Our staff and trustees

Zoe provides strategic leadership, ensures financial sustainability and supports the staff team.

Zoe leads on our policy and campaign work  and is our media spokesperson .

Sam leads on the delivery of our policy and communications strategy ensuring the views and issues important to people with a learning disability are heard.

Aled supports our policy and campaign work to ensure the views and issues important to people with a learning disability are heard.

Aled also helps communicate our work and relevant information to our stakeholders.

Kai manages our website and social media, edits our e-newsletter Llais Update, and helps our members with information enquiries.

Kai is also Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in South Wales.  Kai promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers, he also assists in the projects development.

Laura manages on the promotion, delivery and development of our Easy Read Service to ensure information is accessible for people with a learning disability.

Inacia   writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Rhian and Julie to help run our Easy Read Service.

Julie writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Rhian and Inacia to help run our Easy Read Service.

Rhian writes and designs easy read documents for our clients, she works with Laura, Julie and Inacia to help run our Easy Read Service.

Angela is our Engage to Change  Project Manager responsible for the management, monitoring and all public relations for the project’s work.

Gerraint promotes the Engage to Change project by talking to young people and their carers and potential employers and taking part in digital media.   He also supports project Champions and partners.

Simon manages supporting our networks and leads on the delivery of our events and training.

Iwan supports the team with administering our events and marketing and promoting our work and services.  He also ensures our continual engagement with our members, supporters and stakeholders.

Lucy supports the team with developing, organising and promoting our events and networking activity.  Lucy runs our bookings and looks after our speakers and facilitators.

Karen leads on exploring opportunities for developing new projects.  She manages several areas within our 21^St Century People project, as well as our personalised technology community of practice, and developing work from our European LoveLife project.

Karen also manages the Gig Buddies Cymru project, which recently expanded into the whole of North Wales

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Kylie is Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in South Wales.  Kylie promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers.

Sian is Project Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in North Wales.  Sian promotes the project and recruits participants and volunteers.

John is Volunteer Coordinator for our Gig Buddies project in North Wales.

John recruits, supports and develops our volunteers experience.

Danielle supports our Gig Buddies project with administration including processing applications and DBS checks for volunteers and assists the team with organising social events.

Danielle also promotes the project through social media, attending promotional events, publicity materials and gaining photo and video feedback from Gig Buddies.

Jo makes sure that our staff are treated fairly, we have the right policies in place and we strive for continual improvement as an employer. Jo advises the CEO and managers on human resources and governance issues, leads on staff and trustee recruitment, and works with the Chair to ensure of Board of Trustees operates effectively and in line with legal requirements.

Julie provides administrative support to the team, helps  run the office and leads on the ongoing development of our systems and processes to improve the way we work.      

Zhanar manages the monitoring and maintenance of accurate financial and accounting procedures so that the organisation is well run financially and complies with funders, charity and company law requirements.

Nicola is responsible for the day to day running of finance related tasks and assists our Finance Manager so that the organisation is well run financially and complies with funders, charity and company law requirements.

Michael helps us keep our offices clean and tidy.

Tracy’s first career was an equestrian one. Whilst working as Chief Instructor at a Riding for the Disabled centre she became curious about ‘what makes people tick’, and this has been a theme for the rest of her working life!

Tracy lives in Harlech and holds level 7 qualifications in management and equality, diversity and inclusion.  She has worked with people with learning disabilities for approx. 30 years.  She has held a variety of roles throughout her career and is currently Research and Innovation Director for KeyRing where she has worked for many years. Other roles have included outreach, business development, engagement, communication, and marketing.

Tracy has a particular interest in support for people with learning disabilities who find themselves in the Criminal Justice System and is passionate about getting the stories of people who have been poorly served by the system into the domain of decision makers.

What being a trustee means to me

I am passionate about the rights and lives of people with learning disabilities and having worked in charities for over two decades, I know the difference a good board can make! Learning Disability Wales has an ambitious vision, and I am honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with like-minded people.

