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Our Team

One of the things that makes ADD-vance special is that all our team members are parents of neurodivergent children. 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.

The Training & Coaching Team

Robin Wilding - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer & Coach

Robin Wilding

Senior Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Robin is one of our original team of specialist coaches and provides supervision to all members of the team.

She is also a busy Mum to four beautiful children. Her eldest child was diagnosed with Autism 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.

Dan Adams

BA (Hons), Level 3 Teaching Qualification

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach, EHCP Specialist

Dan is a Dad to 3 awesome, neurodivergent 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.

Jamie Brown

BSc (Hons), Level 3 Teaching Qualification

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer
Jamie is a dedicated advocate and trainer at ADD-vance, with a personal journey shaped by ADHD. Driven by a profound passion for challenging societal norms surrounding neurodivergence, Jamie began volunteering with ADD-vance during his final year of undergraduate study in the field of Psychology, and has remained with ADD-vance ever since. Now a Lecturer at Middlesex University, Jamie brings his expertise in ADHD, mental health, and lived experience to shape the minds of future professionals. Amidst these endeavours, Jamie is a proud parent to five neurodivergent children—a testament to his commitment to fostering understanding, support, and inclusivity in both professional and personal spheres.

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.

Steph Curtis

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach
Steph is mum to two autistic teenage girls, one also diagnosed with ADHD. She worked in the ADD-vance office several years ago and is delighted to be returning to the charity as a specialist coach and trainer. Steph started writing a blog about family life with autism on the day her younger daughter was diagnosed at the age of two, and she has used her blog to raise awareness and spread understanding of the profile of autism known as Pathological Demand Avoidance. She has been a Trainer for the PDA Society for several years and has also represented parent carers locally on behalf of HPCi. Steph is passionate about helping other families find their way through the maze that springs up when trying to parent neurodivergent children.

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 neurodivergent 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.

Eleanor Griffiths

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach, EHCP Specialist

Eleanor started her career working in IT in the City but then became a full time parent to two neurodivergent children who are now teenagers. She first became involved with ADD-vance when her eldest child was in the process of being diagnosed with Autism 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 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, neurodivergent family.  She focuses on identifying the strengths and passions of neurodivergent individuals and families, to enable healthier and happier outcomes. 

Karen is diagnosed with Autism and ADHD herself.  The combination of lived experience, reflective skills and extensive knowledge regarding neurodivergence 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.

Helen Jex

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach
Helen is a mum of three. Her middle child was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. This is when she first discovered ADD-vance, attending many of their courses. Over the next fifteen years, she devoted her time to raising her family, researching and learning as much as she could to better support her family and others. During this time she ran an inclusive under five movement group and worked as a 1:1 in Early Years. She fully understands the challenges families face and is passionate about supporting others without judgement.

Sophia Jones

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

Sophia is a mother of 4 amazing children most of whom are now young adults. Neurodivergence is sprinkled throughout her family and with a background in education, she has worked closely with neurodivergent young people and families for over 20 years. As a Trainer she supports people with coaching and by delivering courses and as a Drama specialist, Sophia’s love for all things theatrical means that when the camera has stopped rolling she can be found having a cheeky “Movement Break” or as others like to say, impromptu desk dancing.

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

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 neurodivergent 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.

Amanda O'Gorman

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer & Coach

Amanda’s first introduction to ADD-vance was following her son’s diagnosis of Autism 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 neurodivergent adults 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 Autism, 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.

Mel Peeke - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer

Melanie Peeke

MA Human Sciences

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

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.

Helen Rognaldsen

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

Helen worked at a senior level in communications and marketing for over 25 years before deciding to change course with her career. She is a qualified coach and now works part time at Cranfield University as a degree apprentice coach, where she also delivers neurodiversity training to staff and employers. She is also training to become a counsellor.

Her first experience of ADD-vance was nearly 10 years ago when seeking help for her youngest child when he received an ADHD diagnosis. She attended the 6-week parents’ course (a true lifeline at the time!) and, in subsequent years, as other members of her family have also received ADHD and Autism diagnoses, she has regularly relied on ADD-vance for advice and training.

With her combination of lived experience and first-hand knowledge of the challenges neurodivergent people face in education and at work, Helen is passionate about sharing this experience and knowledge in order to empower young people – and those who support them – to thrive.

Miriam Shabetai

MSc (Hons) Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

Specialist Sleep Coach
Miriam has a growing interest in the field of Autism, ADHD and mental health and joined the team at ADD-vance to help make a difference to families in Hertfordshire. She is currently working as a Research Assistant at Aston University on a study examining the effectiveness of behavioural sleep interventions in children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Miriam leads our sleep workshop and support group and supports families through our Specialist Sleep Service.

Regina Somekh

BA (Hons) Sociology and Psychology, PGCE

Specialist Autism and ADHD Trainer

Regina believes passionately in helping the neurodivergent community. She has three children and has dedicated herself to care for her young son who is autistic and ADHD, enabling him to gain strong self-esteem via being his authentic self. She has navigated the legal system in
order to fight for his right to education. Regina wishes for equal opportunities for all individuals to lead full, successful and rewarding lives at home, work and the community.

