Meet the Share team

 

Love Abolade, Head of Student Wellbeing and Impact

Love has worked across social care services for many years and previously worked in a senior-level role developing and operating mental health accommodation support services. Love has a qualification in social work as well as a law degree and has worked across a variety of areas including criminal justice and homelessness. Her favourite pastime is travelling, and Love also enjoys learning new languages.

Leila Alcalde, Lead Horticulture Trainer

Leila first joined Share as bank staff and her role became permanent a few months later. She now delivers accredited training for City and Guilds and Skills for Working Life in Horticulture. She has worked with adults with learning difficulties and with mental health issues since 2015 as part of different garden projects in Spain, Germany, and the UK. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture (RQF Level 6) and has been awarded the Diploma of Professional Development with Merit in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture. In addition to her work at Share, she co-founded the Spanish Association in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture where she delivers training and counselling to other professionals.

Leila loves working in the garden with our students, adapting the tasks to their abilities and enhancing their wellbeing. She previously worked as an Occupational Therapist Assistant assessing people’s ability to work and live independently, as well as promoting social inclusion, so she is keen to support Share students to move forward into paid or voluntary jobs.

Gabby Andrews, HR and Office Administrator

Gabby joined Share after working in communications and e-commerce. Gabby previously volunteered at Bookmark, helping children with their reading and literacy confidence. She also worked at MS International Federation during their global fundraising campaign. Gabby loves cold water swimming and reading books.

Gabrielle Antoniou, Client Engagement and Family Liaison  

Gabrielle first joined Share as a bank tutor teaching Digital Skills and Independent Living Skills in 2015. She subsequently spent some time as our Digital Inclusion Manager and now divides her time between co-ordinating client engagement activities and family liaison work. Prior to joining Share, Gabrielle worked as an Information Analyst at the NSPCC and as a Facilitator at Making The Leap. Gabrielle has taken part in various international voluntary schemes including teaching, community development, youth work and conservation, also volunteering to support the homeless and Syrian refugees in Greece. Gabrielle also volunteers on our Go Anywhere, Do Anything project as a Social Buddy.

Gabrielle holds a BA (Hons) Sociology degree from the University of Nottingham. 

Brittany Baker, Community Learning Facilitator

Brittany first joined Share as a bank worker before becoming a permanent member of staff as a support worker a few months later. Brittany has since been promoted to Community Learning Facilitator. Prior to working at Share, she worked as an activities coordinator in a health care facility in Ontario, Canada. Brittany has a background in Recreation Therapy and has a diploma as a qualified Recreational Therapist. She's worked with children, adults, seniors, and those with learning disabilities in different workplace settings to help them maintain their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Brittany is passionate about working with people and very excited to learn more about each student at Share.

Paul Bowers, Assistant Facilitator

Paul has over 15 years' experience working with adults with learning disabilities and autism in supported living, outreach and one-to-one community support. He previously worked for an educational charity focusing on training and supporting adults to achieve greater independence and wellbeing, and he's a qualified Travel Trainer. Paul also ran performing arts sessions devising student-led original pantomimes, which were performed for local schools and arts festivals. 

When he’s not at Share, Paul can be found watching Brentford FC,  walking the dog, and performing comedy cabaret around the UK. 

 

 

Robert Boyce, Head of Training and Digital Integration

Robert joined Share in 1998. He is a qualified computer programmer and worked in private business before joining Share. He first worked as a trainer at Share, teaching Information Communications and Technology (ICT). Now, Robert oversees vocational training and digital integration, with a focus on getting the digital aspects right and functioning at all levels of Share, and managing the accredited learning we deliver. Robert is passionate about learning and teaching, with a particular interest in the use of technology as an aid to training.

Abi Carter, Chief Executive Officer

Abi joined Share as CEO in May 2022, having worked in sport, politics and housing in the public, private and third sectors.

After working as a sports journalist and in Westminster as an MP's researcher, she joined Marylebone Cricket Club - the owner of Lord's Cricket Ground - in 2008. As Head of Strategy and Public Affairs, she produced the first strategy in the Club's 225-year history and worked on several major development projects to upgrade the 200-year old ground. In 2018 she became Director of the MCC Foundation, and established projects in London and Nepal to bring cricket to more girls, minority ethnic groups and young people with poor life chances - using it as a force for social good.

Most recently she was Head of Growth and Partnerships at Dot Dot Dot, a social enterprise that keeps empty properties safe by turning them into inexpensive housing for people who volunteer for good causes.

She chaired Paddington Development Trust, which provides employability, training, health and cultural programmes to some of London's most deprived communities from 2017-2022.

Away from work, she can be found swimming in ponds and lidos, going to countries she's never visited before, and delighting in Liverpool FC.

Tia Carr, Health and Wellbeing Facilitator

Tia is very passionate about her role and promotes wellness and purpose while upholding Share's values. She has two degrees; one in education with psychology and counselling, and another in mental health studies.

Prior to working at Share, she worked in numerous SEN settings including at Generate Opportunities. Her experience stems across many fields including addiction and dependency, mental illness, hospitality, and more. 

