Board members – Leanne Yeo, Michael McLachlan, Matthew Leadbeater, Elizabeth Wheeler, Michael Farrington, Jade Vallance, Edward Cooke, Nicki Fraser, Helen Guest
Added at AGM- Matthew Swinburn, Justin Moore, Richard Kurn and Emma Jane Levallee
Edward has had a very varied career as a mgt. consultant working in tv, leisure, ports, shipping, mobile phones, food and drink, health and many other areas, in a number of different countries. Nowadays he is happy to take life easy, looking after his garden and bees, doing some volunteering, and enjoying relaxing with a good cup of coffee.
Helen is Board Secretary and has worked with the Pro-Active Community over the past 6 years from campaigns winning National Awards to raising awareness of the inequalities people with Learning Disability face and highlighting environmental concerns. “To me, working as part of the Community I want to support everyone to have their voices heard and the services provided designed by those they are intended for. I love all things nature, gardening and animals – you’ll find me out walking with my dog in all weather!
I’m Leanne and I am the Chair of the Pro Active Community, 2023/24. I want to make a difference and to help everyone be included in decisions about them. Cycling is very important to me and I like walking too for my good mental health, being out with family or friends, or my support staff is what is best for me. I have a dog called Bella Boo and she is my best fur friend she calms me down when I am anxious. My plans are to speak out for members whenever we can to make changes better for people like me with learning disabilities.
As Co-Chair 2023/24, Michael brings so much experience to the Pro Active Community, he has been a member since before it became a charity in its own right. He has enjoyed fund raising, including a 100km walk along the South Coast, and volunteering for the Salvation Army. He works at the Re.Work.it Boutique as a retail assistant which has provided some great chances to develop his skills in customer service. He is looking forward to the coming year as Co-Chair “I’m going to make sure the Chair has the best support from me and help with campaigns and meetings
Elizabeth was Chair of the PAC for 2 years from 2019-2021, representing fellow members at awards ceremonies and sharing her Makaton signing skills to the Learning Disability England Conference in Birmingham. Elizabeth has presented to Surrey People’s Group members and spoken about her passion for protecting the environment. She is an Active Living Ambassador for Active Prospects where she shares monthly Makaton signs with supported people and staff. “I like walking and visiting National Trust places with staff, my favourite film is The Greatest Showman, I like the song ‘This is me’”
Jade was a founder member of the Pro Active Community bringing many years of experience working in Social Care. As Board Treasurer the allocation of grants and funding is of great importance, to ensure campaigns and awareness training are possible. We strive for equity for all the members working hard to achieve extraordinary, as well as ordinary lives. Jade loves to cook, travel and walk, her ambition is to climb to Everest base Camp one day.
My name is Matt, I was the Chair for 2022/23 and achieved so much in that year. From walking over the O2 where I raised £1,000, climbing Snowdon in 2022, and some of the South Coast Challenge in 2023 too. Leading on the Disability Taxi Charter, presenting at the LDE Conference in 2023, and sharing insights for the Surrey Heartlands training films were things I am most proud of, as well as setting up the PACpod, being a DJ for MOTHS mashup, and a presenter for Ridge Radio. Being a member of the Pro Active Community is very important to me and I am the Fund Raising Assistant.
My name is Nicki, after having been on the Board of two Crisis centres for many years, I was looking for something new. I have supported adults with learning disabilities in the past, and so am delighted to be part of Pro Active Community, where the key members of the Board have disabilities. When I am not busy in my various roles within my local community, I enjoy puzzles, reading, and cooking.