Providing Community Support and Social Inclusion for Disabled Children and Young People
Council Members
Ben Corrigan, Chair
Ben has been on the Council of Management for approximately ten years
and became Chair of the organisation in 2004. Ben lives in Clapton and
works as a Business Development Manager for DHL Express. Ben was
introduced to HFBU by a friend of his and learnt through her and her son
how valuable and necessary the services we provide are for the families
that we work with.
Phil Evans, Company Secretary
Phil has been on the Council of Management since April 2004 and during
this time has been elected vice-chair and Company Secretary. Phil lives
in Bethnal Green and works in the City as a Project Director for a
global Insurance firm. Phil was keen to be able to use his long
established business skills for the benefit of local community projects
with people centred outcomes and finds HFBU a perfect fit in fulfilling
these aims.
Christoph Hobo, Treasurer
Christoph joined the board in September 2003 and took over the treasury
function in January 2004. He studied business administration and finance
and started his career with UBS Investment Bank. He now works for
Cinven, a European private equity company.
"Coming from a finance background driven by financials and facts, it is
a highly enriching experience getting involved with HFBU and its cause.
It has changed my perception towards disabilities in many respects".
Stephen Cooper
Stephen Cooper lives in South East London and is a Human Resources
Policy Consultant for the City of London Corporation.
"I was made aware
of HFBU through the organisation I work for, and hope that my knowledge
and skills in HR can help to support HFBU staff, and thereby the
services that are provided."
Diane Heywood
Diane has lived and worked in Hackney for most of the last 25 years. A
social worker by profession, her focus remains on the welfare of
children who need protection and support. She has managed a Sure Start
early support programme in the heart of Hackney's Muslim and Orthodox
Jewish communities. This now forms part of the Children's Centre at
Tyssen Community School, where her current role is Extended and
Community Services Manager. This role gives her the opportunity to make
sure that children with a disability are included in the services
offered at the Children's centre. Diane is a grandmother and spends a
lot of her time with her family.
June Martin
"My name is June Martin I am a parent of a child with Autism
and can empathise with other parents whose children have additional
needs. I am therefore pleased to join the council of management
committee for Hackney Family BackUp, which is passionate about
empowering parents whose children have additional needs."
Sue Windross
Sue Windross is a Hackney Headteacher and has lived in Hackney for 25
years. She has three grown up children who all live in the Borough and
went to school here. Her husband is the Chair of the Homerton Hospital
and a priest.
"My experience of working in the field of education with children who
have special educational needs makes me value the work that families and
their support network bring to the life experiences of children. Without
the support that groups like Hackney Family Back up provide, many of our
children and their families would not be able to cope as well as they
do."
Ann Marie Dawkins
Ann Marie Dawkins is one of our parents.
Staff Members
Sheila Ramdular, Director
Since graduating in 1982 Sheila has worked in the voluntary care sector,
including 6 years as the Director of a charity in Islington. She has a
management diploma and is the mother of a young person with ADHD.Gillian Goodchild, Homesitting and Volunteer Co-ordinator
Gillian is a psychology graduate with many years experience of
coordinating volunteers working with disabled or sick children. She is
also a qualified librarian who worked for a while in a specialist
library for SEN professionals.Catherine Love, Volunteer Co-ordinator
Catherine has worked in
the health care sector for over 8 years and as a team leader for a
domiciliary care agency for 2 years. She has a degree in social science
and regularly babysits for her nephew and niece with Cystic Fibrosis.Martina McLachlan, Admin Worker (p/t)
Martina joined the team at HFBU after working for an educational charity
for over five years. She is in the office daily from 9.15am - 2.45pm
and will be your first point of contact. She has two young children and
lives in Hackney.Elizabeth Narasimha, Family Placement Social Worker
Elizabeth has experience working with children with and without disabilities,
families in crisis, grieving children, young mothers and unaccompanied minors.
She holds a Bachelors degree in social work and a Masters degree in
international social work and refugee studies.Tess Pearson, Temporary Family Support Co-Ordinator
Tess has recently joined the team as the new Toy Library Worker. She
also works with children and young people with disabilities and their
families as an Outreach Playworker for KIDS, and as a Playworker at two
adventure playgrounds. Tess has a degree in Fine Art and is currently
studying towards a certificate of Applied Psychology.Deborah Walsh, Office Manager (p/t)
Deborah has 9 years experience of working with children and adults wih special
needs. She worked at Federation of Artistic and Creative Therapy (FACT) for 9
years as a volunteer, Multi-Sensory Facilitator and Project Manager. She holds
an honours degree in Sociology and has completed a project management course.
HFBU never make direct appeals to the public for funding. If you receive an e-mail requesting
financial assistance that you think might be from us please contact us immediately.