Senior Leadership Team
Sally Polanski
CEOSally Polanski
CEOI am responsible for ensuring Amaze is operating in line with its mission, values and strategic plan and securing the best possible opportunities for the organisation, and outcomes for families we seek to support. I make sure we run effectively, efficiently and ethically, making best use of our resources and safeguarding the financial sustainability of the charity. I represent Amaze externally at a strategic level and provide leadership and senior management support to the staff team. I am accountable to the Amaze Board of Trustees.
Ros Cook
Head of ServicesRos Cook
Head of ServicesAs Head of Services, I am the overall manager for Amaze’s advice, information and support services for parents and young people across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. My role is to help the Amaze team offer the best service they can to parents and young people, and to keep things running smoothly. But I like to keep a direct link with young people and parents so you may catch me at a youth session sometimes or meet me running a workshop. I joined the Amaze team more than twenty years ago after using Amaze's information as a parent myself. I work Monday to Thursday.
Zoe Brinkworth
Head of ResourcesZoe Brinkworth
Head of ResourcesI am Head of Resources for Amaze with responsibility for finance, IT and administration resources. I work part time, usually Monday to Thursday.
Hannah Allbrooke
Head of Fundraising & MarketingHannah Allbrooke
Head of Fundraising & MarketingCompass
Laura Tyrrell
Compass Senior AdministratorLaura Tyrrell
Compass Senior AdministratorI administer the Compass disability register, dealing with enquiries and processing registrations.
DLA / PIP
Lizzie Batten MBE
Benefits Advice ManagerLizzie Batten MBE
Benefits Advice ManagerI manage the benefits team at Amaze, supporting parents and young people to claim DLA and PIP. As well as being a bit of a disability guru, I am passionate about helping families and young people get the support they deserve. This can be via workshops and written resources, or one to one help, by email, over the phone, or face to face.
As our longest standing member of staff, I also get involved in lots of different aspects of Amaze work. I work full time.
Gaynor Entwistle
Benefits Team AdvisorGaynor Entwistle
Benefits Team AdvisorI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the advice line and help deliver SENDIASS workshops. I also work as a Benefits Advisor, supporting the DLA project manager with helping our families to claim DLA or PIP for their child or young person.
Nicola Keene
DLA and PIP Project AdministratorNicola Keene
DLA and PIP Project AdministratorDLA and PIP Project and Administrator. Also administrating our DBS checks for Amaze Volunteers.
Laura Tyrrell
DLA AdministratorLaura Tyrrell
DLA AdministratorI provide admin support for the DLA and PIP project.
Fundraising, Marketing and Communications
Charlotte Moroney
Communications ManagerCharlotte Moroney
Communications ManagerI manage this website and all our information resources for parent carers including our fact sheets, in-depth resources and newsletter. I also manage the Comms & Editorial Assistant to produce resources for young people. I am passionate about producing clear, engaging and accessible content about special educational needs and disability, and working in partnership with parents and young people to ensure our information meets their needs.
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.
Siobhan Collier
Trust & Corporate FundraiserSiobhan Collier
Trust & Corporate FundraiserI create and cultivate our partnerships with local and national businesses who want to support Amaze. I also apply for grant funding through trusts and foundations.
I work part time, Mon-Wed.
Jhuma Sharma
Individual Giving and Events FundraiserJhuma Sharma
Individual Giving and Events FundraiserI work in the Fundraising & Marketing team, please get in touch if you are interested in Individual Giving or Event fundraising. I can help with things like single donations, cake sales, pub quizzes, community events, running races, treks or any challenge. I work part-time, usually Monday - Thursday.
ND Family Support Service
Sav Kanagasundaram
ND Family Training & Navigation Service ManagerSav Kanagasundaram
ND Family Training & Navigation Service ManagerI manage the Neurodevelopmental Pathway (ND) Family Training and Navigation Service for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
We provide support to local parent carers with children and young people under 25, before and after their assessments for a neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD and tics/Tourettes. NHS Sussex commission Amaze to coodinate this service for local families.
