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Our Team

One of the things that makes ADD-vance special is that all our team members are parents of children affected by ADHD, Autism or other related conditions. We are unique in bringing a parent’s perspective and pragmatism to our work while all team members are qualified and trained in their specialist area, to ensure that all our services are provided to a high professional standard. Our team includes specialists from psychology, social work, teaching, nursing and more besides.

Our Trustees

Nick Dilworth

BA (Hons), ACA

Chair of Trustees

Nick was inspired to get into working with ADD-vance after hearing about their great work through a friend. His passion for working with charities runs in the family as his father has spent over 30 years advising and assisting not-for-profit organisations. Nick is a professional Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales having qualified with Deloitte LLP. Nick has spent over 15 years working in Banking and Capital Markets in Compliance and Audit roles, currently with Winterflood Securities, part of the Close Brothers Group. Nick lives in St. Albans with his wife, two children and a very excitable Hungarian Vizsla called Peggy. 

Pamela Reitemeier

Charity Governance Specialist and Expert by Experience

Trustee

Pamela has over a decade of experience in charity governance, having been a Board Member of the National Autistic Society (NAS), Member of the Education, Quality and Development Committee and Chair of Governors at the NAS Special School in Hertfordshire. She worked for ADD-vance for many years in training, strategic planning, bid writing and recruitment. Prior to this, she worked for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, in the UK, Chad and Bangladesh. She is a parent to 3 adults, one of whom is autistic.

Laura Walker

HR Specialist

Trustee

Laura joined the board of ADD-vance in 2020 to offer her HR expertise and knowledge in order to help ADD-vance support and develop the team. She is a mum of two, a wife and the business owner of Fresh Solutions HR.

Laura is passionate about employee wellbeing and truly believes that if employers can create a healthy, loyal and empowered workforce, it will then be fundamental to their success. She loves HR, people, communicating and resolving problems.

Liz West

Trustee

Liz believes that everyone should be supported to have the same opportunities and experiences no matter what. With this in mind she has been lucky enough to have worked within a number of organisations and charities with a similar ethos. In 2020 she was pleased to have been given the opportunity to get involved with ADD-vance as a Trustee, and hopes she can support the charity to continue to develop their excellent services.

Liz currently works as a project manager in the NHS and brings her knowledge of both local authority and NHS to the group. 

The Office Team

Debbie Wood

MBA(Exe), BA(Hons)

Chief Executive Officer
Debbie is a passionate believer in the importance of local charities and the benefits they provide to individuals and families. She has devoted her whole career to working in the Hertfordshire voluntary sector in agencies that support people to fulfill their potential. The work of ADD-vance and the impact it makes inspired her to join the Team in 2020, where she feels she has been given the privilege of leading the charity into its next phase of success. Outside work, Debbie is a busy mum to her two children and when she is not being their taxi driver, she loves to bake anything with chocolate in.
Mel Peeke - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer

Melanie Peeke

MA, Human Sciences

Specialist Autism and ADHD Lead, Facebook Admin

Mel has a background in corporate training and development and like so many of us went into motherhood thinking she had everything sussed. When life threw a few curve balls at her and she ended up finding parenting more difficult than expected, she found fantastic support from local schools and charities (including ADD-vance) to help her bring out the best in her autistic daughter and really enjoy family life. She is absolutely passionate about the positive impact of parenting courses in helping to build a sense of community, provide a supportive place to share ideas and allow time for reflection. Mel has been involved with ADD-vance since 2010 and is one of the founding members for our sister group – Spectrum Girls.

Jo Miller

Coaching and Training Administration Lead

Jo has joined the ADD-vance team with first-hand experience of using all of our services to help support her own children and as such knows just how much difference ADD-vance can make. She brings with her a solid background in administration and has also worked previously as a Learning Support Assistant for children with special needs. In her spare time, Jo enjoys being active, including dog walks with the family, and loves getting lost in a good book or film.

