Ann Bell Development Director Wales Expand Ann is responsible for developing and managing our activities in Wales. As well as overseeing the delivery of services to adopters across Wales, Ann also liaises with the Welsh Government and local authorities, ensuring that the voice of adoptive parents is heard in the new National Adoption Service. An adoptee and adoptive parent herself, Ann was formerly a secondary school teacher and more recently worked as Director of Communities that Care in Wales. She has a Masters degree in early childhood studies and has done research into the support needs of adoptive parents during the first year of placement. Contact Ann [email protected]
Annamarie Fawsitt Service Manager Expand Annamarie has worked in the field of adoption for over 30 years primarily as a social worker and then as a Manager within a statutory adoption service. She became an independent trainer for the social care sector in 2015 and joined the staff team in Adoption UK in 2017 as the Service Manager for Wales. Annamarie misses the time when her three daughters were young, and is hoping for grandchildren! In the meantime she enjoys long walks, meet ups with friends, the usual cooking and gardening, and of course a good book!
Fran Morris Lead Youth Worker - Connected Expand I am Fran Morris, one of Connected’s new Lead Youth Workers. I have joined the team to help expand the reach of ‘Connected’ across Wales and our hope is more families like yours can benefit. I have been in youth work for 12 years with extensive experience working with young people with additional needs, disabilities, and/or Autism, both in open access and specialist provisions. Some people call me a nerd, but I don't think I know enough! But I do enjoy Marvel and DC, as well as Disney and board games. When I get the chance I love exploring new places, going on long walks and playing my double bass.
Frances Chester Adoption Support Youth Worker Expand Fran joined the Children and Young People's Service team in April of 2019, having previously worked for 'Talk Adoption' since 2017. She recently graduated with a first-class degree in Youth and Community Work from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In her free time, Fran choreographs for a local theater company and loves to travel.
Helen Griffiths Helpline and Office Coordinator Expand Helen started working for Adoption UK Cymru in 2009, and as such is one of the longest serving members of staff! Since those early days, the staff & structure of the team in Wales has grown & changed massively. Initially, her role was helpline adviser and administrator. Whilst she continues in that role, she also supports and works with a number of wonderful helpline volunteers, and takes responsibility for communication with the membership in Wales via regular bulletins etc, and oversees much of the social media engagement, informing members in Wales of groups, training & local events. Helen has 2 adult daughters, and has personal experience of adoption in her close family.
Mandy Rowsell TESSA Manager - Wales Expand Mandy’s association with Adoption UK Wales started on 2016 when she. became a Volunteer and sat on the Advisory Board and also as a volunteer helpline advisor. In 2017 Mandy started working in the team recruiting, supporting and training the volunteer team that are vital to Adoption UK’s work in Wales. Mandy is currently the National lead for delivery of the TESSA service in Wales. Mandy is also an adoptive mum to two VERY active boys and her time outside work is mainly spent indulging in their hobbies be it by being taxi driver to various activities or playing an active role in keeping them entertained. She has become rather an expert in LEGO building ! As a family they enjoy being outdoors and spending time exploring places in their touring caravan.
Philippa Williams Early Intervention Support Manager Expand Philippa is the Learning and Development Manager for Adoption UK in Wales. She has been involved with the organisation since the late 1990’s when she adopted her first child. She has been a volunteer, buddy and parent consultant before moving into her current role. Philippa trained to become a Non Violent Resistant Practitioner with Peter Jakob and his team at Partnership Projects UK. She now delivers NVR training alongside other topics including Life Journey Work, Contact, Challenging Behaviour, 2nd Time Round Adoption and Adoption UK’s flagship training “Parenting our Children”. Philippa’s adopted children are now in their 20’s. In her spare time she enjoys long walks along flat paths and short cycles along flat routes.
Rob Hession Business Support Coordinator Expand Rob joined AUK Cymru as a volunteer in early 2019 to run the Cardiff area toddler group as he and his partner had two little ones under three! He then joined as Business Support Coordinator later that year and uses his background in retail and finance to help make sure things run (relatively) smoothly in Wales. He enjoys Netflix, ridiculous amounts of pick’n’mix and for some reason, spreadsheets.
Ruth Letten Manager of Connected – Adoption UK’s Children and Young People Service Expand I have worked within post adoption support for over 20 years for organisations such as NORCAP, local authority adoption teams and After Adoption. In that time I have supported adopted adults, birth parents adoptive parents in areas such as accessing adoption files, tracing family members, delivering training to prospective adopters, to name but a few as well as volunteering within my local community youth club. However approximately 12 years ago I begun running a project called TalkAdoption (as part of After Adoption) which aimed to give a voice to adopted children and young people using youth work principles and purposes. This has been my passion ever since and last year I was delighted to bring my experience to Adoption UK Cymru where I could continue to support adopted children age 7-25 years through our Connected Service. The service is developing across Wales to ensure all adopted children and young people have the opportunity to meet others with shared experiences; develop confidence and self esteem and have fun.
Stuart McCarthy-Thompson Lead Coordinator Community Support Wales Expand Stuart’s role is to develop and guide our team of amazing volunteers in Wales. He oversees our family events programme and the volunteer-led community group network. Stuart has spent more than 20 years working and volunteering for charities, in education, training and public relations roles. He is an adoptive parent to 2 very active boys and (when time allows) has a keen interest in nature and web development.
Vikki Evans Single Adopters Support Group Leader Expand Vikki has been volunteering for Adoption AUK since 2018, running the Single Adopters Support group, and officially joined the Tessa team in October 2019, as both a Parent Partner and Administrator. Her background is in HR and public sector management, and she fulfils several volunteering roles in her local community. She is mum to two girls (one adopted), and when not running around having adventures with them, she enjoys a good book, socialising with friends and family, going to gigs and planning fun trips away