Our PEOPLE

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Ambassadors

Iris Anderson

Iris Anderson

Honorary President and Ambassador

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Vikki Cheshire

Vikki Cheshire

Ambassador

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Iris Anderson

Iris AndersonHonorary President and Ambassador

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My original connection to Andover and District Mencap was 22 years ago with a member of my family who had learning difficulties and also developed epilepsy. I needed support from people that understood my family member and their needs, whilst delivering support to improve their self-esteem and confidence.

I developed great knowledge of all the different support services available through Andover and District Mencap. This made me more interested in Andover and District Mencap and wanting to support the work they do to support, equip and empower everyone with a learning disability to do more and be more. I had the greatest experience in meeting Liz Hall and Marion Grundy who helped me and so many people over the years. My family, until recently, still accessed support from Andover and District Mencap as my grandson, who has autism, attended the Afterschool Club.

Over the years I have been involved in supporting people. This has included 25 of the greatest years working at Andover Hospital. I have been involved in many charities (11 Years on the Carnival Committee, Chair of Friends of Andover Hospital and a Test Valley Borough Councillor since 2011). I was honoured to be Mayor of Test Valley from 2015-16. I was also very proud of promoting the borough for North and South, meeting different people.

I am proud to be the Honorary President of Andover and District Mencap and will support the charity in any way possible.

Vikki Cheshire

Vikki CheshireAmbassador

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I have mild Cerebral Palsy and uncontrolled Epilepsy. My original connection to Andover and District Mencap was in 2008 when I first started to volunteer in the office on a regular basis. I am a very determined person and continue to volunteer in the office for a few hours each week supporting the Learning and Development Team. It is one of the highlights of my week. When Andover and District Mencap (ADM) have fundraising events in the community I support the team by helping to run the stalls. I have gained so much from volunteering with ADM. My confidence has grown and my social skills have got better. I still tell jokes that I think are funny (others tell me they are awful).

My hobbies involve horse riding with the Riding for the Disabled Association. I have been horse riding since 1988 and ride dressage and take part in show jumping. I gained my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award when I was 21 years old which is held at The Wellington Centre. I also completed the Queens Guide award when I was 21 years old.

I am very proud and honoured to become an Ambassador or Andover and District Mencap. I will do my best to improve people’s thoughts and perceptions of people with learning disabilities. I always try and look at life like the glass is half full and not the glass is half empty!

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Trustees

Ann Woods

Trustees Chair

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Martyn Bullock

Vice Chair

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Colin Woods

Treasurer

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Philip Woods

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Katherine Bird

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David Atkins BEM

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Amanda Parkin

Ann WoodsTrustees Chair

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In 1984 my daughter Cathy was born with severe learning disabilities, challenging behaviours, no speech or language, is on the Autistic spectrum and is tactile defensive. The following year Colin my husband, Cathy and I moved from South East London to Andover. Soon After my son Phil was born, and he too has become a member of the Board of Trustees. Once in Andover, I became a volunteer with Andover Toy Library which was originally set up and run by Marie Atkins and Rosemary Wilson and other mothers who were members of ADM. Through this connection I joined the Fundraising Committee and then the Board. I have served on The Children’s Service’s Committee which organised the setting up of Stephen’s Ark. I was also in the past the founder Chair of the Andover and District under 5’s Forum which later became the under ‘8s and then Families Forum. 21 years later and I am now the Chair of the organisation and very much enjoying the opportunity to support the development and growth of the organisation.

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Martyn BullockVice Chair

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I have been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2000. Having seen friends bring up their Child who has a learning disability, I decided I wanted to support a local organisation that could provide the specialist services that both my friends and others with learning disabilities need. Since joining the organisation I have been able to use my skills and knowledge to support both the business side of the organisation but also the property portfolio. I have project managed repairs, maintenance and the ongoing development of the Bonhomie site. Our previous offices.

Colin WoodsTreasurer

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I became Treasurer of Andover & District Mencap in April 2017. My background is 40 years in finance working with a wide range of organisations including local councils, housing associations, charities and private sector companies. I moved to Andover over 30 years ago and became interested in Andover & District Mencap’s work through my wife’s involvement as a Board Trustee and because my daughter has learning disabilities and had received much support from the organisation.

