam Ryan
SENDIASS ManagerI 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 email.
Marie Baker
Parent Groups & Befriending Manager / Compass Card Membership OfficerMarie Baker
Parent Groups & Befriending Manager / Compass Card Membership OfficerAs well as managing the delivery of parent groups and befriending across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex (supervising the project workers, overseeing befriender training etc). I work with Compass and Carers’ Card Partners, negotiating new offers and maintaining current offers across Brighton & Hove.
Ellie H
Data and Performance ManagerEllie H
Data and Performance ManagerSav Kanagasundaram
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service ManagerSav Kanagasundaram
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service ManagerOur service aims to help improve parental support for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex families throughout the neurodevelopmental pathway. NHS Sussex teams in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex commission Amaze to coordinate this service for our local parent carers.
Hattie Yannaghas
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerHattie Yannaghas
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerNicky Cruttenden
Senior Administrator / NDP Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinatorNicky Cruttenden
Senior Administrator / NDP Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinatorHelen Albea
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service Admin AssistantHelen Albea
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service Admin AssistantBoo Vaughan
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerBoo Vaughan
NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerClaire Piper
Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)Claire Piper
Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)I run the 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. I work part time Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Charlotte-Lily Ayres
Youth Development Worker - Amazing Futures East SussexCharlotte-Lily Ayres
Youth Development Worker - Amazing Futures East SussexDara Russell
IAG Coordinator for Amazing Futures CareersDara Russell
IAG Coordinator for Amazing Futures CareersI run the Amazing Futures Careers project at Amaze for young people aged 14-25 with additional needs in Brighton and Hove and across the county of East Sussex. I work with young people to prepare them for work by helping them to identify their skills, develop their job seeking tools (e.g. CVs, applications and interviews) and learn about support - and their legal rights - at work. I deliver support mainly through one-to-one sessions and sometimes run group workshops too. I usually work Monday to Thursday and can be contacted on email or 07485 345903.
Rose Fenge
Comms and Editorial AssistantRose Fenge
Comms and Editorial AssistantI assist Charlotte Moroney with managing our website and print publications, and work with our Amazing Futures Project to get information directly to young people with SEND in an accessible and approachable format. 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. My pronouns are she/her.
Vicky Baynton-Williams
Content & Community MarketerVicky Baynton-Williams
Content & Community MarketerI work in the communications team, handling social media, and ensuring we share relevant and interesting content with our audience. My job involves social posts and marketing for Amaze, PaCC and the fundraising team, working part-time, generally Monday to Thursday.
Jhuma Sharma
Individual Giving and Events FundraiserJhuma Sharma
Individual Giving and Events FundraiserSiobhan Collier
Trust & Corporate FundraiserSiobhan Collier
Trust & Corporate FundraiserSiobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Adviser / NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerSiobhan Aggarwal
SENDIASS Adviser / NDP Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerMichelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS AdviserMichelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.
Sally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People workerSally Cristin
SENDIASS Children and Young People workerI 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.
Lyra Edmonds
SENDIASS AdviserLyra 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.
Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS Adviser/Benefits Team AssistantGaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS Adviser/Benefits Team AssistantI 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.
Ivana Magris
SENDIASS AdviserIvana Magris
SENDIASS AdviserKacey Malony
SENDIASS AdministratorKacey Malony
SENDIASS AdministratorI gather and record messages from parent carers and young people and ensure their queries are passed to the different services at Amaze, mainly the SENDIASS team.
Sue McMillan
SENDIASS AdviserSue McMillan
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline. I also attend local authority meetings and Amaze workshops related to SEND to further promote the service we offer.
Emma Parker
SENDIASS AdviserEmma Parker
SENDIASS AdviserLouise Howe
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeLouise Howe
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeI help deliver the groups and befriending service in Brighton & Hove, working closely with the the service manager, to manage our team of volunteer befrienders, taking referrals and matching parent carers with befriender volunteers. I also run our regular ASC group and Breakfast Club in Brighton & Hove and oversee the running of the Dads Group.
Darren Walker
Dads Group CoordinatorDarren Walker
Dads Group CoordinatorHello to all the fathers out there! I coordinate the Dad's Group which combines a closed Facebook group/WhatsApp and physical monthly meetings in a local bar. These meetings are safe, relaxed, and conversation crosses all barriers through laughter and of understanding each other's circumstances. Email me for more information.
