Meet the Team

In line with recommended best practice all our staff and volunteers undergo either EDBS or DBS Checks depending on their role. They also complete CPD training to ensure they have the appropriate levels of Safeguarding Training.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Jan Rock

Charity Manager & Case Manager

Jan has lived-experience of acquired brain injury in children, young people and adults. She has a degree in Public Service Management, Certificate In Lean Organisation Management and is an experienced Prince2 Practitioner. Jan also has several CPD leadership qualifications and is a frequent speaker at professionally focused Brain Injury Conferences. Her Continuous Professional Development training includes: Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury; Special Education Needs and Disability; Paediatric neuro-rehabilitation; and Understanding children with SEBCMH issues. Jan manages the charity day-to-day and she delivers acquired brain injury awareness training to a range of professionals, sectors and organisations.

Nicola McCormick

p/t Family Support Assistant and Administrator

Nicola has an N.V.Q. Level 3 in Business Administration. She also has lived-experience of both acquired brain injury and childhood learning disability. Nic provides the important link between our families and the charity; undertakes regular home visits; and supports the Case Manager with case administrative functions.

Mary Dryden

ABI Support Worker

Mary has a professional background in neuro rehab Occupational Therapy. As a fully qualified therapist, and as part of the Health Education England: Return to Practice Programme; she gained valuable training and practical experience to update her skills, through volunteering with MATRIX. We were delighted when she gained employment with us in April 2019. Mary’s role is part-supported by a BBC Children in Need grant to provide 1-1 emotional and development support and stimulating and fun activities to children and young people to assist with their cognitive, communication or emotional and behavioural recovery. Mary is a keen sportswoman and also helps out with our Kids-Club.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS

Our office volunteers all live locally and provide a range of essential support functions.

Christine Sherred

Administrative Support

Christine helps with a range of important back office functions and is happy to help out wherever we need her. She also has personal experience of acquired brain injury both in children and adults.

"Participation in teen sports and normal activities leads to improved quality of life for children and young people post brain injury and helps to maximise outcomes"

Claire Willis; Australia

"New parenting support intervention showed how parenting style is related to executive dysfunction in children and young people post brain injury. With support parents cope better so the child has a better recovery"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"Taking brain injured children home causes high stress for families. Disjointed services exacerbate family stress levels."

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

"Children and young people have poor social competence post brain injury due to reduced cognition, executive functions, and emotional control. As a result they are twice as likely to have mental health issues in the future"

James Tonks; University of London

"NHS clinicians struggle with what intervention to priorities in pediatric neuro-rehabilitation due to limited clinical time and the complexity of needs. Children, clinicians, parents and schools all have different neuro-rehabilitation priorities"

Recolo; United Kingdom

"Rehabilitation interventions can lead to positive outcomes for children and their families if delivered in the familiar home environment and applied to everyday situations"

Cerebra; United Kingdom

"Case management for children and young people post acquired brain injury is 'pivotal' to successful outcomes and must be local"

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

"Strength-based family intervention after pediatric ABI is essential. Parents need to be equipped with the skills to cope and advocate for the child."

Caron Gan; Canada

"Too often children and young people with ABI are discharged from hospital without specialist brain support that they and their families need to overcome lifelong challenges"

Andrew Ross; former Chief Executive of the Children's Trust

"Parent-supported interventions following pediatric ABI bring reductions to the cost to society"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

OUR MISSION: To work to remove (health) inequalities for children & young people affected by acquired brain injury; and provide effective support to their families that makes a real difference.