STRM is governed by an independent Board of Trustees responsible for strategy, safeguarding, financial oversight, and long-term sustainability, in line with Charity Commission guidance (CC3 and CC8).
The Board combines lived experience of disability and caring with professional expertise in finance, HR, safeguarding, IT, and governance. Trustees provide independent challenge and oversight to ensure the charity remains compliant, effective, and focused on its charitable purpose.
STRM is led by a Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for operational delivery, partnerships, safeguarding leadership, and financial management. Delivery is supported by a moderate team of paid staff and trained volunteers, with clear role boundaries, supervision, and escalation routes.
STRM maintains a Designated Safeguarding Lead at executive level, safer recruitment practices, and proportionate financial controls. Trustees oversee budgets, reporting, and risk to ensure public funds are used responsibly and transparently.
STRM is a lived-experience-led charity with strong governance. We are overseen by an independent Board of Trustees and led day-to-day by a Chief Executive Officer, supported by a small staff team and trained volunteers.
We create safe, welcoming spaces where families feel heard, respected, and supported, at their own pace.
Chair of Trustees
Bio
Bob is a retired IT and telecommunications professional with experience in engineering, project management, and service delivery. During his career, he led teams and managed complex projects, developing a strong understanding of quality, data security, and good operational practice.
As Chair of Trustees, Bob supports STRM by providing steady leadership, governance oversight, and challenge, helping ensure the charity remains well-run, accountable, and sustainable.
Trustee &
Joint Vice Chair
Bio
Alison has over 25 years’ experience in HR within the legal services sector, specialising in systems implementation, organisational change, and people management.
As the parent of an autistic young adult, Alison brings lived experience of navigating diagnosis, education, and the transition into adulthood. She supports STRM’s governance and workforce development and has a particular interest in improving employment pathways for neurodivergent young people.
Trustee
& Joint Vice Chair
Bio
Brian is an IT Specialist Engineer and former local councillor with extensive experience in governance, scrutiny, and public accountability. His previous roles include Vice Chair of South Essex Homes and membership of audit, appeals, and development control committees.
Brian currently sits on the Southend Fostering Panel and holds leadership roles within community organisations. As the parent of an autistic and ADHD child, he brings strong advocacy skills and insight into service gaps affecting SEND families.
Trustee
Bio
Clare is the mother of two boys and has extensive experience in recruitment, training, sales, and management, including work with charitable organisations.
She is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion and understands how inclusive cultures strengthen organisations. Through her involvement in Pride and parent support groups, Clare has seen the value of mentoring, shared experience, and flexible approaches to learning and development.
Clare supports STRM with recruitment, workforce development, and organisational growth, helping ensure EDI principles are embedded across the charity.
Trustee
Bio
Simon brings long-standing experience from across the voluntary and community sector, including work in homelessness, food banks, peer support, and community advocacy.
He holds training and qualifications in counselling, mental health, safeguarding, peer support, and suicide and self-harm prevention. Drawing on lived experience of mental health services and neurodivergence, Simon supports STRM’s trauma-informed and co-produced approach to support.
Trustee
Bio
Ann has worked as Road Services Director at Quattro Plant for many years and brings senior leadership experience to STRM.
Alongside her professional career, Ann co-founded the charity HAE UK and later became its Chair. Through this work, she has been involved in fundraising, awareness-raising, and improving understanding of a rare condition, including contributing to national media, broadcasting, and parliamentary discussions.
Ann brings experience in governance, communications, and charity leadership to STRM, alongside first-hand experience of supporting children with additional needs.
Treasurer
Bio
Caroline works as an Accounts Manager and supports STRM as Treasurer, with responsibility for financial oversight and reporting.
As a neurodivergent individual and parent of a neurodivergent child, Caroline brings lived experience that helps inform STRM’s values and decision-making. She uses both her professional skills and personal insight to support the charity’s work and families it serves.
Chief Executive Officer
Bio
Maggie is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of STRM. She established the charity following many years of navigating the SEND system as a parent and experiencing the barriers families face in accessing timely support.
She previously worked for 15 years in financial derivatives and later in healthcare administration. Maggie is a Level 5 Designated Safeguarding Lead, safer recruitment trained, trauma-informed trained, and trained in charity management and charity accounting.
Maggie combines lived experience with strong safeguarding, governance, and financial oversight to ensure STRM delivers safe, trusted, and compliant support.
Administrator & Business Support
Bio
Vicky has experience as an Early Years and Primary school teacher and is the parent of a late-diagnosed autistic teenager.
She brings over 10 years’ experience providing administration and business support to small businesses and charities, supporting STRM’s coordination, systems, and day-to-day operations.
Hr & Wellbeing Administrator
Bio
Family Pathways Coordinator
Bio
Family Support Coordinator
Bio
Family Support Assistant
Bio
Kerry is a parent of two neurodivergent children and has 18 years’ experience working in primary education, supporting children with additional needs.
She also volunteers as a Therapy Dog handler, supporting children with anxiety and communication differences. Kerry brings a calm, practical, and compassionate presence to STRM’s family support work.
Volunteer Coordinator
Bio
Bio
Joan volunteers at STRM and brings many years of experience supporting neurodivergent children and families, both professionally and personally. She has served as Chair of Governors at an inner-city school and as an LEA-appointed governor at a Southend school.
Joan also brings knowledge of family law and has supported families navigating complex issues such as housing, health, and education. She offers calm, practical support to families facing difficult SEND-related challenges.
Bio
Michelle is a parent advocate with lived experience of ARFID and disability within her family. Her personal journey has led her to raise awareness, share her experiences, and support other families facing similar challenges.
She has been involved in local and national awareness work, including contributing to media coverage and participating in parliamentary group discussions on eating disorders.
Bio
Vicki is a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter. She is also a parent of two neurodivergent children and has lived experience as an ADHDer.
Vicki supports STRM by helping ensure communication and support are accessible and inclusive. She also helps deliver and support training, sharing her skills and experience to strengthen understanding and good practice across the charity.
Bio
Charlotte is a parent of two children, one of whom is on the SEND journey, and understands the emotional ups and downs families can experience. She previously worked as a Family Support Worker and now supports STRM through peer-led volunteering.
Charlotte is currently studying autism and children’s mental health and is passionate about supporting families, building skills, and giving back to the community.
Bio
Santanna volunteers with STRM’s online parent support forum. As a parent of neurodivergent children, she understands the barriers families can face in accessing in-person support, particularly when juggling work, caring responsibilities, or health needs. She helps ensure families can access support online in a flexible and welcoming way.
