Jayne Leeson, MBE Chief Executive Officer Expand Jayne is a born leader. She founded the organisation with a group of people with learning disabilities back in 2002. She provides strategic direction, innovation and courage, which has driven Changing Our Lives to national significance. She was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2014 for Services to People with Learning Disabilities.
Lucy Dunstan Deputy Chief Executive Officer Expand Lucy is highly driven and never loses focus of the bigger picture. She provides strategic leadership and has been instrumental in shaping and developing the organisational brand and vision. She has a wealth of experience leading on rights based, community development and advocacy work that include grass roots, leadership and consultancy roles.
Anne-Marie Glasby Development Officer Expand Anne-Marie is incredibly skilled at communication. Her background in lecturing at universities means that she is a real asset to our training and development programmes. These attributes, along with her perceptive nature and meticulous attention to detail, allow her to scrutinise, appraise and develop projects. Having worked as a nurse, Anne-Marie brings valuable health expertise to the organisation.
Jackie Taylor Development Officer Expand Jackie’s professional experience is vast. Her versatile approach and free-thinking nature make her well-suited to both community and strategic level working. Jackie has a fire in her belly, which ignites her appetite to tackle social injustice. She is non-conformist in her practice, which has spanned the fields of education, health, social care and community development.
Jane Thakoordin Development Officer Expand Jane epitomises community development. As an artist, she is highly creative and uses this ability, alongside her intelligence of people, to skilfully translate a community’s voice into tangible outcomes. She is a political thinker and her evidence-based practice is a thread throughout her professional career, from social work and commissioning to mental health and university lecturing.
Dr Rosalind Frampton Project Officer Expand Rosalind is savvy. She brings a different perspective to the organisation, with her background in neuroscience research. She has a flair for generating innovative ideas and approaches to influence strategic planning, organise imaginative events and write successful funding bids.
Siraaj Nadat, BEM Senior Quality of Life Facilitator Expand Siraaj is an experienced and inspirational speaker and works locally, regionally and nationally in the field of disability. He has worked with the Department of Health, Healthwatch England and is heavily involved in the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) Programme. Siraaj was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2017 for Services to People with Disabilities in the West Midlands.
Katy Evans Quality of Life Facilitator Expand Katy is extremely knowledgeable around disability rights issues. She has advised on government policy and was heavily involved in the 2014 Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reforms in the Children and Families Bill, whilst completing her Disability Studies degree. She is experienced in advocating and supporting young people and their families through the Education, Health and Care Plan process.
Monique Mehra Quality of Life Facilitator Expand Monique is a role model for young adults. As a governor and a mentor in a local school, she supports young disabled people through transition to achieve ordinary life outcomes. She is a dedicated member of the team who is committed to developing her skills and knowledge. She also works for Care Quality Commission as an Expert by Experience.