Andrea Horne

Training Administration
With two teenage children (and a cat!) keeping her on her toes, Andrea’s motivation to work with ADD-vance comes from her desire to see families like her own supported to thrive. Having joined ADD-vance in 2013, Andrea is determined to ensure that we get all our processes and systems in the best possible shape to help us efficiently and effectively support our members. Drawing on her experience of working in account management and keen eye for innovation, she is always on the lookout for new ways to improve our back office support to keep everything up to date.  When she is not knee deep in statistics and reports, Andrea loves to travel the world with her favourite adventures being in the U.S.

Lisa Worrell

Helpline Administration

Lisa lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and their five children. Together with her oldest son, and amazing team of volunteers, Lisa launched The Junior Reptile and Amphibian Club for Enthusiasts in 2016. The club invites children from all over the county and beyond to share their passion for everything reptilian. Opportunities to meet snakes, frogs, lizards, bugs and much more, the monthly free educational club welcomes over 80 children each month.  

With a calm and enthusiastic approach to whatever life throws at her, Lisa believes that honesty, compassion and self belief, (not forgetting a sprinkling of laughter), is key to achieving great things.

Jamie Brown

Volunteer
Jamie is a Psychology and Counselling undergraduate at Middlesex University with a keen interest in ADHD and mental health. Diagnosed with ADHD himself as a child, and now dad to four fabulously neurodiverse children, Jamie has plenty of first-hand experience of both the high and lows of ‘thinking differently’.  He is particularly passionate about using his charisma and creativity to improve ADHD support in schools.

Miriam Shabetai

BSc (Hons)

Volunteer

Miriam is a recent Psychology graduate from the University of Birmingham, with a growing interest in the field of Autism, ADHD and mental health. She joined the team at ADD-vance this summer to help make a difference to families in Hertfordshire.

As well as volunteering at ADD-vance, Miriam is working as a Support Worker for Partners in Support and is an honorary research assistant for a study investigating Sleep and Autism in Birmingham.

Neurodiversity Employment Advisers

Laura Bell

Neurodiversity Employment Adviser

With a keen interest in neurodiversity and background in HR, and having been supported by ADD-vance’s courses and coaching as a parent, Laura was excited to get involved with the Neurodiversity in Employment project. Previously, Laura worked in HR in both the voluntary and commercial sectors and was a Trustee with Electric Umbrella for 4 years. Laura decided to leave her HR role last year to set up her own HR & neurodiversity consultancy. She is on a mission to make employers neurodiverse inclusive by the time her children are of working age and feels working with ADD-vance is a perfect fit for her.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys singing for a glee choir, walking in nature with her dog and helping her children discover and harness their unique strengths.

Lincoln Tapper

BA(Hons) Diploma in Careers Guidance

Neurodiversity Employment Adviser

Lincoln has twenty years experience working with children, young people and adults in a number of roles within a variety of schools and colleges.  He has also worked in the community providing Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).  He is very passionate about careers guidance and its ability to improve the lives of all people. Lincoln’s interest in SEND began 20 years ago as a trainee Careers Adviser. He has also developed an interest in the social justice intersection between people of colour and neurodiversity. He is a husband and a father to an autistic son who has enriched his life in many ways.  

The Training & Coaching Team

Dan Adams

BA (Hons), Level 3 Teaching Qualification

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach, EHCP Specialist

Dan is a Dad to 3 awesome, neurodiverse young people who all have a diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD. Dan himself has a diagnosis of ADHD and is happy to bring his real-world experience to the table. Over the past decade, he has developed substantial understanding and appreciation of these conditions and how to relate them to different families on differing journeys and brings his experience and expertise in his role as Specialist Autism/ADHD Coach and Trainer. Dan is a clear and down to earth communicator, is also a full-time lecturer at a local College and brings care and compassion to his role.

Dan also has significant expertise in the EHCP process and maintenance, being part of the team (alongside Bridget) that transitioned them from Statements of SEN to Education, Health and Care plans as an Independent SEN Adviser. With his experience as both a parent and teacher, he is able to bring these together when supporting with EHCP applications.

