Our Team

Our Trustee Board consists of four members. The operational structure includes a Chief Executive Officer, two employed staff members, and volunteers.

Our charity has developed from community support networks of parents who have experienced raising children with specific educational needs and/or disabilities.

Our operational team and dedicated Board of Trustees consist of individuals with lived experience in caring for a disabled child, and we offer a unique perspective. We understand the challenges and needs of our beneficiaries because we have personally gone through similar experiences.

Recognising that some families face difficulties attending in-person sessions for various reasons, such as their specific circumstances, lack of confidence, or financial constraints, we have developed diverse support channels. These include options for participating in online forums and the flexibility to attend appointments or sessions.

Additionally, we provide pop-up walk-in services in different locations to cater to those who may find it challenging to travel to traditional support centres.

As a team rooted in lived experience, we prioritise creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their level of participation, feels valued and receives the support they need. Many of our trustees and volunteers have shared the same experiences as our stakeholders.

Therefore, we understand that being disabled or caring for someone who is disabled can often marginalise those who need help the most.

Vicki

Chair Of Trustees

Bio

Vicki is our Chair of Trustees, a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter, professional trainer and parent of two neurodivergent children. As an ADHDer, she brings valuable lived experience to SEND the Right Message.

Rachel

Trustee

Bio

Rachel King is a qualified professional and teacher with BA (QTS), PG Cert SpLd (Specific Learning difficulties), QB check qualified professional, and 25 years of teaching.

Ben

Trustee

Bio

Ben is a father of three and is deeply passionate about health and well-being. His dedication to this cause is evident in his work with children, having coached his son’s football team for three years. Ben’s background has been in the financial industry for the past 20 years, and he brings his expertise of financial knowledge of bank reconciliations, cash flows, plus project management skills to our organisation.

Tricia

Trustee

Bio

Tricia is an experienced trustee who previously served as a trustee for the local VCSE. She brings her experience working with the voluntary sector, social work, and management and being the mum of a young adult with SEND.

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Trustee

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Trustee

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Trustee

Maggie

CEO

Bio

Maggie Cleary is the co-founder and CEO of STRM. She set up a charity after struggling for years to find suitable support for her neurodivergent children.

Maggie started her career in financial derivatives in London but left the city after having two boys. She then went on to work in healthcare when her children were young.

Recently, Maggie was diagnosed with ADHD, which was an enormously significant turning point and helped her understand that she is ‘wired differently’.

Jo

Manager

Bio

Jo, a mum of three with a background in social and paediatric care and lived experience of SEND. She believes in empowering parent carers with the knowledge to advocate for their child/ren. She recognises in her own experience that it can be overwhelming and complicated. Jo is currently undergoing the process of seeking an ADHD diagnosis to enhance her ability to manage the unique challenges that arise from her differences. She understands we don't all have to be a square peg in a round hole.

Jo

Castle Point & Rochford Engagement Officer

Bio

Jo Houghton joined the team after having her own positive experiences with the charity. She has two autistic children. One child was diagnosed during her time at university, and the other was diagnosed three years ago and also has complex medical conditions.

With 25 years of experience working for HMRC, Jo's role is the Rochford and Castle Point Community Engagement Officer, bringing valuable administrative and HR skills to her role.

Joan

Volunteer

Bio

Joan volunteers at STRM and brings years of experience in supporting neurodivergent children and families, both in family law and within her personal life. She served as Chair of Governors at an inner-city school in Birmingham and has been an LEA adopted governor at a Southend School for the past six years. With a deep understanding of family law, Joan has provided assistance to families in a Pilot Project, helping eight families navigate complex issues such as housing, family law, and challenging medical conditions, shedding light on the intense challenges parents encounter in the SEND system.

Santanna

Volunteer

Bio

Santanna joined the team as a volunteer to assist with administering the Online Parent Support Forum. She enjoys helping parents access online support, especially since, as a parent of a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and understands the difficulties of accessing support due factors like not being able to leave the house or you work full-time. The Online Forum provides parents with an outlet to access support online rather than in person. Santanna has four children; and one is diagnosed Autistic and ADHD, and her other child is on the pathway.

Carol

Volunteer

Bio

Carol volunteers at STRM and is an experienced administrator and accounts manager who has worked in various fast-paced and challenging business and commercial environments. She has grandchildren who are neurodivergent and understands the importance of intergenerational support so her own family can have respite and leisure time.

Coming soon

Volunteer

Bio

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