Board of Directors & Staff

My professional journey has been within recruitment, working for a leading employment agency on the island delivering employability solutions across a wealth of clients and individuals. After the birth of our son, navigating the intricate web of support systems and services for my child has been a challenging but enlightening experience. Throughout this journey, I've discovered the immense value of community and the unwavering support provided by fellow parents and the island community. I'm deeply committed to advocating for the rights, choices, and independence of individuals and their families and firmly believe in the principles of providing choice & seeing the person first, not just their diagnosis

I have served as a director of Manx MENCAP Limited for more than seven years, also in the role of Honorary Treasurer for a period during that time until recently.

I have a background in accounting and compliance, have worked in the regulated insurance and financial services sector for more than thirty years. I have been involved in the Third Sector for more than twenty years, on the Board of the Manx Foundation for Physically Disabled until this charity was merged with Crossroads IOM; past member and Chair of the Southern Authorities Healthcare Trust Committee until 2012 and past Honorary Treasurer of the Downs Syndrome Group IOM.

I qualified as a Chartered Insurance Practitioner in 1995 and as a Chartered Secretary in 2002. I retired from full time employment in 2016.

I am privileged to be a member and trustee of Manx Mencap Limited, supporting persons with intellectual disabilities, their families, carers and loved ones in these challenging and difficult times and helping to make a positive contribution towards their wellbeing and development. Manx Mencap has a dedicated and talented team of individuals working on behalf of all those vulnerable individuals who might benefit from our support.

I’m an entrepreneur running a cookery school. I came from a
business background having worked in finance and marketing in the
Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands and Canada. Having a son with
autism, my focus has been to make a better life not just for him but
also for other people who are facing similar challenges and do not
necessarily receive the assistance or encouragement they need to
live a fulfilled life. I am acutely aware of the gaps in support for those
on the Island with a learning disability.

Since returning to the Isle of Man in 2001, I have established and
worked with numerous charities and organisations on a voluntary
basis to support those with a learning disability and I am honoured to
be a Director of such a respected charity as Manx Mencap.

I grew up in Ireland and have lived on the Island for 34 years. During this time, I've been involved within the community in various and varied roles. I've been involved with Manx Mencap for over 15 years and my main interest lies in Health and Social Care within the learning disability community. Before my involvement with Manx Mencap, I served in numerous roles within the Isle of Man's Down Syndrome Association.

I am passionate about the right for everyone to be enabled to reach their potential and live a meaningful and fulfilled life, and I'm excited to be part of a new dynamic board who all share the same vision.

I am a mum to 2 lovely boys, Liam (8), and Gael (10). Following Gael's diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, causing autism and learning disabilities, I was propelled into the world of special education and parent advocacy. Before moving back to the Isle of Man in 2021, I lived in Boston where I completed many training opportunities in family leadership and rare disease advocacy. I also completed a fellowship in 2020 at Boston Children's Hospital in their prestigious LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program. 

I have been involved with Manx Mencap since 2022 and actively work to identify and improve social opportunities for school-age children within the community. I helped spearhead our hugely successful Summer Holiday Activity Scheme in Summer 2023 in partnership with Autism in Mann, and we hope to expand our activity scheme offer across all school holidays to support the needs and interests of our school-age members.  

I am hugely passionate about building safe spaces for our community, where children have opportunities to try new activities, and families can come together to connect and share their lived experience. I feel privileged to share this vision with my fellow team mates at Manx Mencap, and honoured to be able to do this hugely important and rewarding work. 

I am mum to Jake (with a diagnosis of Autism and PANS ) and his big sister Kayla who has recently started secondary school.

I had the privilege of joining the Manx Mencap Board in 2022 bringing with me a wealth of experience, over 25 years working in finance, and experience in Operations/HR for the past 10 years.

After spending a number of years fighting for resources for children with additional needs during school holidays, I was left with no choice but to resign from a job I loved, whilst becoming acutely aware of the overwhelming lack of support available for families of adults and children with a learning disability.

I joined Manx Mencap so that I could make a difference to the lives of those living with disabilities on the Isle of Man as well as enhancing the support services available to all of the children/adults and their families.

I have been involved with Manx Mencap for 38 years, coming off the committee 3 years ago and became the Mencap Administrator and Company Secretary at that time. I'm very pleased to see a new younger group get involved with the charity, bringing new ideas and ways to support our Learning disability community.