Catherine Ainsworth - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer

Catherine Ainsworth

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer, Website Admin

Catherine was first inspired to volunteer when she attended the 6 week parent Time Out course and the rest, as they say, is history. Catherine’s background in digital marketing and being Yorkshire in no way prepared her for the trials and tribulations of life as the parent of kids with ADHD and Autism but like so many others has found that you become an expert pretty quickly! Catherine provides parent training and also works behind the scenes on website improvements and other marketing projects.

Helen Collins

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach

Helen discovered ADD-vance almost 10 years ago when she was searching for help and advice to support her family. So inspired by the amazing team at ADD-vance, she was keen to be more involved, and subsequently trained to become a specialist coach. Helen really enjoys supporting parents by working on strategies around their specific needs, and helping to build their confidence to improve family life.

Joanna Daw

B.Ed (Hons)

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Jo first came to ADD-vance after both her children were diagnosed with a combination of ADHD and Autism, having previously worked as a primary school teacher.  She expressed interest in joining the team as a coach and trainer and hasn’t looked back! Jo is passionate about all things ADHD and Autism.  She is very open and honest about the delights and challenges that come with living in a neuro-diverse family.  She loves working with families along their journey, and helping them to feel confident and empowered, alongside working with schools to improve awareness and understanding.

Jeanette Farrow

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach

Jeanette is a mum of twins and feels very lucky to have a boy and a girl! When she discovered her daughter had a neuro-diverse condition, Jeanette found ADD-vance and had coaching to help manage and understand her daughter’s behaviour. The coaching completely changed their relationship and Jeanette gained new insight into what her daughter was going through. She felt so privileged to  have received this help and now wants to help others in a similar situation.

Jeanette also works part time for an adult hospice running a project helping lonely and socially isolated vulnerable people, but before having the twins she was a social worker with various roles including managing children’s homes, running a child protection team in London and being the Children’s Service Manager for a children’s hospice. Jeanette thoroughly enjoys working with people, no matter what age or situation.

Eleanor Griffiths

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach

Eleanor started her career working in IT in the City but then became a full time parent to two neurodiverse children who are now teenagers. She first became involved with ADD-vance when her eldest child was in the process of being diagnosed with ASD and ADHD almost a decade ago. Since then ADD-vance have continued to be a lifeline to Eleanor and she has been an active member of the ADD-vance community.  Eleanor is passionate about empowering parents to advocate for their children and have the confidence they need to enable their children to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Karen Hannan

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

With a background in education, advocacy and mental health, Karen is passionate about ADD-vance training and coaching after its phenomenal impact on her own amazing, neurodiverse family.  She focuses on identifying the strengths and passions of neurodiverse individuals and families, to enable healthier and happier outcomes. 

Karen is diagnosed with ASD and ADHD herself.  The combination of lived experience, reflective skills and extensive knowledge regarding neurodiversity provides a unique perspective.  Her ability to relate theory to relevant real life practice, enables families to move from helplessness to understanding, acceptance and hope.

Kirsty North - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer & Coach

Kirsty Lemare

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Kirsty is a mum to two lively, crazy and hilarious little boys and one little girl, as well as a writer, comedian and technology whizz. Kirsty’s eldest son was diagnosed with ADHD and a sleep disorder at six, and her husband also has ADHD, which whilst incredibly tough at times has allowed (forced) her to really get to grips with supporting the boys through the unique set of challenges they face. Kirsty’s aim is to support families and young people with ADHD and Autism and help them to build their self-esteem and confidence. Kirsty deeply believes that a confident child is a child with a great future regardless of the challenges they face, and her aim is to do as much as she can to combat that negativity and help parents and children feel supported and accepted.

