Our team

Use the tabs to find out more about our staff team, our trustees and our patrons and ambassadors.

Senior Leadership Team

Sally Polanski

Sally Polanski

CEO

Sally Polanski

CEO

I 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

Ros Cook

Head of Services

Ros Cook

Head of Services

As 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

Zoe Brinkworth

Head of Resources

Zoe Brinkworth

Head of Resources

I am Head of Resources for Amaze with responsibility for finance, IT and administration resources. I work part time, usually Monday to Thursday.

Hannah Allbrooke

Hannah Allbrooke

Head of Fundraising & Marketing

Hannah Allbrooke

Head of Fundraising & Marketing

I am responsible for raising money for and awareness of Amaze and what we do. The work of the Fundraising & Marketing team includes working with donors, fundraisers and supporters (like you!), businesses, the press, trusts and foundations and more. I work part time, usually Monday - Thursday.

Compass

Marie Baker

Marie Baker

Compass Card Membership Officer

Marie Baker

Compass Card Membership Officer

I work with Compass and Carers’ Card Partners, negotiating new offers and maintaining current offers across Brighton & Hove

DLA / PIP

Lizzie Batten MBE

Lizzie Batten MBE

Benefits Advice Manager

Lizzie Batten MBE

Benefits Advice Manager

I 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.

Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

Charlotte Moroney

Charlotte Moroney

Communications Manager

Charlotte Moroney

Communications Manager

I 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

Rose Fenge

Comms and Editorial Assistant

Rose Fenge

Comms and Editorial Assistant

I 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

Vicky Baynton-Williams

Content & Community Marketer

Vicky Baynton-Williams

Content & Community Marketer

I 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

Siobhan Collier

Trust & Corporate Fundraiser

Siobhan Collier

Trust & Corporate Fundraiser

I 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

Jhuma Sharma

Individual Giving and Events Fundraiser

Jhuma Sharma

Individual Giving and Events Fundraiser

I 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

Sav Kanagasundaram

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Manager

Sav Kanagasundaram

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Manager

I 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

Siobhan Aggarwal

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

Siobhan Aggarwal

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

I 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.

Nicky Cruttenden

Nicky Cruttenden

ND Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinator

Nicky Cruttenden

ND Senior Administrator and Training Co-ordinator

I 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.

Hattie Yannaghas

Hattie Yannaghas

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

Hattie Yannaghas

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

Boo Vaughan

Boo Vaughan

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

Boo Vaughan

ND Family Training & Navigation Service Worker

I 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

Parent Groups & Befriending

Marie Baker

Marie Baker

Parent Groups & Befriending Manager

Marie Baker

Parent Groups & Befriending Manager

I manage the Parent Groups and Befriending Service across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. We provide peer support to parent carers through regular in person groups, 1-1 peer support befriending, and virtual support through WhatsApp groups and occasional workshops.

Louise Howe

Louise Howe

Support & Engagement Worker

Louise Howe

Support & Engagement Worker

I 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.

Leila Erin-Jenkins

Leila Erin-Jenkins

Support & Engagement Worker

Leila Erin-Jenkins

Support & Engagement Worker

Kathy Johnson

Kathy Johnson

Support & Engagement Worker, Amaze

Kathy Johnson

Support & Engagement Worker, Amaze

As 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

Zoe Luther

Support & Engagement Worker, Amaze

Zoe Luther

Support & Engagement Worker, Amaze

Zoe 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

Darren Walker

Dads Group Coordinator

Darren Walker

Dads Group Coordinator

Hello 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

Ellie H

Ellie H

Data and Performance Manager

Ellie H

Data and Performance Manager

I look after the data collection, reporting and analysis for the majority of Amaze services, I am also the data protection officer.

Nicky Cruttenden

Nicky Cruttenden

Senior Administrator & HR Officer

Nicky Cruttenden

Senior Administrator & HR Officer

I support staff and senior managers with anything administrative including HR, IT and planning training and events.

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown

Administrator

Lisa Brown

Administrator

Laura Tyrrell

Laura Tyrrell

Administrator

Laura Tyrrell

Administrator

Helen Albea

Helen Albea

Adminstrator

Helen Albea

Adminstrator

Lesley Whittal

Lesley Whittal

Finance Officer

Lesley Whittal

Finance Officer

I assist the Head of Resources with the Accounts and HR duties for Amaze as well as general office administration.

SENDIASS

Liam Ryan

Liam Ryan

SENDIASS Manager

Liam Ryan

SENDIASS Manager

I 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

Sally Cristin

SENDIASS Children and Young People worker

Sally Cristin

SENDIASS Children and Young People worker

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.

Gaynor Entwistle

Gaynor Entwistle

SENDIASS Adviser

Gaynor Entwistle

SENDIASS Adviser

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 Advisor, supporting the DLA project manager with helping our families to claim DLA or PIP for their child or young person.

Michelle Bond-Howland

Michelle Bond-Howland

SENDIASS Adviser

Michelle Bond-Howland

SENDIASS Adviser

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

Ivana Magris

Ivana Magris

SENDIASS Adviser

Ivana Magris

SENDIASS Adviser

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

Sue McMillan

Sue McMillan

SENDIASS Adviser

Sue McMillan

SENDIASS Adviser

I 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

Emma Parker

SENDIASS Adviser

Emma Parker

SENDIASS Adviser

I offer information, advice and support to parent carers on the Amaze SENDIASS advice line.

