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PODS Charity (Parents Opening Doors)

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Trustees

Trustees

PODS is overseen and directed by strong team of professional trustees, who have a wealth of knowledge and experience across areas such as vulnerable children, finance, safeguarding and marketing. The board is made up of trustees who have lived experience of disabilities as well as those that have no personal or professional connection, this enables the charity to have a well-rounded view and strategic perspective from both sides.

Nicola Jones (Chair)

I have been a trustee for PODS for a year now, I come from a teaching background and have taught a variety of outdoor pursuits, swimming, and core skills, to both disabled and non-disabled students. I saw massive value in the work PODS does, which encouraged me to get involved. Just recently I was privileged to be asked along to a family group they held at Blists Hill, where I met potential new families who wanted to access PODS, and the help they can provide. All staff were very welcoming, very warm, calm and patient, this was a privilege to see and gave me a much better understanding of what PODS was about. Staff were really experienced and held out the helping hand these families needed. The work PODS does is amazing, and really do help others, it was evident that their knowledge and experiences helped these family considerably. I feel very honoured to be part of the trustees for this great charity.

Sarah Hall (Vice Chair)

I’m Sarah, and I’m really pleased and excited to have been recently nominated as Vice Chair of Pods Trustees, a role which I really enjoy and value. I have been involved with Pods as a volunteer and Trustee since January 2023, having been inspired to become more involved following my previous professional role as a Team Leader within Telford and Wrekin Children’s Services where I had regular involvement and liaison with PODS managers within my role and was aware of the fantastic support and opportunities that PODS offered for families within Telford.

Since becoming involved I have been inspired and in awe of the breadth and range of the support ,activities and events that are provided by PODS for families and children, the levels of commitment and dedication and knowledge shown by the staff team and the friendly and welcoming environment that is afforded to all.

I look forward to continuing my positive relationship and role within PODS as a Trustee and volunteer, and feel pleased , proud and inspired to be involved with such a dynamic, diverse and supportive organisation. Every day is a school day at PODS and I always learn something new when I attend sessions and events!

Jon Mills

Hello there, I am Jon, currently the chair of the PODS trustees. It is such a pleasure to see how much the PODS team including our fantastic volunteers is doing to support children, young people and families in Telford and Wrekin. As a social worker of nearly 31 years post qualifying experience (!!) and a parent of three adult children with special needs, I really do appreciate everything our wonderful team does, and how difficult it can be for families to manage to carry on in caring for children with complex and often unnoticed or unrecognised needs. I would like to thank everyone in PODS for their hard work, commitment and love and care. I look forward to us being able to do even more in the future as we seek more and more creative ways to bring in funding so that the great work can continue. Very best wishes to you all, I’m sure I’ll see many of you in social events later in the year. Jon. PS. Sorry about the photo I hope it doesn’t scare anyone, please don’t let babies see it, they always cry when they see me!

Phil Gillum (Treasurer)

Phil has spent 44 years in banking with the Lloyds Banking Group in both retail and commercial banking roles. After he was made redundant, he secured a position at a large pension company and has now been there 4 years. Phil was a Trade Union (unite) Rep for 34 years. Phil is married with 2 grown up children, he is currently our longest serving Trustee and oversees our finances, grants, and accounts.

Kwabena Agyemang (Kubby)

I am Managing Director of a Health and Social Care company who support people with complex and additional needs. My background is predominantly working in care and support those in need. Growing up, so much was done for me and family to support us, therefore, I like to give back in terms of support community groups and charities. I hope I am able to help and support PODS in any capacity needed to help the group thrive further.

Tony Wakeman

My name is Tony Wakeman, I am a former member of the Armed Forces and have spent most of my adult career (23 years) serving around the world with The Staffordshire Regiment. I have been happily married to my Wife Stephanie for 34 years and have four daughters. Now retired from the forces, I work at RAF Shawbury as the Service Delivery Manger, ensuring Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Women who fly, have great accommodation, facilities, and support services, so they can concentrate on what they do best. I have an autistic grandson Max who is very much a loveable character. Understanding that life is going to be a challenge for him and there are many others who are disabled and autistic, I wanted to give a little back to those who need it, and this is why I became a Trustee of PODS. I want to offer organising and fundraising skills to the strong team that already exists and of course help with the mundane which has to be done. Having a strong “can do” military ethic, no task is above me and I am led by humility. 

Sally Moran

Hello, my name is Sally and I started volunteering as a trustee for PODS late last year and I’m really enjoying being part of this fantastic organisation. I work for Telford and Wrekin council in Children services, as part of the early years and strengthening families’ service and I have also worked at various
special needs schools and facilities locally during my career. I have seen first-hand the amazing benefit, help and support PODS offer to families I have supported through my career and feel very privileged to be part of this amazing organisation and look forward to many years of involvement with PODS. I have first-hand experience of the challenges of additional needs within a family both personally and professionally and I’m very thankful for PODS for their understanding, and inclusion of the families as a whole in Telford.