I work part-time, usually Monday to Thursday.
Siobhan Aggarwal
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerSiobhan Aggarwal
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerI am a navigation advisor and training facilitator for the Neurodevelopmental Pathway (ND) Family Training and Navigation Service for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. We provide support to local parent carers with children and young people under 25, before and after their assessments for neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD and tics/Tourettes. NHS Sussex commission Amaze to coordinate this service for local families. I work part-time, usually Monday and Tuesday.
Helen Albea
ND Family Training & Navigation Service Admin AssistantHelen Albea
ND Family Training & Navigation Service Admin AssistantI provide admin support for the Amaze Family Training and Navigation team. I am an East Sussex parent carer and I have previously worked in the Amazing Futures youth team in East Sussex.
Nicky Cruttenden
ND Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinatorNicky Cruttenden
ND Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinatorI support staff and senior managers with anything administrative including HR, IT and planning training and events. I also organise the training and administration for the ND Family support service.
Boo Vaughan
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerBoo Vaughan
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerI am a navigation advisor and training facilitator for the Neurodevelopmental (ND) Family Training and Navigation Service for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. We provide support to parent carers with children and young people under 25, before and after their assessments for neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD and tics/Tourette's. I work part-time, usually Monday to Thursday
Hattie Yannaghas
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerHattie Yannaghas
ND Family Training & Navigation Service WorkerParent Groups & Befriending
Marie Baker
Parent Groups & Befriending ManagerMarie Baker
Parent Groups & Befriending ManagerSandra Chitty
Support & Engagement WorkerSandra Chitty
Support & Engagement WorkerI am part of the parent groups and befriending team
I run the Whitehawk Parent Group and the WhatsApp peer support groups for Whitehawk and Supported Living.
I also oversee the wellbeing activities for all our Parents in Brighton and East Sussex.
I really enjoy my role in Whitehawk, meeting families and encouraging them to find solutions and to keep going !
Louise Howe
Support & Engagement WorkerLouise Howe
Support & Engagement WorkerI 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.
Kathy Johnson
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeKathy Johnson
Support & Engagement Worker, AmazeAs Support and Engagement Worker, I deliver the parent groups and befriending project in East Sussex, working closely with the service manager and team. My role includes running in-person monthly groups in term time in Eastbourne, Hastings, Heathfield and Uckfield. I am also part of training up and managing a team of befrienders. I take referrals and match parent carers with befriender volunteers and/or join them to the various groups. I also created and am a group admin of the WhatsApp groups - Kids Squad, Escape and the Brunch Club.
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.
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.
Resources
Lisa Brown
AdministratorLisa Brown
AdministratorNicky Cruttenden
Senior AdministratorNicky Cruttenden
Senior AdministratorI support staff and senior managers with anything administrative including HR, IT and planning training and events. I also organise the training and administration for the ND Family support service.
Ellie H
Data and Performance ManagerEllie H
Data and Performance ManagerI look after the data collection, reporting and analysis for the majority of Amaze services, I am also the data protection officer.
Lesley Whittal
Finance OfficerLesley Whittal
Finance OfficerI assist the Head of Resources with the Accounts and HR duties for Amaze as well as general office administration.
SENDIASS
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 advisers operate an advice line Monday-Friday, supported by a team of volunteers. The service is open to parent carers and to young people with SEND with queries about education, health, social care and other issues related to special educational needs. SENDIASS can be contacted by email [email protected] or phone 01273 772289
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.
Gaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS AdvisorGaynor Entwistle
SENDIASS AdvisorI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the advice line and help deliver SENDIASS workshops. I also work as a Benefits Advisor, supporting the DLA project manager with helping our families to claim DLA or PIP for their child or young person.
Michelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS AdviserMichelle Bond-Howland
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline.
Ivana Magris
SENDIASS AdviserIvana Magris
SENDIASS AdviserI offer information, advice and support to parents and carers on the helpline
Kacey 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 AdvisorEmma Parker
SENDIASS AdvisorI offer information, advice and support to parent carers on the Amaze SENDIASS advice line.
