Meet the Team

 CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

 In line with recommended best practice all our trustees, staff and volunteers undergo either an EDBS (with a barred list check) or a DBS Check depending on their role.  They also complete a range of CPD training to update their professional skills and ensure they have the appropriate levels of Safeguarding Training.

Jan Rock   

CEO & Case Manager

Jan has over 12 years 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 often speaks at professionally focused Brain Injury Conferences.    Her Continuous Professional Development training includes: Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury; Special Education Needs and Disability; Paediatric neuro-rehabilitation; Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy; and Understanding children with SEBCMH issues.  Jan manages the charity day-to-day, oversees a range of complex cases, and she delivers acquired brain injury awareness training to a range of professionals, sectors and organisations.   In her private life she loves spending time with her family and grandchildren and getting out and about in the countryside. 

FAMILY SUPPORT

Alison Brookbanks

Family Support Worker 

Alison’s previous roles as a Registered Nurse, qualified teacher and Community/Family Learning Coordinator, responsible for the planning, management and implementation of community and family learning programmes, has enabled her to acquire a wealth of experience working with people who have experienced a wide variety of life challenges.

She has extensive knowledge of providing support to improve health, wellbeing, confidence, reduce isolation, build resilience and having previous lived experience of acquired brain injury Alison can identify with the challenges families face.

Alison was inspired by the role of Family Support Worker with Matrix Neurological which she saw as a unique opportunity to utilise her skills, knowledge and personal experience to support families and make a difference.

In her private time Alison enjoys walking in the countryside, spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TEAM     (ABI SEN) 

Janet Gamesby

Senior Specialist SEN Mentor

Janet has 17 years’ experience of working in secondary education within the SEND team supporting young people with a range of complex disabilities. She is a qualified  Higher-Level Teaching Assistant and holds qualifications in Dyslexia and Safeguarding to Level 3.  Janet is also very aware of the negative impact an acquired brain injury – as a hidden disability – can have on a child’s ongoing development and educational outcomes.  After hearing Callum’s story, Janet initially contacted us about doing some volunteering work.    During this time, she felt inspired by the work we do for brain injured children and young people and saw working here as a unique opportunity to use her skills and experience to support this neglected cohort to achieve their long-term recovery goals.  When the ABI Support Worker post was advertised, she applied and is now excited to be part of this innovative team.  Janet has since completed a course in  Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy that she applies to her day-to-day SEN work.     In her private life, Janet’s family are very important to her and she enjoys spending time with them.  She also likes to go walking and swimming in her leisure time.

Vacant Post

Specialist SEN Mentor (16 – 25)  

Vacant Post

Specialist SEN Mentor (Early Years) 

 Laura Preston

Classroom Support Worker 

Laura is our Classroom Support Worker.  Her role is to set up sessions and organise equipment and resource needs for our Specialist SEN Mentors and provide support during sessions.  Laura started as an Administration Volunteer and she quickly developed a passion for the work we do.  She has since completed a range of certified and on-the-job training to expand her skills and knowledge.  Laura makes a significant contribution to our work and has integrated into MATRIX quickly to become a much valued member of our Team.

Christine Sherred

SEN Administrator/Resource Worker

Christine provides administrative support to the SEN team and creates and coordinates resources for our innovative Cognitive Recovery Programme.  She has lived-experience of acquired brain injury both in children and adults and understands the devastating impact of a lack of recovery support available to children and young people post acquired brain injury.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF

Elle Robinson

Administration Apprentice

Elle is our Business Admin apprentice who started in January 2022.  She enjoys learning new things each day that will expand her knowledge and help her develop new skills that she can use for the future. She took an interest in business administration, after working during the summer holidays at her Grandads business, helping him around the office and gaining valuable office experience. This inspired her apply for the apprenticeship role.  Elle chose to come and complete her apprenticeship with us, as we offered her the opportunity to do everything she would like to do within business admin and she liked what MATRIX did and stood for; helping and supporting children and young adults with acquired brain injuries.

VOLUNTEERS

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

 Callum Richardson

Service Support Volunteer

I am Callum and I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to volunteer within Matrix Neurological. I feel this chance will help me personally, to build my confidence, and being able help others who have had similar brain injuries to myself.  Another reason is showing my gratitude.  Matrix Neurological have helped me to recover from my brain injury and strengthen my cognitive function, which I am extremely grateful for.   Volunteering helps me to give something back by offering my technical support skills and much more.

The main reasons I decided to volunteer here is to gain work experience in a professional environment; be able to find my strengths and weaknesses while working within a busy office; and most importantly help in any way I can. I also want to broaden my knowledge of health and safety, IT applications and learn more about children and young adults with brain injuries.

I am kind and generous person and a true lover of helping all!  I also like music and used to dream of being a singer in a band when I was young. I go to gigs whenever I can, and listen to different genres of music, and I collect vinyl records.

Admin Volunteer – Vacancy

STAFF AND VOLUNTEER SURVEY MARCH 2022