Meet The Staff
A short introduction to our Office Staff and Trustees who help make the group the success that it is.
Patricia Allison
Pat is the Manager/Coordinator of the group. She is married to Bobbie and has two sons - Andrew who has Cerebral Palsy and Jamie who is a whiz with anything technical.
Pat, who was a committee member for Friends of Thornhill School and then a Governor for Catcote School, was a founder member of the group working for many years in a voluntary capacity before being employed in her present role. Her experience, specialist knowledge, organisation skills and dedication are an enormous asset to the group. In addition to her full-time paid employment, Pat volunteers much of her own time (and that of her family and friends) to ensuring the group provides all that is required to ensure success.
Susan Ward
Sue is one of our two part-time administration assistants and, like Pat, was a founder member of the group and worked several years in a voluntary capacity, before her present employment.
At present Sue is also treasurer of MENCAP and is regional rep for the northern region of the Tuberous Sclerosis group. Sue is married to Kevin and they have a son, Billy, with Tuberous Sclerosis which means that Sue, in addition to her indispensable typing skills, brings first hand specialist knowledge of Billy´s condition to the group.
Julie Parker
Julie is the other of our two administration assistants. She is married to Geoff and has two daughters, Jessica and her younger sister Katie.
Julie´s involvement in all aspects of the group has given her much experience in working with our members. This experience and the knowledge gained, together with Julie´s essential office skills, make her an invaluable member of the office staff.
Meet The Trustees
Loraine Potts
Loraine works tirelessly as Chair of the Trustees. Her enthusiasm and passion rubs off on everyone involved.
In addition to her work as Trustee Loraine runs the very popular drama group entitled "Constellation". Loraine is married to Leo and has three sons. Jamie is the eldest, Shaun has Muscular Dystrophy and the youngest, James, has Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. Loraine is Treasurer for the Muscular Dystrophy Group and is in full time employment as a Teaching Assistant with children with special needs. She is passionate about the group and her specialist knowledge and experience is invaluable.
Margaret Monk
Margaret is Secretary of the Trustees, retired from a large comprehensive school as Administrative Assistant.
She is married to Chris and has two sons, Richard who has Down´s Syndrome plus a severe hearing loss and his younger brother Jonathan. Margaret has been a member of the group for approximately 12 years and has had many years´ experience as secretary to the North East Down´s Association and to other local groups including The Keep Fit Association, and the Speech and Language Group (SLIC). Her experience, specialist knowledge, secretarial and IT skills, which are often in great demand, are a great asset to the group.
Melanie Dunn
Melanie has the position of Treasurer of the Trustees and is married to Phil. Her eldest daughter, Livvy, who has Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, Autism and Epilepsy, has been a member of the group for several years.
Livvy´s younger sister Alice also enjoys many of the group´s activities. In her spare time Melanie is employed as a Teaching Assistant in a local school, supporting a child with Autism and has given many voluntary hours to helping the members of the Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group. Melanie´s experience and expertise make her a greatly valued Trustee.
Laura Baker
Laura is the youngest member of the Trustees. She is married to Gary and has two sons.
Matthew, who is the eldest, has Down´s Syndrome, which has been complicated by a variety of health problems including atlanto-axial instability. His younger brother Owen often accompanies Matthew to group activities. Laura works as a Teaching Assistant with SEN responsibilities and is a very keen member of the Trustees bringing fresh ideas, the benefit of her experiences and much specialist knowledge to the group.
Doreen Bridson
Doreen is married to Ken and has three daughters. Lucy, the youngest, has Down´s Syndrome and although she had major heart surgery when a baby is now fit, well and very active.
Her two eldest daughters Sally and Wendy live away from home but the family remain in regular contact. Doreen retired from her teaching post in a Stockton primary school at the end of December so we are fortunate that she has volunteered some of her retirement time to be a Trustee. Her teaching skills and knowledge of Down´s Syndrome make her a very welcome addition to the team of Trustees.
Julie Carter
Julie is the most recent member of the trustees.
She lives with her partner Steve and has three children. Sam, who is the middle child, has Down's syndrome and attends the toddler/support group weekly with Amy his younger sister. Thomas, the eldest, also enjoys many of the group's activities.
In her spare time Julie attends training sessions relevant to disability and services to help benefit herself and other parents; she often gives many voluntary hours from her busy schedule to help Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group.