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.
Helen Griffiths Helpline and Volunteer Support 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 office administrator. Whilst she continues in that role, she also supports and works with Stuart, developing and guiding our team of amazing volunteers in Wales and the volunteer-led community group network. Helen has 2 adult daughters, and has personal experience of adoption in her close family.
Jessie Potter Children and Young Person Support Officer, South Wales Expand Jessie is the children and young person support worker for South Wales and works in the connected team. She has worked with young people in a range of settings, from teaching English to speakers of other languages, working for a young refugee project and running creative workshops for young people. She has been working as a youth worker for 2 years and loves finding creative ways to have fun. In her spare time, she loves all things crafty, being in nature and growing her own fruit and veg.
Jo Jones Children and Young People Support Worker Expand Jo Jones is the Children and Young People support worker for North Wales. As well as this Jo has been a part time primary school teacher for the past 11 years, working with pupils ages 7-11 which she finds fun and rewarding. In her spare time Jo enjoys spending time outside with her horses and dogs, and enjoying the beautiful scenery in North Wales she makes the most of: come rain or shine!
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 Learning and Development 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.
Sarah Coomber Administrative Officer Expand Sarah is the Administrative Officer for Adoption UK Cymru. She has worked with children and young people for over 10 years and has a degree in Information Communication Technology. Sarah is an adoptive parent and outside of work she spends her time as a busy Mum, taking her daughter to various clubs and activities, being outside at the park, organising various playdates and all the other joys that come with being a parent. Sarah also appreciates meeting up with friends and walking the family dog in her spare time.
Stuart McCarthy-Thompson Adoption Community Manager 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.