Zoe Luther
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeZoe Luther
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeZoe is part of the parent groups and befriending team, with a focus on mental health. Her role includes taking referrals and matching parent carers with befriender volunteers throughout Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. She also runs parent carer support groups, wellbeing sessions for parent carers and helps facilitate workshops, as well as helping to run the numerous WhatsApp peer support groups.
Kathy Johnson
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeKathy Johnson
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeI deliver the parent groups and befriending project in East Sussex, working closely with the service manager, managing a team of befrienders, taking referrals and matching parent carers with befriender volunteers. I set up and run our parent groups in East Sussex – the Kids Squad, Escape and the Brunch Club.
Sandra Chitty
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeSandra Chitty
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeLesley Whittal
Finance & Admin OfficerLesley Whittal
Finance & Admin OfficerI assist the Finance Manager with the Accounts and HR duties for Amaze as well as general office administration.
Nicola Keene
Office AdministratorNicola Keene
Office AdministratorI provide admin support for our DLA and PIP project.
Lisa Brown
AdministratorLisa Brown
AdministratorLaura Tyrell
Compass Senior AdministratorLaura Tyrell
Compass Senior AdministratorParent Carers Council (PaCC)
Becky Robinson
PaCC ChairBecky Robinson
PaCC ChairAs Chair of PaCC, I consult with parent carers and feed back their views to professionals at the local authority and in health services.
Paolo Boldrini
PaCC Engagement CoordinatorPaolo Boldrini
PaCC Engagement CoordinatorI work with PaCC to enable parent carers to be more involved in 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.
Ruth Price
PaCC Autism in Schools WorkerRuth Price
PaCC Autism in Schools WorkerEast Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF)
Holly Riley Saxby
ESPCF ChairHolly Riley Saxby
ESPCF ChairBecky Jones
Admin & Comms Coordinator, ESPCFBecky Jones
Admin & Comms Coordinator, ESPCFKaren Davis
Engagement Coordinator, ESPCFKaren Davis
Engagement Coordinator, ESPCFSerene Russell
Engagement Worker, ESPCFSerene Russell
Engagement Worker, ESPCFDiana Boyd
Chair of TrusteesDiana Boyd
Chair of TrusteesDebby Norris
TreasurerDebby 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
TrusteeShelley 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.
Moe Hamdhaidari
TrusteeMoe 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.
Siobhan Cox
TrusteeSiobhan 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.
Eliph Haddert
TrusteeEliph Haddert
TrusteeFungi Woolnough-Murau
TrusteeFungi 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.
Alison Plant
TrusteeAlison Plant
TrusteeAngela Barnes
PatronAngela Barnes
PatronI 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.
Julia Donaldson
PatronJulia 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.
Henry Normal
PatronHenry Normal
PatronAngela Pell
PatronAngela 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.
Joe Wilkinson
PatronJoe Wilkinson
PatronWe 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.
Jess Rad
AmbassadorJess Rad
AmbassadorJess Rad, is a changemaker, award-winning marketer and founder of The WomenHood, a platform devoted to supporting women through the unspoken challenges of womanhood. Jess breaks down societal taboos and social conditioning to advance gender equity in both personal and professional spheres.
Jess draws inspiration from her own life experiences, including premature menopause, motherhood, neurodivergence and divorce. As a dedicated social entrepreneur and speaker, she tackles the often overlooked challenges faced by women today through powerful workshops, content and community. Jess is a co-parent and carer to two children, an ADHDer, SwimRunner, connection-creator and an Unspoken Woman.
Will Ellis
AmbassadorWill Ellis
AmbassadorBest known for playing villainous Theo Hawthorne on BBC’s Eastenders, actor William Ellis is delighted to become an ambassador for Amaze. As a parent to Odie, who has Mowatt-Wilson Syndrome, William understands first hand the difficulties of parenting a child with additional needs and has welcomed the support given by Amaze over the years.
He says: “Amaze were fantastic in helping us get the right support for Odie, and indeed the support we needed as parents; it is a minefield out there trying to ensure you get the best for your child when faced with the obvious challenges that presents parents and their children who have additional needs. Amaze were instrumental in where we are now as a family. Thank you Amaze for being so brilliant”. William is a keen swimmer, having represented GB at Masters Level; and in 2023 he swam the 65km around the island of Jersey in 9hours and 52minutes, raising money for Amaze in the process…
He is swimming the English Channel in 2024, also raising money for Amaze.