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.

"There are problems with getting people into neuro-rehab centres. Those most in need are often those most excluded due to a lack of socio-economic resources."

Vicki Anderson; Australia

"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

"Poor parenting styles affects children's behavior; increased their learning disability; and had a negative impact on emotions; anxiety; anger management post brain injury"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"Intensive and individualized approaches work. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't. You have to make it relevant to the child."

Recolo; United Kingdom

"Positive and coordinated neuro-rehab interventions for children and young people is prove to bring health improvements; improve independence; a decline in the need for sheltered living; decreases vulnerability; decreases drop-out rates in schools; decreases youth offending"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

"When different organisations assess different aspects of a child's neuro-rehabilitation needs, everyone looks at things from a different perspective and highlight needs and conflicting priorities"

Cathy Jonson; Rehab without Walls; United Kingdom.

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

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

"Healthy teens are better at identifying strategies to deal with barriers. KIDS WITH ABI'S CAN'T!"

Shari Wade; USA

"Different 'experts' involved in pediatric neuro-rehabilitation come from different organisational cultures which causes conflict and has a negative effect on the outcomes for the child."

Barbara O'Connell; Ireland

"We are medical practitioners. The real experts are the parents. Over the last 35 years they have taught me everything I know"

Lucia Braga; Brazil

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.