Bridget Livsey

BA (Hons), PG Cert Autism

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach
Independent SEN Adviser
Bridget is an autistic and ADHD mother of three amazing, unique young men. Over the past two decades, Bridget has developed substantial understanding of autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and anxiety, both in her lived experience within her neurodivergent family and through post-graduate study and research. Bridget is a clear and empathic communicator, born from her first career in journalism, and brings compassion and care to her work with both parents and professionals. Bridget is particularly passionate about supporting parents in navigating SEN law and EHCP processes. She draws on her extensive training in this area, her lived experience of supporting her sons through the education system (and out the other side), and also her many years of working with professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Susanna Mateu

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Susanna, who is originally from Spain, has a wealth of experience teaching Spanish to adults and children in Hertfordshire for over 10 years. She came across ADD-vance when her son was 6 years old and has had a soft spot for the charity ever since. Susanna is a very caring person who is always keen to support the most vulnerable in the community. She also helps run a fantastic award-winning charity, Potential Kids, which supports neurodiverse children and their families in Hertfordshire. 

She loves learning new things and is always prepared to help anyone that needs any support. Susanna is also a Mental Health First Aider and Trainer. She actively promotes the importance of self-care, practising yoga, tai chi and meditation. She loves travelling the world, having afternoon teas with her girlfriends in London and photographing sunrises and wildlife.

Tracie Mullin

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

Bio to follow

Amanda O'Gorman

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Amanda’s first introduction to ADD-vance was following her son’s diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in 2013.  Via our courses and workshops, Amanda armed herself with as much information as possible and has been a keen supporter of ADD-vance ever since.  Amanda is passionate about her work in supporting and celebrating the differences of adults with ADHD and/or Autism in the work place and works closely with Potential Kids (a Hertfordshire based charity delivering social activities for children and young people with a learning difference).  Amanda combines all of this with her role as a busy Mum to two beautiful, impeccably behaved children! 

Annette O'Toole

MA Education, PGCE

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

With a background in education and a passion for early years development, Annette brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. She originally came to ADD-vance after her son was diagnosed with ASD, and now combines her knowledge of education with her first-hand experience to help and support other families. 

Frances Parsons - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer

Frances Parsons

BA (Hons)

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Frances first came on an ADD-vance course more than 10 years ago when she was searching for support for her family and Googled ‘ADHD Herts’. With a background in journalism, she was shocked how little information and educational support there was about ADHD and Autism at that time and is forever grateful to ADD-vance for all the strategies and help she received. 

Having then gone on to train as a specialist trainer and coach for ADD-vance, Frances is particularly passionate about the positives of ADHD and Autism. She is a patient and empathetic communicator and loves working with families and professionals to encourage understanding, transform attitudes  and, as a result, help everyone with these conditions to reach their full potential.

Vicki Whent

BA (Hons), PG Dip CG

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach
Vicki joined ADD-vance in 2015. Her professional post graduate career includes Journalism, Training and Guidance. She has previously held the position of Trustee for Tracks Autism for seven years, established a local autism/ADHD support group called Rainbows and has studied autism at university level. Vicki has a teenage son with a diagnosis of autism and ADHD.
Robin Wilding - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer & Coach

Robin Wilding

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Robin is one of our original team of specialist coaches. She is also a busy Mum to four beautiful children. Her eldest child was diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD at the age of 8yrs, leading her to train as a specialist coach with ADD-vance. She recognises the challenges parents face with their children and aims to offer strategies that work for individual families and children, to improve family life as a whole, offering a fresh perspective without judging. Everyone can feel as though they’ve run out of ideas and sometimes may simply need a little support to regain the confidence in their own resourcefulness.

Julie Williams

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

Julie first came across ADD-vance when attending one of our sensory courses and immediately decided it was a charity she would love to work with. With a corporate background in training and development and having carried out support work for other charities, she wanted to bring that experience to a charity which had made such a difference to her family. She is passionate about embracing differences in society and creating a culture in which young people can thrive and be themselves.

Julie has two fabulous neurodiverse children, a boy and a girl, who definitely keep her on her toes but also surprise and amaze her every day. When she’s not taking them from one activity to the next, she likes to get out on her bike or to run (and chat) with friends. 

Lisa Worrell

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach

After three years of running the ADD-vance helpline, Lisa trained as a Specialist Coach, allowing her to pursue her passion for supporting families to change their lives for the better. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge developed through roles with the charities Marie Curie and Family Lives and through her own experience of supporting three neurodiverse children in her family