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!
Julie Moseley Lead Education Officer Expand Julie joined Adoption UK in October 2019, intially as a Parent Partner in the TESSA team, and as a volunteer helpline adviser. This was following early retirement from teaching after 33 years. She was a Deputy Head for 12 years and obtained NPQH( headship qualification) . In November 2020 Julie became Lead Education Officer for Adoption UK Cymru. She has led a project to encourage schools to be involved in Adoption UK and to develop the way that we can support schools and families. Julie and her husband adopted a sibling group of 3, 19 years ago. They are now all grown up and doing well in the world. Julie and Robin are now now have 2 grandchildren. Julie loves spending time with her grandchildren, reading, watching films & visiting the theatre when possible.
Karen Shepherd Children and Young People Support Worker for Connected – Adoption UK’s Children and Young People Service Expand I am one of the part-time children and young people support workers for the Connected team in Wales. I have 15 years work experience supporting young people with additional learning needs and sensory impairments within secondary education. I am currently studying Youth Work and Social Education Masters part-time after completing a BA (Hons) Advocacy degree in 2021 and hope that my qualifications and experience will make a valuable contribution to the Connected Team. I have two grown-up daughters and in my spare time enjoy spending time with my family, running and exercising my dogs.
Kate Hampton TESSA administrator Expand Kate is an adoptive parent and joined Adoption UK in Feb 2021 and is also a Parent Partner for the Tessa service. Kate has spent over 12 years working within the voluntary sector and was the Safeguarding Champion for a charity working with and supporting disabled adults and young people with learning disabilities. In her spare time, she manages her daughter’s increasingly busy social calendar.
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.