Steve has recently retired as Chief Executive Officer for Perthyn and has been a trustee since 2010.

Steve has held a number of senior positions in organisations working in the social care sector. Particular skills he brings to Learning Disability Wales are financial management, administration and strategic planning.

Richard has worked in the care sector since 1996. His previous roles have included Support Worker, Registered Manage, Regional Manager, managing a social enterprise café providing training, Shared Lives service manager and currently is the Head of Quality and Compliance at Ategi.

Richard has held management roles since 2004. He has also delivered various training subjects to equip employees with the knowledge and skills to undertake their roles effectively.

Richard has worked with various client groups including people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, people with mental ill health and older people to name a few.

Richard has a passion for providing outstanding care and support and strives to embed his strong values and work practices within the services he is involved in to ensure that people live their best lives, their way!
Richard holds continuous improvement at the forefront of all he does.

What being a trustee means to me

Since I started my career in care in my (late) teens I have always held close my values of supporting people to maintain as much choice, control, autonomy and independence as possible. The role of Trustee means that I can share my passion and commitment to ensuring my values and voices of people with a disability are central to any support provision.

It is a privilege and an honour to be elected as a trustee at Learning Disability Wales.

Professionally Alison offers 26 years of experience of delivering excellent care and support services in line with legislation and policy – working in an inclusive way everyone’s opinion is a valued opinion.  On a personal note she understands the demands and challenges that are felt by an unpaid carer.

What being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales means to me

I am absolutely thrilled to be part of LDW an organisation committed to improving people’s lives and part of shaping the landscape for people with a learning disability – making the right decision for the right people at the right time is a very exciting opportunity. I see this role as extremely important –  “guardians of purpose”

Claire is the Chief executive of Anheddau Cyf a supported living provider based in North Wales.

Having started in her late teens as a Support Worker; in the very organisation where she is now the CEO.

Claire has worked for over 30 years to attain the qualifications to lead and transform services.  Claire has a BSC in Health and Social Care, is Qualified Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Practitioner, and  has extensive experience of managing a large complex Social Services Department before returning to work in Anheddau.

Claire’s heart has always been in finding solutions to enable people to live their most active and enriched life.

With a track record for dealing with difficult situations Claire thrives on finding solutions and always keeps people’s wants and needs at the centre of everything she does, and is very excited about having the opportunity to help influence positive changes in the lives of people with a learning  disability.

What being a trustee means to me:

Since starting my career as a support some 30 years ago ensuring the rights of people with a Learning Disability has always been critical to me as an individual. Having often been the lone voice in senior meetings being a trustee gives me the opportunity to be with like minded individuals ensuring that the voice and choice of individuals are at the heart of all decisions. It’s an absolute privilege to be a trustee.

Al has dedicated more than 27 years to the field of education. Commencing his journey as a lecturer in the sports department, he taught courses ranging from entry level to foundation degree.

In 2016, he assumed the role of Head of School for Vocational Access (Independent Living Skills & Foundation Learning) at Coleg Y Cymoedd. His commitment and expertise led to his appointment as the Director of Learner and Campus Services at Coleg y Cymoedd in 2022.

Al is fervently committed to advancing and enriching learning opportunities for individuals with additional learning needs.

Ramona is the Service Manager for the lifespan Disabilities Service for her Local Authority. She has worked with and for people with learning disabilities for almost 40 years and has worked in a variety of roles within Social Care over that period, including direct care services and Social Work. Ramona qualified as a Social Worker in 2000 completing a Diploma in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She also qualified as a Best Interests Assessor in 2016. Throughout her career Ramona has listened to the people she delivers support for and hopes that this is reflected in the way services have been developed and delivered.

What being a trustee means to me:

The rights of a person with a learning disability to live an ordinary life in their community, with equal opportunities and respect as others, to have a voice and be listened to, are the values I hold dear. After so many years I am looking forward to retirement, but I wish to maintain my involvement in hopefully improving the lives of people with a learning disability and their carer’s, but also my connections with the wonderful people I have worked with for so many years. Learning Disability Wales is an organisation I have great respect for and mirrors my values and passion. I am delighted to be invited to be part of this organisation as a Trustee.

