Board of Trustees
Amelie Busch
Secretary
It’s been a privilege to work with Bexley Mencap since 2021, initially as a volunteer and since April 2023 as a Trustee. I’ve loved getting to know Bexley Mencap’s members and I’m so appreciative of the staff’s deep commitment to putting members and the people who care for them at the heart of everything they do.
I’ve learned a lot about why members come to Bexley Mencap – whether for exercise classes and social outings, or for help filling in important paperwork and support at home – and how we as Trustees can best support them. My family knows how challenging it can be when a loved one with a learning disability, and the people who care for them, don’t receive the support they need, which is why access to high-quality support in your local community is so important. I hope that my personal and professional experience, which includes helping charities secure funding, will help Bexley Mencap continue to deliver fantastic services for many years to come.
Clair Grayston
Treasurer
It’s been a pleasure to work with Bexley Mencap and be part of an organisation so dedicated to supporting members and their families. After spending a year working with the Bexley Mencap team to help shape their new strategy, I saw just how much this charity meant to its members. That experience led me to join the board as Treasurer, allowing me to continue contributing to an organisation that makes such a difference in our community.
With nearly 20 years of experience in technology and finance, I currently lead a department at a large bank, where I’ve held roles in governance, financial management, and workforce strategy. I’m excited to bring this background to Bexley Mencap, supporting our mission to provide high-quality, inclusive services for people with learning disabilities in Bexley.
Fernando Caicedo
Chair
It continues to be a huge honour to work with Bexley Mencap, initially as a supporter and now as Chair of the Board of Trustees. I have immense respect for the staff and volunteers whose dedication ensures our members receive compassionate, effective support. From social outings to guidance in everyday tasks, Bexley Mencap is a lifeline for people with learning disabilities and their families.
My journey with Bexley Mencap has deepened my understanding of the diverse needs of our members. As someone with a family member living with a learning disability, I’ve seen first hand the unique challenges that people with learning disabilities—and their carers—face daily. I understand why quality, local support is crucial, and this drives my commitment to Bexley Mencap’s work.
With over two decades in the charity sector and significant board-level experience, I am committed to supporting Bexley Mencap through effective governance and strategic oversight. As trustees, we ensure the charity complies with Charity Commission regulations, upholds high standards, and remains accountable to those we serve. By focusing on governance and strategy, I aim to help Bexley Mencap continue having a positive impact on lives and fulfilling its mission in a sustainable and impactful way.
Jo Dyson
Trustee
I’m proud to have worked with Bexley Mencap as a Trustee since 2023, as part of the board working together with the staff and volunteers to deliver so much to the community, is genuinely inspiring. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the dedication of those working and volunteering with Bexley Mencap; having grown up watching my Mum and my Nan working as Support Workers, I know how challenging these roles can be and what a difference they make.
The difference Bexley Mencap is making in our community is clear when we meet members and learn about their experiences; hearing from Adam about the activities Member’s Voice are working on to Respect working to educate and train local services to understand what people with learning disabilities need to get good health care. Accessing the right support to live independently, is so important, yet can be incredibly challenging; which is one of the reasons I’m passionate about working with Bexley Mencap to support provision of quality local support.
With 15 years working with boards and executives to deliver their strategic goals, objectives and priority projects, I am committed to supporting Bexley Mencap to achieve their strategic goals through good governance, and effective strategy to support people with learning disabilities to living the lives they want to live in their own way.
Mick Vincent
Trustee
It’s been a true pleasure to serve as a Trustee for Bexley Mencap, working with my fellow Trustees and the Bexley Mencap Team to deliver services and support to Bexley’s Learning Disability Community.
I have been involved with the Learning Disabled for almost 20 years – initially as Chair and Volunteer for the Orpington & Bromley Gateway Club and, for the past 18 months, as a Trustee with Bexley Mencap. My wife is a Support Worker in the borough, and we share an enthusiasm for wanting to improve the lives of people with a learning disability.
My day job is as a Project Management Consultant in the Higher Education sector and I hope that my experience of managing projects and programmes, with the planning and committee work this entails, does mean that I can offer relevant skills and knowledge to the Bexley Mencap Board, particularly regarding regulatory compliance.
I hope that my work as a Trustee helps Bexley Mencap to continue to deliver sustainable services and support that people need long into the future.
Nicola Charlton
Trustee
I’m a researcher which means that my job is about asking ‘why’ to understand behaviour and drive change to improve customer experiences. I started my career as an anti-poverty officer in social housing, setting up food banks and supporting communities in need. However, I took an opportunity to study behavioural research in Sweden which has led me on my research career path.
I support my sister and uncle who have learning disabilities so caring has always been part of my life. In 2011 I volunteered for a month supporting delegates at the Special Olympics in Athens. I’m excited to give back and support Bexley Mencap, after seeing how similar charities have supported my family over the years.
Nikki Cochrane
Trustee
I am delighted to have been appointed as a Trustee to Bexley Mencap in late 2023, since when I have learnt so much about the work of the Charity and the members themselves. I am currently serving on the Finance Committee and the main Trustee Board and have enjoyed getting to know the members and staff as well as learn more about the valuable high-quality services we provide.
I have been particularly impressed at how the Bexley Mencap staff team work so hard to meet the diverse needs and wishes of our members through group sessions, the Hub and personalised 1:1 support, and how we are constantly working to reach out to more people with learning disabilities and their families and/or carers as well as having strategic influence across the Borough. Having some personal experience of working with people with learning disabilities, as well as over 20 years’ experience in health care, alongside a long track record of volunteering in local and national charities, I understand the importance of ensuring Mencap Bexley is financially sustainable both to provide these excellent services, but also to be an influential voice on behalf of our members locally. I look forward to getting to know more members and staff and supporting Bexley Mencap to achieve its strategic aims over the coming years.
Peter Walker
Vice-Chair
It has been a wonderful experience to be a trustee since January 2020. I have great respect for the hard work that the staff and volunteers put in to provide the support and seek to improve the lives of our members.
I have over 20 years experience as a solicitor assisting families and disabled people to navigate the complexities of the Court of Protection and benefits system and making the best arrangements for people if their loved ones cannot support them anymore. In doing that role, I have worked with service providers in many other areas of the country and bring that experience to help guide the board in ensuring we offer members high quality and diverse range of services to ensure they have opportunities that suit them.
I have also have over 30 years of helping to run small businesses and bring that experience to help ensure that Bexley Mencap is run within the requirements of the Charity Commission and remains financially secure to ensure we can continue to provide assistance to members in the long term.
Stacey Yusuf
Trustee
I am a carer for my brother who has a learning disability who uses different local services. I also work for another local organisation supporting parent carers and providing information, advice and signposting. This role means that I regularly speak to a large number of carers and use their feedback to guide me in my role as a trustee. I am qualified in SEN (Special Educational Needs) law so I have a clear understanding of the legalities involved in disability rights.
As one of two carers on the board I aim to use my experiences, and those of other carers, to help to influence the work that Bexley Mencap does and decisions that we make so that members and carers continue to be at the heart of what we do. It is important to me that I use my skills to benefit local people and am looking forward to helping to make sure that Bexley Mencap continues to deliver a range of inclusive services and support to people with a learning disability and their families.