Away from work, she is an ambitious entrepreneur who promotes self-growth and a limitless mentality and strength, while keeping up with her duties as  Miss Greater London 2023.

Steven Chandler, Lunchtime Activities Leader

Steven supports our students during lunchtime activities. He has a degree in editorial photography and has worked as a freelance photographer. Following some work for a mental health charity he joined Mind as a project worker, facilitating photography and art workshops in community mental health, preferring social care to the commercial world. Steven has exhibitions of his analogue photography, and enjoys urban fishing with his son, and making music.

Louis Daly, Independence And Life Skills Tutor 

Louis has supported adults with learning disabilities for several years, starting out as a personal assistant to his brother and then supporting groups at Cambridge House in Southwark, and also working at a day centre. Louis has a degree in history and worked previously in arts and humanities as a Digital Content Manager and Image Archivist. 

George Darwin, Gardener

George had his first taste of gardening with the 'Friends of Tooting Common' where he helped coordinate the volunteers. He then became an apprentice gardener for The Rookery at Streatham Common. Whilst working there he was part of a team that won a gold London in Bloom award, and 'best small park in London'. Before that he was the Data Records Officer for Battersea Park, collating bird data. George has a personal passion for teaching gardening and has always preferred working outdoors rather than in an office. He joined Share in June 2022 as a gardener at the Share garden in Tooting.

During his time at university he studied Ecology and Wildlife Conservation.

Marianna Davies, Wellbeing Officer

Marianna works in our wellbeing team and is passionate about equal opportunities for all, working to ensure that everyone who comes to Share has the best possible experience. Before this Marianna worked as a Positive Behavioural Support worker in Camden while she was finishing her studies.

Marianna completed a BSc in Psychology at the University of Leicester and an MSc in Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences at Kings College London.

Emily Dawson, Steps into Employment Facilitator

Emily joined Share to support our employability programme, facilitating our Steps into Employment sessions. Emily is a qualified teacher, having taught in secondary schools until 2014, when she began working in the charity sector in various training and education roles, most recently supporting students with autism and learning disabilities. She holds an MA and BA in Theology from Bristol University and a PGCE in Secondary Education from UCL Institute of Education. When she’s not running around after her two young children, Emily enjoys reading, helping out her local community, and seeing friends.

Phoebe Faulkner, Food Hub Coordinator

Phoebe started working in support work in 2020, and through this, found her passion for working with vulnerable adults and those with learning disabilities in different settings. Prior to joining Share she worked in a supported accommodation role with the Single Homeless Project. She has always been interested in cooking and food equality, having volunteered with the Refugee Community Kitchen in Calais and FareShare in Bristol. She holds a BSc Sociology Degree from the University of Bristol. Recently she has been learning how to make ceramics. Phoebe supports Share's new community food project.

Joseph Fitton, Go Anywhere, Do Anything Project Officer

Joseph (Joe) joined Share as a volunteer in 2014, and joined the staff team a year later. Joe works at Share part-time and helps to organise and run trips for members of our Go Anywhere, Do Anything project. He also coordinates Student Voice, a forum for students to voice their opinions and concerns.

Joe holds a degree in Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work from London South Bank University and a BA (Hons) in Music Technology. Joe is passionate about advocacy for disabled people, and is happiest when he can marry his creative skills within his current roles. 

Mitchell Gordon, Enrolment and Wellbeing Officer

Mitch joined Share after moving from Leicester to London. Prior to this, Mitch worked for two local authorities, including Leicester City Council and Nottingham City Council, as a Health and Social Care Officer. Mitch also has a background in special education and has worked as a Learning Support Assistant in schools that specialise in special educational needs and disability. Mitch is passionate about the wellbeing of others, and studied Creative Arts, Health and Wellbeing at the University of Derby, achieving a First-Class BA (Hons).

Florence Hansford, Garden Development Manager

Florence oversees Share Nurseries and our training and therapeutic activities at the Share garden. She's worked in community settings for many years, coordinating student sports at Goldsmiths, and working as a landscape gardener at Father Nature, a horticultural social enterprise, developing green spaces for the streets of Lambeth and in primary schools. She studied community development and youth work at Goldsmiths, carrying out placements with young people and vulnerable adults.

Florence has a passion for carpentry, women's football and helping more people access nature in the city.

Diana Harrison, Home Cooking Tutor

Diana initially joined Share as a volunteer, working at the Share Garden, and then supported various projects across the organisation for over two years. Most recently, she covered for the catering tutor role which gave her the experience to work as Share's home cooking tutor.

Prior to that she worked as an editor and communications manager in the not-for-profit sector.

Diana enjoys reading, craft and running.

Rachel Healy, Marketing and Communications Manager

Rachel manages Share's marketing and communications strategies. She worked in the private sector for many years in marketing roles for publishers and conference producers. Prior to Share she was Head of Marketing for a publisher and events producer aimed at the not-for-profit sector before taking a career break to have a family. Rachel holds a BA (Hons) degree in Combined Arts from the University of Leicester, a post graduate diploma in printing and publishing, and a certificate in social media management. 