Previously a sixth form teacher of Sociology and Psychology for 25 years, she is now a dedicated trainer at ADD-vance, having been initially supported invaluably by the charity. Her practical and empathetic approach aims to empower parents and professionals to
navigate the complexities and joys of Autism and ADHD.

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.

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 neurodivergent children in her family

Talia Zamora

BA (Hons)

Specialist Autism and ADHD Coach

Talia is a mum of two autistic boys. Through her journey of discovering her boys’ differences, her knowledge of Autism and ADHD grew along with her understanding of the many neurodivergent traits herself and her extended family have. Support from ADD-vance’s courses and peers enabled Talia to understand her family and parent in a different way which has given her a passion for wanting to help others in a similar position.

With a background in Business Improvement and Business Management, Talia started her own business as a Business Strategy Coach in 2018, helping determined women to succeed and become the expert in their field and is now excited to also be coaching families.

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.

Jennie Rayson

MSc (Hons)

Neurodiversity Services Manager

Jennie has spent most of her career as an Economist in the Civil Service working in many different areas.  She took a career break in 2016 to focus on family and having benefited from ADD-vance courses has recently joined ADD-vance as the Neurodiversity Services Manager.  Outside of work Jennie is an avid tennis fan and has a very cuddly dog!

Gillian Wilson

CGMA

Finance Manager
Gillian worked in varied Finance roles in Scotland and London for several large UK and multinational organisations. After having her 3rd child she took some time out to focus on raising her children and benefitted from ADD-vance support for her neurodivergent son. She returned to work in 2019 looking after the Finances for ADD-vance and loves working for a local charity that makes a real difference to families in Hertfordshire. Outside work, Gillian loves travel, pilates and chocolate, and is a busy mum to 3 children.

Laura Connor

BSc (Hons)

Marketing and Events Lead

Laura is a brand specialist with over twenty years experience in the broadcast industry. Starting her career in television production at the BBC, her specialism in Childrens content took her into Brand Management for BBC Studios where she successfully oversaw BAFTA winning kids franchise brand Hey Duggee, among others.

Laura has first hand experience of ADD-vance’s services. Combining this knowledge with her professional experience, she is an advocate of educating parents and professionals in recognising neurodivergence in children and young people, helping them live their best lives.

Sophie Da Silva

Neurodiversity Services Administration Lead
Sophie has spent the majority of her career working for large media organisations and made the decision to make that change to a role that would make a direct difference in her local community. With first hand experience of using ADD-vance’s services, Sophie knows all too well how much a local charity can make a difference to a family in need.

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.

Sarah Hennessy

Social Media Officer
Sarah lives in Welwyn Garden City with her husband and daughter (currently away at university), although she is originally from East London. After working in admin jobs for money brokers and accountants in the City of London for 11 years, she took a break in 2001 to get married and raise her daughter. Sarah was involved with Spectrum Girls (before it became part of ADD-vance), looking after emails and admin, and arranging social events for members. Sarah loves travel, reading, film and going to the theatre. Her whole family are passionate about football, Sarah and her daughter are members at Tottenham Hotspur and love to go to games together.  After volunteering for ADD-vance for 6 months in 2021, Sarah now looks after all of our social media.

Lisa Worrell

Helpdesk Coordinator

Lisa lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and their five children. Together with her oldest son, and amazing team of volunteers, Lisa managed The Junior Reptile and Amphibian Club for Enthusiasts, inviting children from all over the county and beyond to share their passion for everything reptilian. 

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.

Donna Bullock

Senior Helpdesk Support

Donna lives in Hertfordshire with her 3 children and chocolate lab and cocker spaniel. She first became aware of ADD-vance in October 2018 when she attended ADD-vance workshops and received parent coaching whilst her son and daughter were on the pathway to getting their Autism diagnosis.

Donna has a foundation degree in Early Years and Early Years SENDCo training. She is passionate about children/young people having their needs met and parents having their thoughts and feelings listened to. Donna has joined ADD-vance to offer families the advice and support that she valued so much at the beginning of her journey, to help with day to day battles and for parents/young people to know they are not alone.

Claire Proud

Helpdesk Support

Claire has joined ADD-vance with a need to make a difference to families in Hertfordshire. Married for 27 years, and mum of two children now in their teens and a young adult, she remembers how emotional and isolating the journey is at times parenting a neurodivergent child. She is passionate about being there for other parents experiencing a similar journey and by providing support and advice, she wants families to see that they are not alone. Claire loves spending time with her family and friends, retail therapy is her downfall, spa days are a must and long walks with her dog Bear is her daily exercise.

Catherine Ainsworth - Specialist ASD & ADHD Trainer

Catherine Ainsworth

Volunteer

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 neurodivergent kids but like so many others has found that you become an expert pretty quickly! Catherine works behind the scenes on website improvements and other marketing projects.