Sally Palmer (Secretary) became a volunteer support worker in the Day Centre back in 1999 and is able to bring her first hand knowledge of the client group and the Day Centre to the Board. Alongside her duties as Secretary, she volunteers 2 days a week in the Day Centre and is the driving force of the Fundraising Committee. Sally also wears a third (or is it fourth?) hat as, unfortunately, shortly after becoming involved with Headway, one of her children sustained a brain injury following an accident.

Sally, who has 3 grown up children, lives in Cardiff with her husband Harry, who does a fine job of organising Headway's Annual Charity Golf Day each year.

Pete Mayle (Treasurer) and his wife Wendy, have been pivotal to the development of Headway Cardiff since their son sustained a serious brain injury back in 1992.

Pete has first hand experience of the difficulties encountered by carers and also volunteers in the Day Centre every Friday. He has been Treasurer since 1997 and in the little spare time he has, enjoys campanology (bell ringing, to the uninitiated). Pete, who has 2 grown up children, lives in Llantwit Major and is a retired BT Engineer.

Alison Culverwell, is a personal injury solicitor, for New-Law, who specialises in brain injury cases. Ali has been a Trustee since 1999 and her considerable experience in the field give her insight into both the effect of brain injury on the individual, but also on the family.

She lives in Llantwit Major with her partner Richard and on the weekend she can usually be found in the Bristol Channel on a boat, whatever the weather!

John Glass has been a member of our Friday Group since 1998, following an aneurysm some years earlier. John is a respected and well liked figure, with whom the other group members are able to share their concerns. As well as representing the group, he sees life from the perspective of someone living with the effects of brain injury. John spent some years in the Armed Forces and was a Social Worker prior to his injury. Although born and bred a Mancunian, John now lives in Barry.

Dr Patricia Mckenna, is a retired clinical neuropsychologist who worked for the NHS at Rookwood Hospital . Pat is very well respected in her field and is a superb advocate for the work that we do here at Headway Cardiff. She has particular concerns for the future security of our premise here, as we rely entirely on the goodwill of the Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust and there is no guarantee that this will continue indefinitely!

Pat is married and lives in Cardiff . She has 2 grown up daughters, a step-daughter, a step-son and 5 step-grandchildren!

Jeff Mayle, works in IT for the University of Newport , so he provides the Board with expertise in this area. Jeff himself sustained a serious brain injury when he fell off a skateboard as a 17 year old. Although Jeff has made a remarkable recovery, he has first hand knowledge of the long-lasting effects of brain injury and is able to voice his opinion from that view-point. Jeff lives in Cardiff and enjoys a very busy social life from all accounts!

Ian Stone is a Partner in the Bristol office of the accounting firm, Deloitte Touche.

He has been able to support the Board, and in particular Pete, with issues relating to tax, finance and record keeping.

Ian lives in Cardiff with his wife, Kate, and 2 teenage children. In the little spare time he has, Ian enjoys holidaying and has recently discovered the delights of the nursery slopes.

Pauline Watson has volunteered in the Day Centre since February 1999 and is also a very active member of the fundraising committee. Pauline has been a Trustee since June 2000. Pauline taught English at a Cardiff comprehensive school for many years, and is an active member of a local Amateur Dramatic Society. Originally from Manchester , Pauline now lives just outside Cardiff with her husband Tony. She is an ardent Man Utd fan and there are often heated football related debates between Pauline and Andrew.

She has two grown-up daughters and two grandsons.

Rosie Wysome has volunteered at the Day Centre since 1999 and became a Trustee in June 2000. Although Rosie denies she is a member of the Fundraising Committee, she certainly does her fair share! Rosie lives in Cardiff with her husband Terry and has 2 grown up sons. She enjoys travelling and has recently visited the Galapagos Islands , which were spectacular.

Lisa Lambly - Administration & Development Manager (Job Share)

Lisa began her career at Headway Cardiff in January 2003 when she was appointed Assistant Day Centre Manager.

She was promoted to Day Centre Manager later that year and remained so until returning in a part time capacity following the arrival of her daughter.

Lisa has a BA(Hons) in Leisure Management and prior to joining Headway Cardiff was the National Programme Co-ordinator for Special Olympics Ireland. Lisa also has several years experience of working at camps for children with terminal illnesses, culminating in her becoming the Assistant Camp Director.

Lisa has always enjoyed outdoor activities and is a qualified High and Low Ropes Instructor and Kayaking Instructor.

In her now very limited spare time, Lisa enjoys swimming and mountain biking and travelling to Canada to visit her husband’s family.

Julie Smith - Administration & Development Manager(Job Share)

Julie joined Headway Cardiff in April 2004 in the newly created post of Administration & Development Manager.

Prior to this she worked for Barclays Bank for 14 years in a variety of roles, the last of these being Small Business Manager, a post which she held for 9 years before deciding to look for a new challenge.

 Whilst at Barclays, Julie was a committee member of Home Start Ely and for two years was Treasurer of Red Dragon Radio – Help a South Wales Child.

In her spare time Julie is a member of a book group, plays the piano and has recently been appointed Secretary of Llantrisant Community Arts.

Tim Bank - Day Centre Manager

Originally from Brecon, Tim now lives in Cardiff and joined Headway Cardiff three years ago as a Support Worker. Tim has previous experience of working with the elderly mentally ill and children with learning difficulties.

Tim has a Bsc Econ in Sociology and is currently working towards an Msc in Social Research Methods.  For fun, Tim enjoys Tae Kwondo, going to the gym and is a fan of Aston Villa FC.

Karen Harding has been the part-time Administrative Assistant since December 2002. She worked for many years at 3M's in Swansea before having her daughter. In her own time, Karen is also a very active member of the Fundraising Committee and enjoys going to the gym, holidaying and socializing. She lives in Cardiff , with her husband Andrew and their teenage daughter.

Emily Brennan - Assistant Day Centre Manager

Since graduating with a Bsc Hons in Sociology, Emily has held several positions a Community Care Assistant with Cardiff City Council.

She also has attained awards in British Sign Language Level’s 1 and 2 and completed a Certificate in Counselling.

Emily enjoys travelling and has spent 10 months exploring the Far East and Australia. When she gets the opportunity, Emily loves to ski.  She plays squash on a regular basis and has recently taken up indoor climbing.

Erica Emes - Support Worker

Erica is the newest member of our team, joining us as a Support Worker in December 2009

Originally from Berkshire, Erica is a Psychology graduate who amongst other things has worked as a Research Assistant and a Learning Support Assistant for children with Autism.
In her spare time Erica enjoys the outdoor life, skiing particularly coastal walking and hiking.