Philip Woods

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I became a trustee for Andover District Mencap in April 2011, but have been involved with the charity for some years now in both a voluntary and fundraising capacity. I first came to know the charity through my family as my sister Cathy has a severe learning disability and has autism, whilst my mother Ann has been a Board Member now for approximately 20 years. I was born in Winchester and attended Anton Infant, Junior and John Hanson schools. I then moved on to Queen Mary’s college in Basingstoke. After this I moved down to Bournemouth where I attended University to study my Law degree which lasted for 4 years, one year of which I spent working for Wiltshire Constabulary and Wiltshire Crown Prosecution Service. Once I had completed my degree I successfully applied for the Legal Practice Course and resultantly became a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. This included studying Business Law, Litigation, Criminal Law and Property Law as well as Business and Solicitors accounts. I am currently working in the insurance sector in Basingstoke.

Katherine Bird

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Having lived in Andover for 21 years, I love Andover’s community spirit, I have worked with various groups supporting the town, and became aware of Andover and District Mencap through community projects.

I am passionate about the town and the amazing organisations who work to support the local residents, and so i am delighted to be working more closely with Andover and District Mencap and supporting them as a Trustee. I wanted to do this as they are a small organisation who do so much within the town and support so many people with a range of learning disabilities.

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David Atkins BEM

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In 1980 our daughter. Danielle was born in Aldershot with both Down’s Syndrome and a serious heart problems and fought very hard and overcame her illness. In 1982 we moved to Middle Wallop and began using Andover and District Mencap’s services, when we subsequently moved to Andover we both became involved with the society in various ways. Our son, Craig, was born in 1984 and via various roles is now in the Police. Danielle went to Anton Infants, Norman Gate and Mark Way schools. She does voluntary work at The Little School, The Bridge cafe and works part time at Sainsbury’s. As the years progressed, I became more involved in the organisation with mini bus driving and collecting old newspapers for sale to a recycling company. I have held the post of Chair and continue to support the organisation to grow and develop.

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EXECUTIVE TEAM

Lisa Rogers

CEO

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Lee Roberts

Business and Fundraising Manager

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Ami Turner

Registered Manager - Ofsted (Rainbow Corner)

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Andrew Frost

Chief Finance Officer

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Amy Pegg

People Partner

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Derek McCarthy

Head of Operations - CQC

Lisa RogersCEO

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As People and Resources Lead, I get the absolute pleasure of working to influence how we at ADM promote fair and reasonable standards in the treatment of all of those that work with us. My own purpose centres around being the best possible role model I can be and so I aim to use nearly 20 years of experience in HR and Learning & Development roles to shape how we attract, recruit, develop, support and empower our staff.

Lee RobertsBusiness and Fundraising Manager

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I have worked in social care since 2013. During this time, I attended the University of Winchester and completed a bachelors degree in special and inclusive education, graduating in 2018.

I first started working for Purple Oak Support (previously Andover and District Mencap) as a support worker within the Children’s Services team. Over the years, I consolidated my knowledge and skills, working my way through our support services, to Operations Manager in October 2021. I was responsible for overseeing our CQC regulated services and activities across Andover, Eastleigh and Winchester. Following the birth of my third daughter, I made the decision to change career direction and moved to our Business Support team as the new Business and Fundraising Manager in May 2023.

Ami TurnerRegistered Manager - Ofsted (Rainbow Corner)

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I have worked in the health and social care sector since 2006, starting in elderly care and moving on to working with adults with autism for the NHS. I started at Andover and District Mencap in April 2009 as a Support Manager, a role I stayed in for 7 years. I then completed a secondment as our CQC Registered Manager until May 2017 before concentrating my focus on working with children and young people.

I absolutely love my job. Every day is different and I strive to lead my team to achieving outstanding. Rainbow Corner is an incredibly special place and the work we do is delivered at a high standard. We work hard to make a difference to the lives of the children and families we work with.

Since becoming part of the Leadership Team I have been excited and driven to help mould and change the business to be able to deliver a service that helps everyone to do more and be more.

Andrew FrostChief Finance Officer

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I have worked in finance for most of my working life. Before joining Andover and District Mencap in 2019 (now Purple Oak Support), I worked for a number of commercial organisations as a finance manager and financial controller.

Originally, I joined as an Assistant Accountant before being promoted to Finance Manager in January 2020. This is the first charitable organisation that I have worked for during my career. Following growth of our care and support services in 2022, my team expanded and I took on additional responsibilities as Company Secretary. As CFO, I now oversee a team including a Finance Manager, Assistant Accountant and Credit Controller.