Young People's Team

Ella Burns

Ella Burns

Young People Services Manager

Ella Burns

Young People Services Manager

I 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.

Jem Hadert

Jem Hadert

Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)

Jem Hadert

Amazing Futures Project Co-ordinator (Brighton)

I run the young people’s Amazing Futures Project in Brighton & Hove. Amazing Futures offers one to one peer support to young people with SEND aged 14-25.

Dara Russell

Dara Russell

IAG Coordinator for Amazing Futures Careers

Dara Russell

IAG Coordinator for Amazing Futures Careers

I 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.

Charlotte-Lily Ayres

Charlotte-Lily Ayres

Amazing Futures East Sussex Youth Development Worker

Charlotte-Lily Ayres

Amazing Futures East Sussex Youth Development Worker

I 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

Jade Franks

Amazing Futures Youth / Youth Voice Worker

Jade Franks

Amazing Futures Youth / Youth Voice Worker

I am a youth/youth participation worker for Amazing Futures at AmazeXtra in Portslade and the Brighton and Hove peer support groups.

Serena Cobbinah

Serena Cobbinah

Amazing Futures East Sussex Young People's Intern

Serena Cobbinah

Amazing Futures East Sussex Young People's Intern

I am the current Young People's Intern at Amaze in East Sussex, so I am most often at the Eastbourne office. I help facilitate the groups for the young people who access Amazing Futures, and support the wider team to achieve our mission of helping young people have a safe space to exist freely. My pronouns are She/Her.

Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith

Amazing Futures Youth Worker

Hannah Smith

Amazing Futures Youth Worker

I'm a Youth Worker for Amazing Futures in Brighton & Hove. I facilitate and support young people's groups, as well as helping the rest of the Amazing Futures team with upcoming projects and opportunities. I work Tues, Wed, Thurs. My pronouns are she/her.

Parent Carers Council (PaCC)

Becky Robinson

Becky Robinson

PaCC Chair

Becky Robinson

PaCC Chair

As 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

Paolo Boldrini

PaCC Engagement Coordinator

Paolo Boldrini

PaCC Engagement Coordinator

I 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.

Fiona England

Fiona England

PaCC LD, Social Care and Transitions Lead

Fiona England

PaCC LD, Social Care and Transitions Lead

East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF)

Holly Riley Saxby

Holly Riley Saxby

ESPCF Chair

Holly Riley Saxby

ESPCF Chair

Denise Banks

Denise Banks

Engagement Coordinator, ESPCF

Denise Banks

Engagement Coordinator, ESPCF

Becky Jones

Becky Jones

Admin & Comms Coordinator, ESPCF

Becky Jones

Admin & Comms Coordinator, ESPCF

Karen Davis

Karen Davis

Engagement Coordinator, ESPCF

Karen Davis

Engagement Coordinator, ESPCF

Diana Boyd

Diana Boyd

Chair of Trustees

Diana Boyd

Chair of Trustees

I have a long history with Amaze, as service user, trustee and employee, and was delighted to return to the board of trustees in 2023. Alongside other governance roles, and sitting on the PaCC steering group, I work in the national NHS England SEND team, providing parent carer voice.

Josh Arnold-Jenkins

Josh Arnold-Jenkins

Trustee

Josh Arnold-Jenkins

Trustee

Having 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.

Sally Benson

Sally Benson

Trustee

Sally Benson

Trustee

I 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

Eleanor Clarke

Trustee

Eleanor Clarke

Trustee

I'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.

Eliph Haddert

Eliph Haddert

Trustee

Eliph Haddert

Trustee

Moe Hamdhaidari

Moe Hamdhaidari

Trustee

Moe Hamdhaidari

Trustee

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.

Lewis Melrose

Lewis Melrose

Shadow Trustee

Lewis Melrose

Shadow Trustee

Volunteer peer supporter in Amazing Futures East Sussex

Alison Plant

Alison Plant

Trustee

Alison Plant

Trustee

Jenny Preece

Jenny Preece

Trustee

Jenny Preece

Trustee

As 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.

Mandy Sanderson

Mandy Sanderson

Trustee

Mandy Sanderson

Trustee

Hello, my name is Mandy and I am one of the Trustees with Amaze. One of my children has a genetic disorder called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and, like many families, our journey to diagnosis was a long one. I have been closely involved with a charity called Max Appeal for some years, who provide support and advice for people with 22q11.2 deletion.

I have worked in the NHS for most of my career, working in roles including clinical service management, commissioning, public health and safeguarding. I am a patient/public member in the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit Advisory Group, and my role is to provide a patient ‘voice’ to help shape and feedback on research into the health and social care workforce.

I am looking forward to using my professional experiences in healthcare and personal experiences as a parent carer to support and lead Amaze to continue to provide its wonderful services for children/young adults with SEND in Sussex and their families/carers.

Alex Tindal

Alex Tindal

Trustee

Alex Tindal

Trustee

I 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

Angela Barnes

Angela Barnes

Patron

Angela Barnes

Patron

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.

Julia Donaldson

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.

Henry Normal

Henry Normal

Patron

Henry Normal

Patron

Angela Pell

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.

Joe Wilkinson

Joe Wilkinson

Patron

Joe Wilkinson

Patron

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.

Jess Rad

Jess Rad

Ambassador

Jess Rad

Ambassador

Jess 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

Will Ellis

Ambassador

Will Ellis

Ambassador

Best 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.