Sana is a Family Support worker at EYST (Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales). Sana comes from an Asian background and recognises that disabilities and learning disabilities have often been stigmatized in some households.

Sana’s mission is to raise awareness and provide resources to diverse communities, empowering families to seek proper care and support at the right time. Sana wants to help create a more inclusive society that values and serves all its members.

What being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales means to me

I look forward to collaborating and contributing to the impactful work of Learning Disability Wales.

Ann is a volunteer for Your Voice Advocacy helping to run social events and supporting others to take part.

Ann is a trainer, she’s completed the ‘train the trainer’ course and holds the Paul Ridd award for delivering training independently.

Ann has delivered training on learning disability and marriage and learning disability awareness for healthcare professionals.  Ann also volunteers with the Ambulance service and gives presentations to learning disability groups.

What being a trustee means to me

Being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales is important to me as I want to give people with a learning disability a voice.  It is also important to me that easy read information is available to everyone with a learning disability.

Laura White has worked in the teaching and social care sector for the last 10 years. In 2014 she started a modern day service: SEND Academy, primarily to help her older brother because he has Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Growing up in a family where her brother had a learning disability, gave her a unique insight into the struggles families can face.

Before starting the academy, Laura achieved a BA Honours in Law at the University of Sussex and went onto study at University of Massachusetts in the USA. After working in London she went onto study at Cardiff University to complete her PGCE. She then became a lecturer at Cardiff and Vale College where she also qualified in British Sign Language L1. Her passion in teaching coupled with her desire to improve the lives of adults with learning disabilities, led her to start the academy.

What being a trustee of Learning Disability Wales means to me

I am very proud to have been elected as a Trustee of such a respected organisation. I feel very honoured to be able to help direct change and improve the lives of individuals with a learning disability.

Stephen is a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Lead in Learning Disability Employment at the National Centre for Mental Health at Cardiff University. Stephen has been a researcher in the field of learning disabilities for more than 30 years carrying out research on policy and social care services. His research has always emphasised finding practical solutions that enhance the quality of life of people with a learning disability. More recently he has worked on supported employment to help people gain paid work, and also to understand best practice in helping young people with a learning disability transition from education to adult life. In all of this Stephen has focused on evidence-base best practice and on “what works”.

What being an Adviser to Learning Disability Wales means to me

I am very pleased to be an Adviser to Learning Disability Wales. This is a time of great opportunity for people with a learning disability but there are also major threats to their services, their independence and their health. I am honoured to be able to contribute to Learning Disability Wales’ work  as an evidence-based organisation and to help them address the rights of people with a learning disability.

Kathryn is Programme Manager for the North Wales Learning Disability Transformation programme. She began working with people with Learning Disabilities in 1990. Her first role was as a Job Coach helping people with a learning disability learn how to do jobs like photocopying, office work and other tasks. She qualified as a Social worker in 1995 and began work with the Learning Disabilities Team in Rhyl. She remained with that team until 2019, firstly as a community social worker, then undertaking resettlement from Bryn Y Neuadd hospital in the early 2000s, and finally progressing to Senior Practitioner and Team Manager. She is seconded from that team to manage the North Wales LD Transformation programme and is currently working with citizens, families, local authority and BCUHB partners to implement the North Wales Learning Disability Strategy.

What being an Adviser to Learning Disability Wales means to me

In North Wales we have a Learning Disability Strategy. People with Learning Disabilities have told us what is important to them. They want good homes, relationships, jobs, good physical and mental health and the chance to be a part of their communities. I am very lucky to be part of the team and wider community whose job it is to embed these rights and coproduce solutions. Being part of Learning Disability Wales fills me with great pride. I see it as an honour to be part of an organisation whose role it is to further the rights and interests of people with Learning Disabilities within Wales, on the national stage and beyond.