Our Trustees
Our trustees dedicate their time to guiding the charity
Emma Williams
Emma comes with both professional and personal experience of autism. She has a keen interest in enabling people to reach their full potential and develop skills in their local community, particularly in the area of employment and training. She is excited about the development of the Futures programme.
Hugh Dampney
Hugh's aspirations for Autism Unlimited are to support the staff to ensure that the people we support continue to be well looked-after, and develop their potential as far as they can.
James Brazier - Interim Chair of Trustees
James is enthusiastic, empathetic and proactive in his approach, and his vision for Autism Unlimited is to support the charity externally and help Autism Unlimited to grow in both stature and size.
James Sturman
Trustee - With over 30 years of finance and management experience I would like to take this skillset and use for the benefit of the charity and the young people it helps in order to achieve its goals and ambitions.
Jan Cresswell
Jan brings conviction and a commitment to compassionate practice to her role as a trustee. She aims to use her education leadership experience to support the charity in being ambitious for the flourishing of autistic individuals and their families. Jan is keen to see Autism Unlimited become a leading national voice in training employers and shaping inclusive, supportive communities where people living with autism will thrive.
Jan Thurgood
Jan joined Autism Unlimited as a Trustee in July 2022. She brings experience of autism though her career in children's and adult social services and her personal life. She is passionate about enabling children and adults to fulfil their potential and about providing the best possible support and development opportunities to staff.
Julie Shield
Julie is determined, proactive and passionate about the potential for Autism Unlimited, and brings real-world experience and understanding of autism to her role. Julie’s vision is to represent the parent voice and help the charity fulfil its potential.
Lesley Longstone
Trustee - Lesley brings a range of policy experience in children and young people’s issues, including education, health and youth policy. She has substantial board experience through her work with another charity working with autistic people, and having been Chief Executive of a regulator in the health sector is familiar with the highly regulated environment within which Autism Unlimited operates. Most importantly, she cares deeply about every child, young person and adult having the opportunity to enjoy life to the full.
Melanie Foster
I am very much looking forward to contributing to the valuable work of Autism Unlimited and taking on the role of trustee. I began my career as a special educational needs teacher in Inner London and continued my passion in leading SEND within both Local Authorities and Charities. I have been part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism as Eduction Development Lead with the National Autistic Society and a member of the The National Special Educational Needs and Disability Forum attended by the DfE. I have always been passionate about people and purpose and committed to social justice to enable all students to feel valued, safe and secure. I live in Hertfordshire, and although semi-retired, continue to work with schools and Local Authorities, particularly focusing on developing autistic provision. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family.
Emma Williams
Emma comes with both professional and personal experience of autism. She has a keen interest in enabling people to reach their full potential and develop skills in their local community, particularly in the area of employment and training. She is excited about the development of the Futures programme.
Hugh Dampney
Hugh's aspirations for Autism Unlimited are to support the staff to ensure that the people we support continue to be well looked-after, and develop their potential as far as they can.
James Brazier - Interim Chair of Trustees
James is enthusiastic, empathetic and proactive in his approach, and his vision for Autism Unlimited is to support the charity externally and help Autism Unlimited to grow in both stature and size.
James Sturman
Trustee - With over 30 years of finance and management experience I would like to take this skillset and use for the benefit of the charity and the young people it helps in order to achieve its goals and ambitions.
Jan Cresswell
Jan brings conviction and a commitment to compassionate practice to her role as a trustee. She aims to use her education leadership experience to support the charity in being ambitious for the flourishing of autistic individuals and their families. Jan is keen to see Autism Unlimited become a leading national voice in training employers and shaping inclusive, supportive communities where people living with autism will thrive.
Jan Thurgood
Jan joined Autism Unlimited as a Trustee in July 2022. She brings experience of autism though her career in children's and adult social services and her personal life. She is passionate about enabling children and adults to fulfil their potential and about providing the best possible support and development opportunities to staff.
Julie Shield
Julie is determined, proactive and passionate about the potential for Autism Unlimited, and brings real-world experience and understanding of autism to her role. Julie’s vision is to represent the parent voice and help the charity fulfil its potential.
Lesley Longstone
Trustee - Lesley brings a range of policy experience in children and young people’s issues, including education, health and youth policy. She has substantial board experience through her work with another charity working with autistic people, and having been Chief Executive of a regulator in the health sector is familiar with the highly regulated environment within which Autism Unlimited operates. Most importantly, she cares deeply about every child, young person and adult having the opportunity to enjoy life to the full.
Melanie Foster
I am very much looking forward to contributing to the valuable work of Autism Unlimited and taking on the role of trustee. I began my career as a special educational needs teacher in Inner London and continued my passion in leading SEND within both Local Authorities and Charities. I have been part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism as Eduction Development Lead with the National Autistic Society and a member of the The National Special Educational Needs and Disability Forum attended by the DfE. I have always been passionate about people and purpose and committed to social justice to enable all students to feel valued, safe and secure. I live in Hertfordshire, and although semi-retired, continue to work with schools and Local Authorities, particularly focusing on developing autistic provision. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family.
