Team
Our two office hubs are in Loughborough and Manchester. Many of us work remotely across England. Our Board is made up of highly experienced volunteers with a variety of skills to support our charity's strategy, policies and vision.
Please see below the details for staff, Board and Advocates. You can also use the contact us form for general information.
Found 28 team members.
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Courtney Perks
Communications ManagerSport is ingrained in Courtney's DNA. She joined the team in November 2014, following communication roles at two National Governing Bodies of sport. She brings a passion for marketing strategy to the table and is always on the look out for new opportunities to promote the charity's work. Never one to sit still, she regularly cycles to work and laces up her running trainers. One of her proudest moments is completing the Liverpool Half Marathon in 2018. Away from sport, she loves listening to music in the kitchen while cooking or baking. Later with Jools Holland is a TV favourite.
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Dawn Hughes
Strategic Partnership Advisor (East Midlands)Dawn is our relationship lead for work across the East Midlands and also heads up our national work with the leisure sector. This includes raising the profile of our renowned Inclusive Fitness Initiative. She is on hand to support leisure providers and operators to embed inclusive practice into their facilities. Dawn likes to run, and is known to sign up to a physical challenge or two!
- Dawn@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07788 423277
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Emma Chadwick
Project OfficerEmma is one of our programmes team Project Officers. She joined the organisation in April 2023 after spending 10 years working in the Middle East. Emma wants to see an inclusive approach to sport and activity for everyone. When not working, you’ll often find Emma hiking in the Peak District with her rescue dog, enjoying a good book or watching sports on the TV.
- emma@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07792 459803
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Helen Derby
Strategic Lead - ProgrammesHelen joined Activity Alliance in 2016, having worked within the health and education sector engaging disabled people in sport and physical activity. Helen leads on Activity Alliance programmes such as the Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme supporting disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Outside work Helen loves the outdoors, taking her dog for walks as well as supporting both her son’s active sports schedules!
- HelenD@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07764 291662
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Helen Newberry
Get Out Get Active Workforce LeadHelen is part of our programme's team, working on Get Out Get Active, having been the Engagement Advisor for the South West. Working with a wide range of partners, she is at the heart of developing and implementing workforce plans for the programme. A keen athlete, Helen can be found taking part in many running events. She is also a fabulous baker!
- HelenN@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07967 573345
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Jannine Walker
Head of Events and ProgrammesWith over 20 years of expertise in events and inclusion, Jannine is an experienced professional dedicated to fostering inclusive and accessible opportunities. Her extensive background includes expert event planning and delivery from international events to inclusive resource creation to support disabled people in being active and included. Showcasing a commitment to creating inclusive and impactful events and programmes. Jannine leads an experienced team of programme and events staff that bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for creating sustainable participation opportunities for all.
- Jannine@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07725 273158
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Jayant Mistry
Impact and Learning AdvisorJayant supports our engagement and programmes teams to embed better practices in their work. This could be through improvement plans or effective monitoring. Among his many sporting achievements, Jayant is a four-time Paralympic wheelchair tennis player and twice inaugural grand slam doubles champion. He was the Wheelchair Tennis Sport Manager at the London 2012 Games and part of the wheelchair tennis coaching team at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Jayant believes we can create a more open and inclusive society by increasing people’s confidence and competence. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Loughborough University and is an avid Leicester City fan.
- Jayant@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 0808 175 6991
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Kat Southwell
Head of Operations and ImpactBuilding on 15 years of inclusive programme management experience, Kat now leads on Activity Alliance’s Operations and Impact function. This includes developing the approach to business and operational planning and ensuring maximum efficiencies and impact through delivery. Outside of work Kat, loves to be outside, active and with friends!
- Kat@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07967 573343
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Lorraine Harris
Strategic Partnership Advisor (South West)Lorraine joined our partnerships team in 2021 as South West Strategic Partnership Advisor. Lorraine’s background includes supporting communities across Devon to lead more active lifestyles, and supporting organisations to provide more accessible and inclusive opportunities for Deaf and disabled people. With more than nine years’ experience, Lorraine is passionate about everyone having the choice to live the life they choose.
For fun, Lorraine plays rugby and is part of Crediton RFC’s first female ladies’ team. Her highlight so far is being awarded the most improved player after her first season. Her biggest achievement was climbing Kilimanjaro and being the second group to the summit. She is now busy planning her next trip to the mountains!- lorraine@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07436 245815
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Molly O'Brien
Senior Research and Insight AdvisorMolly joined the research team in 2022. She works closely with colleagues across the charity providing research support to understand disabled people’s experiences of being active. Molly is passionate about making a difference through research and insight. She enjoys collecting data and providing evidence that can make a positive difference and improvements for greater accessibility, equality, and inclusion for all disabled people across sport and physical activity. Molly loves being active outdoors, and regularly practises yoga and dance. When she’s not being super active, she loves to read. You will also find Molly cooking up a storm in the kitchen and baking some tasty treats.
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Nicola File
Strategic Partnership Advisor (South East)Nicola helps organisations to embed inclusive practices in their work, including the Active Partnerships. She was delighted to join our team in 2019 after working closing with Activity Alliance for many years in her previous role. Her biggest joy comes from building relationships with a wide range of people and seeing the difference it makes to disabled people. She is keen for others to see how much inclusion in sport and leisure really does change lives. Away from work, Nicola gets her dancing shoes on, supporting a local dance school. She reaps the mental and physical health benefits from seeing activity in action. It gets her up and about, moving more away from her laptop.
- nicola@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07976 779489
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Paul Downes
Strategic Partnership Advisor (Yorkshire and Humber)Paul joined the team in January 2023 to head up our partnership work across Yorkshire and the Humber. He has held several sport development roles in the public, private and third sectors. Most recently for a national charity supporting people with complex disabilities. Paul recently ran the London Marathon as a charity fundraiser and was very happy to finish in just under four hours. When he is not out and about with his family you can find him either running, walking the dog or singing and playing his guitar.
- paul@activityalliance.org.uk
- Phone
- 07946 069518