Committee
Michele Page (Chair)
My name is Michele Page and I am Chair/ Administrator of the RAFT Club and one of its founding members. I have two teenage boys, the eldest has autism and a learning disability. As well as being a Carer and running RAFT, I work as a Teaching Assistant supporting an 8 year old boy with autism in a local mainstream Primary school. I love languages, gardening and cooking.
My name is Michele Page and I am Chair/ Administrator of the RAFT Club and one of its founding members. I have two teenage boys, the eldest has autism and a learning disability. As well as being a Carer and running RAFT, I work as a Teaching Assistant supporting an 8 year old boy with autism in a local mainstream Primary school. I love languages, gardening and cooking.
Joanna Lavelle (Treasurer)
My name is Joanna Lavelle and I have 3 children, one of whom has a diagnosis of Aspergers, as well as other sensory and emotional difficulties. I am a qualified chartered accountant, having trained with KPMG and specialising in corporate tax. I work now as Finance Manager for Parenting Special Children, a Berkshire based charity providing specialist parenting support. In my free time I enjoy gardening, walking and cryptic crosswords.
My name is Joanna Lavelle and I have 3 children, one of whom has a diagnosis of Aspergers, as well as other sensory and emotional difficulties. I am a qualified chartered accountant, having trained with KPMG and specialising in corporate tax. I work now as Finance Manager for Parenting Special Children, a Berkshire based charity providing specialist parenting support. In my free time I enjoy gardening, walking and cryptic crosswords.
Polly Lewis (Website, Newsletter & Fundraising)
I have two boys affected by Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Sensory Processing difficulties, who have enjoyed going to the Raft Club for several years. I work part-time as Administrator and Volunteer Co-ordinator with the charity 'Parenting Special Children'. I regularly attend lectures and conferences regarding SEND issues and when I have spare time I like to read, garden and do crafty stuff.
I have two boys affected by Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Sensory Processing difficulties, who have enjoyed going to the Raft Club for several years. I work part-time as Administrator and Volunteer Co-ordinator with the charity 'Parenting Special Children'. I regularly attend lectures and conferences regarding SEND issues and when I have spare time I like to read, garden and do crafty stuff.
Ruth Adams (Parent Member)
My name is Ruth Adams. I have a daughter with autism and learning difficulties. I have worked with children of different ages in both mainstream and special education settings. My hobbies include cooking, music and mindfulness.
My name is Ruth Adams. I have a daughter with autism and learning difficulties. I have worked with children of different ages in both mainstream and special education settings. My hobbies include cooking, music and mindfulness.
Donna Spence (Parent Member)
My name is Donna Spence and I live and work in Berkshire as a solicitor. I'm a committee member for RAFT and feel very passionately about the service RAFT provides for autistic children and their families. I also work closely with other statutory agencies to identify opportunities for children on the ASD spectrum. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, shopping and spending time with my family.
My name is Donna Spence and I live and work in Berkshire as a solicitor. I'm a committee member for RAFT and feel very passionately about the service RAFT provides for autistic children and their families. I also work closely with other statutory agencies to identify opportunities for children on the ASD spectrum. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, shopping and spending time with my family.
Shrutha Shetty (Parent Member)
My name is Shrutha Shetty. I have been associated with RAFT for the past 3 years. I am really impressed with the impact that RAFT has on young children and their family as a whole. We love the fact that it is such a close-knit community and my child looks forward to coming to RAFT. I am a full time IT professional. In my spare time I like spending time with my family, cooking and watching movies.
My name is Shrutha Shetty. I have been associated with RAFT for the past 3 years. I am really impressed with the impact that RAFT has on young children and their family as a whole. We love the fact that it is such a close-knit community and my child looks forward to coming to RAFT. I am a full time IT professional. In my spare time I like spending time with my family, cooking and watching movies.
Rachel Lovett (Safeguarding)
Vacancy - Secretary
Vacancy - Secretary
Staff
Yvonne (Play Leader)
I have been working at RAFT for the past 10 years and have been the Play Leader for about 7 years. I have been working full-time at The Avenue Special School for 15 years and have a vast amount of experience working with children on the autism spectrum as I also do respite work after school and in the holidays. I have two grown up daughters, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and the other a teacher. I love working at RAFT and seeing how the children develop and learn as well as mentoring the other Play Workers.
I have been working at RAFT for the past 10 years and have been the Play Leader for about 7 years. I have been working full-time at The Avenue Special School for 15 years and have a vast amount of experience working with children on the autism spectrum as I also do respite work after school and in the holidays. I have two grown up daughters, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and the other a teacher. I love working at RAFT and seeing how the children develop and learn as well as mentoring the other Play Workers.
Anna (Play Worker)
I am a third year Art & Psychology student at the University of Reading. I’ve worked in primary & nursery settings before and have Universal Safeguarding and First Aid training. I come from a large family and have always loved working with children.
I am a third year Art & Psychology student at the University of Reading. I’ve worked in primary & nursery settings before and have Universal Safeguarding and First Aid training. I come from a large family and have always loved working with children.
Chloe (Play Worker)
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I am really passionate about working with children. Last year I volunteered in a mainstream primary school for 6 months and this year I’m volunteering at a Special School. I think the work RAFT does is so important, allowing the children to relax, socialise and have fun.
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I am really passionate about working with children. Last year I volunteered in a mainstream primary school for 6 months and this year I’m volunteering at a Special School. I think the work RAFT does is so important, allowing the children to relax, socialise and have fun.
Emma (Play Worker)
I am an aspiring Speech & Language Therapist currently studying at the University of Reading. Before University, I spent 2 years working as an acting Team Leader in a care home supporting young adults on the autistic spectrum. I also spent 5 years volunteering at a social club for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. I love working at RAFT and doing different activities with the children.
I am an aspiring Speech & Language Therapist currently studying at the University of Reading. Before University, I spent 2 years working as an acting Team Leader in a care home supporting young adults on the autistic spectrum. I also spent 5 years volunteering at a social club for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. I love working at RAFT and doing different activities with the children.
Nia (Play Worker)
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I really enjoy working with children and have gained experience working as a Teaching Assistant in a nursery as well as working at a club for children with autism in Wales, which is very similar to RAFT. I also volunteer for Riding for the Disabled. I enjoy working at RAFT and have great fun with all the young people who attend.
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I really enjoy working with children and have gained experience working as a Teaching Assistant in a nursery as well as working at a club for children with autism in Wales, which is very similar to RAFT. I also volunteer for Riding for the Disabled. I enjoy working at RAFT and have great fun with all the young people who attend.
Sophie (Play Worker)
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I enjoy working with children and have experience working with children in primary schools, special schools and nursery settings. I have also worked with children with autistic spectrum conditions and enjoy working at RAFT.
I am a third year Speech & Language Therapy student at the University of Reading. I enjoy working with children and have experience working with children in primary schools, special schools and nursery settings. I have also worked with children with autistic spectrum conditions and enjoy working at RAFT.