Young People's Team
Ella Burns
Young People Services ManagerElla Burns
Young People Services ManagerI oversee our youth services for young people with SEND aged 14-25 in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, as well as managing our fantastic young people's team and sessional youth workers. My background is in the arts, community engagement and working with children and young people. I work Tuesday- Friday, usually in the Brighton office or in Eastbourne once a fortnight, but I also like to stay connected to the amazing young people we work with so you may meet me at one of clubs. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss partnerships, projects or anything to do with our youth services.
Charlotte-Lily Ayres
Amazing Futures East Sussex Youth Development WorkerCharlotte-Lily Ayres
Amazing Futures East Sussex Youth Development WorkerI am the Youth Development Worker for Amazing Futures East Sussex. Within my role I support young people to attend and run our social groups, have their voices heard by a range of organisations and people and take part in new activities and projects. As a young disabled woman I am passionate about young people having a safe place to be unapologetically them and express themselves and their opinions. I usually work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. My pronouns are She/Her.
Jade Franks
Amazing Futures Youth / Youth Voice WorkerJade Franks
Amazing Futures Youth / Youth Voice WorkerI am a youth/youth participation worker for Amazing Futures at AmazeXtra in Portslade and the Brighton and Hove peer support groups.
Claire Piper
Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)Claire Piper
Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (East Sussex)I coordinate the young people’s Amazing Futures Project for East Sussex. Amazing Futures is a free youth-led project, connecting SEND young people aged 14-25 and empowering them to have a place where their voices are heard and valued, where they can be unapologetically themselves.
I have been working in community-based arts projects in East Sussex for many years, am a parent carer of a wonderful neurodiverse young man. It is a joy and a privilege to work with the incredible young people that access Amazing Futures.
Call me directly on 07484915038 or email. I work flexibly part time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Dara 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. 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 the service can be contacted via email at [email protected] or you can call me on 07485 345903.
Parent 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.
Vicky Baynton-Williams
PaCC CommunicationsVicky Baynton-Williams
PaCC CommunicationsI 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.
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, ESPCFDiana Boyd
Chair of TrusteesDiana Boyd
Chair of TrusteesI was delighted to rejoin the Amaze board of trustees in May 2023, after a long break during which time I worked for Amaze as part of the Parent Carer Council (PaCC). I still sit on the PaCC steering group and now work for NHS England in the national SEND team as family carer advisory.
Josh Arnold-Jenkins
TrusteeJosh Arnold-Jenkins
TrusteeHaving been aware of the incredible work amaze do since 2000 and having been a user of there services as a child I felt it only right to join the board of Trustees in 2024 to continue to work with an organisation that support the lives of so many of our community’s. My Professional background is in that of children’s Mental Health and social care as an independent Consultant.
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.
Sally Benson
TrusteeSally Benson
TrusteeI joined Amaze in 2023 and am so impressed with the work they do and difference they make . It is great to be a part of this. I am part of the NHS England’s National Team for those with Learning Disability and Autistic People.
Eleanor Clarke
TrusteeEleanor Clarke
TrusteeI'm very happy to join the trustee team and support the amazing and respected work of Amaze Sussex. I have a long background working in the charity sector and in particular I am looking forward to lending my experience in youth voice and engagement, data and impact and strategy.
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
TrusteeMoe 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.
Alison Plant
TrusteeAlison Plant
TrusteeJenny Preece
TrusteeJenny Preece
TrusteeAs a new Trustee I am really excited to have the chance to support Amaze in the important work it does with children, families and young people. I live in Brighton and have recently joined University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust as Deputy Director for Strategy, after more than 20 years working in government policy.
Alex Tindal
TrusteeAlex Tindal
TrusteeI am honoured to be able to help to provide critical services to the local the community. My family received support so I know first hand how important it is.
My background is an IT Director in Financial Services
Fungi 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.
Lewis Melrose
Shadow TrusteeLewis Melrose
Shadow TrusteeVolunteer peer supporter in Amazing Futures East Sussex
Angela 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.