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Meet the Team
We value having people from different backgrounds and with diverse experience in our workforce. Our team are passionate about making a positive difference; this is reflected in our work, empowering people to develop the skills and confidence to regain control. Our values are what unite us as a team of people, working together to achieve our mission. At SUMMIT we are proud of our team’s dedication and their commitment to support the people we work with.
Chief Executive Officer
Gaynor Jarratt
Gaynor has worked for the organisation since 2010 and is a fully qualified advocate, and holds the IAQ, IMHA, Care Act, City and Guilds TAQA assessor and C&G PTLLS Level 4, teacher and trainer.
Project Support Officer
Brooke Little
Brooke is an experienced Complaints Advocate and has worked previously in the corporate industry for 15 years. Brooke joined SUMMIT Team in 2021 as a Project Support Officer and is now working towards achieving a level 7 qualification is Senior Leadership and Management.
Project Co-ordinator
Vicky O'Sullivan
Vicky ran her own mobile business for several years before having a change in career and becoming a foster carer. Vicky joined the team in 2009 and put her interpersonal skills to good use. Vicky is an experienced self-advocacy facilitator, she has developed and produced SUMMT's easy read resources. Vicky is also a fully qualified advocate and is working towards achieving a Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management.
Receptionist
Tania Drummond
Tania has worked for the organisation since 2014 and has successfully completed her C&G Level 2 "Introduction to Advocacy". Tania supports other people with a learning disability as a peer advocate.
Advocate / Facilitator
Annabel Bowman
Annabel has enjoyed working within the social care sector for many years, Annabel has worked with older people and held the position as deputy manager within a supported living service for adults with a learning disability. Annabel started her career in Advocacy back in 2004 and over the years has obtained her IAQ,IMHA, ICAA and has worked as a IHCA for several years. SUMMIT was pleased to have Annabel back to the team in 2020.
Advocate / Facilitator
Jill Bacon
Jill joined SUMMIT in 2024 as an Advocate.
Jill works on our Autism Navigation Service covering the South of Essex.
Advocate / Facilitator
Annie Lei Dobbs
Annie joined SUMMIT in 2022 as an advocate. Annie provides Health and community advocacy, supporting adults who are at risk of homelessness.
Advocate / Facilitator
Lisa Smith
Lisa has worked within the Voluntary Sector for many years and has co-ordinated and managed volunteers across the district. Lisa has facilitated self advocacy groups which has enabled people to find their own voice and engage with other services. Lisa is an advocate under our Autism Navigation Service and is also an expert by experience.
Trainee Facilitator
Reggie Newman
Reggie has recently completed his 3 year animation and illustration course at College and has joined our team as a Trainee Facilitator. Reggie supports with our marketing and social media platforms.
Advocate / Facilitator
Nick Leatherbarrow
Nick Joined the SUMMIT team in 2020 providing Health and Community Advocacy to vulnerable residents.
Nick has a long and distinguished career as a Martial Artist and Holistic Fitness instructor. Nick has spent many years working within the Voluntary Sector providing Citizens Advocacy to vulnerable residents. Nick is also a trustee for a local drug and alcohol recovery charity.
Advocate / Facilitator
Jackie Coburn
Jackie has supported vulnerable adults within a variety of social care settings for many years, before moving into a role within the housing sector for over 9 years. Jackie brings an array of knowledge in these areas to SUMMIT. Since joining SUMMIT in 2017 Jackie has become a qualified advocate having obtained her IAQ and Care Act units.
Health Advocate
Linda Embleton
Linda has worked as a community social welfare worker for the past 15 years, supporting vulnerable adults with poor mental health and individuals experiencing difficulty in their life.
Advocate / Facilitator
Glynis Grove
Glynis Grove has worked for SUMMIT since 2011 and is a fully qualified advocate having obtained her IAQ, IMHA and Care Act unit. Glynis works across West Essex facilitating AB4D groups.
Advocate / Facilitator
Edith Milne
Edith is a qualified Advocate and began working for the organisation in 2010 and has her IAQ, IMHA and Care Act unit. Edith is the administrator/facilitator for AB4D.
Advocate / Facilitator
Rachel Sandford
Rachel started working as a Bridge Builder for the organisation in 2009 and in 2011 started work as an advocate. Rachel holds the IAQ, IMHA and Care Act unit.
Advocate / Facilitator
Thomas Vousden
Tom started working as a Bridge Builder for the organisation in 2011 and as a qualified advocate having obtained his IAQ and Care Act unit in 2016. Tom is a qualified teacher and trainer. Tom is currently working towards achieving his Level 7 Strategic Leadership and Management.
Advocate/Facilitator
Carly Barham
Carly is a qualified advocate and has worked within the sector since 2009.
She holds the IAQ, including the IMHA and Care Act units. Carly has extensive knowledge within the mental health sector and currently works as a Discharge Support Advocate at SUMMIT.
Advocate/Facilitator
Rosie Hatt
Rosie joined the SUMMIT team in 2022 and brings many years’ experiences of working with children, families, and vulnerable adults. Rosie is a Registered Social worker with a Post Graduate Certificate in Autism and regularly attends training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. Rosie has experience of developing and managing services - in 2005 she held the role of advocacy manager for vulnerable children and young people in Tendring when she developed a specialist project for children with disabilities. She is an experienced group facilitator as well as supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of individuals. Rosie has used her Family Carer role by working as an expert by experience ensuring that people are well informed, empowered and have their voices heard.
Our Trustees
SUMMIT has a board of nine Trustees who bring a wide variety of skills, knowledge and expertise to the organisation. Being a Trustee can be rewarding and enjoyable. It is a great way to be involved in a community or cause which matters to you. Our Trustees come from all walks of life and being a Trustee can help you change your community for the better, learn new skills or use your existing skills. At its heart, being a trustee puts you at the centre of the action for the organisation you are involved in. Our Trustees ensure that SUMMIT has clear goals and strategies, that action to achieve those goals is being taken and that SUMMIT meets its legal and financial obligations.
FCA Retired, Trustee
Graham Thornton
Graham became a Trustee in 2005. Graham works tirelessly for the charity and has a hands on approach. Through Graham’s leadership the organisation has thrived and adapted to change.
ACMA ACIS, Treasurer
Robert Smith
Bob has been a Trustee for the organisation for many years. As the Treasurer he ensures financial clarity and accountability for the organisation.
Trustee
John Hobley
John was a headmaster of a special needs school and joined the organisation in 1999 as a Senior Advocate and team manager.
John became a Trustee on his retirement in 2014 and brings grass roots experience to the table.
Trustee
Maureen Goddard
Maureen has been a Trustee for many years and was the former Chair of the Trustees. Maureen brings knowledge of the local demographic and has a great understanding of the needs of our beneficiaries.
M.B, CH. B, Trustee
Mike Beardmore
Mike was a GP in the Tendring area and on his retirement became a Trustee of the organisation. Mike brings a wealth of practical knowledge of health and well-being issues.
Trustee
Adele Bird
Adele worked for the organisation as an Independent Advocate and became a Trustee on her retirement in 2014. Adele brings a working knowledge of the sector to the Trustee board.
Chair
Alistair Blake
Ali is the Chair of the Trustee board and became a Trustee in 2018. He is a Managing Director of a Digital Media Company. He brings a range of skills and talents to the charity and will be able to advise and inspire new ways of communicating using digital solutions.
Trustee
David Percival MBE
David is a career UK diplomat turned business leader, now based in Frinton on Sea. David brings many years of experience of charity governance and leadership, as a Board member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and with his work for the Deloitte Foundation in China.