Chair: Chandos Green Expand I am a disability and young person's campaigner following a 19 year long battle with a brain tumour. Since a young age I have been heavily involved in representation the voice of young people in local communities where disability discrimination is an issue. Having worked alongside the Department of Work of Pensions as a user led ambassador, for a short period between 2012-2015, I then began studying at university and graduated in 2017 with a degree in social work. I am now the director of a small community interest company that supports young people into employment through social action campaigns. While also acting as a consultant for small charities, I offer help with fundraising strategies and support with developing new youth work services.Despite my physical and mental health disabilities I am keen to work with Independent Lives to support the voice of those in the community to get equal access to high quality support that values them as individuals.
Trustee: Simon Wilson Expand Though I have Cerebral Palsy with no speech, I run my own disability consultancy called SimonsAble, providing a range of services. My particular interests are working towards achieving equality for people with disabilities, so that people both with and without disabilities have the same opportunities. I undertake my role at Independent Lives with a critical mind and draw on my life experience to provide Independent Lives with a fresh perspective.
Vice Chair: David Hardman Expand I have worked in sport sector for several years both in coaching & strategic management. Currently, I work at Tennis Foundation as disability tennis development manager where my main objective is to engage more disabled people to play, volunteer and coach tennis across Great Britain. I bring my skills of event management, strategic planning and relationship building to Independent Lives. As you would expect I am passionate about sport and have a degree in Sport & Exercise Science. I am a keen badminton player, gym goer and make time to travel the world.
Treasurer: Adil Siganporia Expand Born in India and I have been living in the UK for nearly 20 years. Whilst studying for my Bachelor's Degree, I worked as a care assistant at St Richards in Chichester and at Huntington House care home in Hindhead. I am a qualified accountant with over 10 years of experience working in Finance and Accountancy in manufacturing and services industries. I have worked for both, SMEs and large corporations. My area of expertise is in project and change management and business development. I hope to utilise my experience and knowledge to date to support Independent Lives and help assist move the charity forward.
Trustee: Jo Tuck Expand I am a working single mum with lived experience of disability and a keen interest in health and social care. I am passionate about choice, independence and equality for all. I was born with a hip and pelvis deformity which meant that my childhood and adolescence was dominated by clinicians and social workers trying to get me fixed enough to ‘fit’ into the world. As a young adult I became interested in and connected with the disabled people’s movement and as I learnt and came to understand the social model of disability I felt empowered to live independently as a disabled person and to challenge service providers and decision makers who limited my independence or choice. I have worked in health and social care services in the community & voluntary sector for about 25 years. As a volunteer, as a service co-ordinator and as a team manager. My current employment is with Healthwatch West Sussex, the user and public champion for health and care services in the county. I also volunteer with Girlguiding UK and enjoy being involved with community events and projects.
Trustee: Claire Poke Expand I live with multiple long term conditions including severe asthma, a dynamic collapsing airway and chronic back pain. I am married to David and have adult twins William and Alice, and 3 dogs; Digger, Fluff & Tonto. Alice has profound and multiple disabilities and complex health care needs and I have managed a personal budget and a personal health budget for her. I originally trained in business and finance working for the local electricity board but left when I had the twins to look after Alice 24/7. I returned to part time work with West Sussex County Council as a part time finance and admin officer and youth worker until they left school. I then came to work at Independent Lives as a Senior Personal Health Budget Adviser being able to use my own experiences to support others. From here I joined NHS England in March 2017 working in the Personalised Care Group of the Strategy and Innovation Directorate as a Lived Experience Manager. In this role I support and facilitate local people to have their voices heard at a strategic level and be part of the decision making process around service shaping and delivery. I have also spent 26 years working in volunteering as a staff officer with responsibility for vocational qualifications for adults and young people. I am an advocate of lifelong learning and have a masters level qualification in management and leadership, have undertaken short courses in Diversity and Equality, and Information, Advice and Guidance, with the most recent being Change Management in large organisations and Project Management.