Our Staff
Leise Cooper – Parent Support Manager
Leise was involved in setting up Angels in 2003 and has been managing our services ever since. She has a BSc in Applied Psychology and Sociology and a Certificate of Higher Education in Autism (Children), as well as a Level 3 diploma in Working with Parents. She is currently studying for a Masters in Intellectual Disability and Autism. She was a school governor for thirteen years and has been a passionate advocate for improving services for children with autism and ADHD in Hertfordshire for over 20 years, including through the Herts All Age Autism Board and Herts Parent Carer Involvement. She is the Safeguarding lead for Angels. Leise has two adult sons with Autism and ADHD, one of whom additionally has a severe learning disability and epilepsy, and she has been assessed as being on the autistic spectrum herself.
Leise is the Designated Person responsible for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Kirsten Sabine – Meetings Supervisor and Specialist Support Practitioner
Kirsten became a member of Angels in 2009. She went on to become a trustee in 2010. Then in 2011 she started working for Angels as an Administrator and Meetings Supervisor. Since then she has completed various training courses through The Money Advice Unit around benefits, Safeguarding Adults and Children courses and is a licensed facilitator with Care for the Family this enables her to run parenting courses and facilitate support groups. She is also a qualified first aider. She has just recently completed a Reducing Parental Conflict course through Herts County Council. She has completed a Level 2 IPSEA online course around SEN law, as well as an online course from the British Safety Council on Health and Safety. As of 2019 Kirsten has also joined the One to One service supporting parents outside of our support groups. Kirsten has a son who is diagnosed with ADHD and Autism.
Caroline Upcraft – Specialist Support Practitioner and Administrator
Caroline joined the Angels team in July 2020. Caroline has a Level 2 Qualification in Understanding Autism, and Level 3 IPSEA Qualifications in SEND Law. Caroline has completed training in Safeguarding Children and Adults and in ACE’s. Caroline has worked with the charity Homestart, where she has been trained Perinatal Mental Health Awareness and volunteered with them as a Parent Mentor supporting families with young children. Caroline has recently completed Facilitator training with Care For the Family. Caroline has 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter. Caroline’s eldest son is diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD, hyper mobile joints and has difficulties around anxiety. He has attended a specialist college. Caroline’s middle child has ADHD and attends mainstream school and her youngest daughter is neurodiverse. Caroline has a diagnosis of ADHD herself, so understands the challenges of being a neurodiverse woman.
Judith Russell – Specialist Support Practitioner
Judith has been a member of Angels Support Group since 2005 as parent to an autistic son and joined as a Specialist Parent Support Worker in 2017. She is a qualified Counsellor with a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Practice and has additional Coaching Skills training. She has helped deliver a Autism/ADHD psychoeducation programme to children and young people across Hertfordshire with Nessie, a local mental health support organisation. She provides counselling and support to Daisychains, a local charity running a pre-school parent and children group for children with additional needs.
She has previously volunteered as a Trustee for IPSEA, a national charity providing legal advice to parents of children and young people with special education needs and disabilities. She has also volunteered with Cruse Bereavement Care providing in the moment support for bereaved adults. She has achieved certification in the National Autism Training Programme and has qualified in IPSEA SEND Law Foundation Level.
Amanda Rogers – Specialist Support Practitioner
Amanda has recently joined the team as a Specialist Support Practitioner. Amanda previously supported families on the Add-vance Neurodiversity Support Hub helpline providing information signposting and support to parent/carers and professionals, has a level 3 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring and also comes with lived experience as a parent herself. Amanda is a parent of a primary school aged son who has a diagnosis of Autism and ARFID and has an EHCP.
Amanda has been a member of Angels since 2024 as was supported by Angels through our 121 service which provided her with vital support in getting the right provision on place for her autistic son.
While not formally diagnosed, Amanda identifies as neurodivergent herself, and has first hand experience of the challenges of living in a ‘neurospicy’ household! Amanda hopes to be able to provide support to other families – she knows first hand how isolating and overwhelming the journey can be, and also the relief and reassurance in talking to others in the same situation.
Bethan Desai – Fundraising, Marketing and Administration Assistant
Bethan joined the Angels team in September 2022, following a 17-year career in the fast-paced advertising industry across Cardiff, Bristol, and London – where she specialised in Digital Media from 2009 and managed significant campaigns. Bethan has always had a passion for the charity sector, evidenced by her past advisory role with Media Trust in Wales and her involvement as Trustee and Secretary for Goslings Playgroup. As a member of Angels since 2020 and the mother of two young daughters who are now attending specialist school placements, they were recently diagnosed with multiple conditions between them including; Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties, Dyspraxia (DCD). Hypermobility and Arfid. Bethan's personal journey, including her Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism and ongoing training, her recent adult ADHD diagnosis and pending autism assessment, provides invaluable insight to her role.
Raine Simcox – Finance Manager
Our Trustees
Louise Slater - Chair
Louise is a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry working on the development of new treatments for rare diseases. She has been involved with Angels organising committee, initially as a Trustee and then as the Chair of the charity for the last 10 years. Her goal is to oversee the team, and make sure that everyone's voice is heard, to make sure that the charity reflects and meets the needs of its members.
Contact : chair@angelssupportgroup.org.uk
Hilary Forrester - Secretary
Hilary has been a member of Angels Support Group since 2007 and took over the role as Secretary in 2014. She has a Diploma in Health and Social Care from the Open University and a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences. Hilary has worked as Secretary to the Board of Science and Education, and Senior Policy Executive for Equality and Diversity at the British Medical Association and is currently a School Administrator and Librarian. Hilary has eight years experience as a school governor including as Vice Chair, Inclusion link governor and Clerk across four schools in Hertfordshire. Hilary has two sons, the eldest has Asperger Syndrome.
Hilary is the Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Rowena Crabtree
Rowena is a Director of a business consultancy, based locally, but operating internationally. She has experience of leadership, marketing, business strategy and vision & mission development.
Dr Kemi Adejare
Kemi is a Consultant Community Paediatrician in the East and North Herts NHS Trust, with a special interest in autism and ADHD.
Nicola Ager
Nicola is Head of Marketing at the BBC. She has over 35 years’ experience working with numerous blue chip companies to develop customer-led brand and communication strategies and campaigns. One of her current professional obligations is to implement tailored communications for vulnerable customers, working with a team of specialist agencies and stakeholders, including dedicated charities.
Helen Osment
Helen is Head of Fundraising at NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) . Helen has been a fundraiser for over 14 years working for a range of national charities in the health, education, youth and social welfare sectors.