Anja Imberechts, Lunchtime Activities Leader

Anja joined Share in June 2019 as bank staff and her role became permanent a few months later. As well as running lunchtime activities for our students, Anja also volunteers for our Go Anywhere, Do Anything project and works on our outreach support programme.

Anja holds a degree in shipping and forwarding and worked for over 10 years as a shipping coordinator, moving on to PA roles in large corporate organisations including the Association of British Insurers and various law firms.

Anja speaks several languages, is an avid reader, and plays guitar and keyboard. She’s been volunteering for many years for homeless and addiction services in Wandsworth and strongly advocates giving everyone equal opportunities and a chance to improve their quality of life.

Shem Jarrold, Maths & English and Music Tutor

Shem first joined Share in 2017 as a musicianship volunteer. He now teaches maths, English and music. He has worked with adults with learning disabilities since 2014 as part of a variety of projects and organisations. He is interested in the history of social music making, and the different ways people learn across cultures. 

Michael Kalman, Receptionist

Michael joined Share in January 2012. He works part-time covering the front desk every afternoon. He previously worked as a clinic assistant at St George's Hospital in Tooting, and first joined Share as a student after receiving radiotherapy treatment for a benign brain tumour in 2009. After initially studying IT, he subsequently undertook an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service. Michael also volunteers as a social buddy on our Go Anywhere, Do Anything project.

Michael Kind, Volunteer and Community Services Coordinator

Michael joined Share in January 2024 as Volunteer and Community Services Coordinator. Prior to joining Share, Michael previously worked for the campaigning NGO ShareAction, managing volunteer campaigns on social and environmental issues. They are also an experienced volunteer, having volunteered their time on a range of community projects. Michael has a BA in Politics and an MA in Social Anthropology.  When not at work, they can usually be found gardening, making music or climbing something.

Nirmalan Kugathasan, Chief Finance and Operating Officer

Nirmalan joined Share in 2007. He previously worked as a finance manager for a refugee community organisation for five years, and has experience in strategic financial and operational planning, and contract management. He is a trustee for the South West London Law Centre, where he was the treasurer from 2007 to 2012.

He holds an MBA and postgraduate diploma in charity financial management.

Emily Kwok, Music Tutor

After moving to London in 2021, Emily worked as an ABA Tutor in an educational service for young adults. With her BBA background, Emily had worked in several sectors including hospitality, HR, and government service in technology commercialisation in Hong Kong. From her volunteering experience, Emily realised her passion to support people with autism and learning disabilities. She then became a freelance music and academic tutor while completing her MA Music and Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy. Emily now works as Share's Music Tutor. She enjoys hiking, cycling, water sports and film photography.

Grant Lorimer, Digital Skills Tutor

Grant first joined Share as a music class volunteer. Having enjoyed this role and gained an appreciation of Share's work in the community, he became a permanent member of staff in October 2022 as a Senior Support Worker, before taking on the role of Digital Skills Tutor in early 2023.

Grant is a qualified teacher and has worked in secondary education, teaching ICT and Computing. The majority of Grant’s career before joining Share was in technology as a Software Consultant / Developer.

Outside of work, Grant is interested in community music and runs a community drumming group in Wimbledon.

Iain MacDonald, Community and Project Support Worker

Iain got an MA (Hons) Psychology in Aberdeen so long ago that it's barely worth mentioning. He has been in London all his working life, almost all of that time working with the written word in communications and editing in the Christian charity sector. After taking redundancy in April 2020, he was wondering whether working with people with learning disabilities and autism might be for him, and luckily the first people he found offering relevant volunteering opportunities during lockdown were Share. He became a classroom and lunchtime volunteer, and also joined the Befriending programme. Share taught - and continues to teach - him everything he knows about this work, and he joined the staff team in April 2022. 

Peri MacRae, Head of Volunteering and Community Services

Peri started volunteering with Share as a social buddy in 2017 on our Go Anywhere, Do Anything project. She loved it so much she was inspired to join Share as a permanent team member in January 2021 as our Volunteer and Community Services Manager, and has since become Head of Volunteering and Community Services. Peri’s background is in volunteer management and youth work. Before joining Share, she worked at the Prince’s Trust as Operations Executive – managing volunteer-led mentoring and personal development programmes, and at VSO supporting volunteers accessing the International Citizen Service.

Peri holds a BA in International Development from the University of East London.

Veronica Martel, Wellbeing Officer

After graduating from St Martin’s School of Art, Veronica began her career in art and design with a focus on film and video.  Veronica worked in film production for Channel 4 before moving on to a career in teaching. 

Moving on from a period of mainstream teaching, Veronica specialised in teaching students with a range of special educational needs. She became a lead teacher in autism and education, delivering training and leading Autism Accreditation status requests.

Before joining Share, Veronica supported adults with learning difficulties as an activity worker for the South London ‘Multi–Activity Centre’.

Veronica holds a BA in Art and Design, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (Teaching), a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism and an MA in Autism and Education.

Veronica started at Share as our Community Learning Facilitator before moving on to become Wellbeing Officer in our dedicated student wellbeing team.

Steve McGuane, Digital Skills Trainer

Steve first came to Share in 1999 as a student following a motorbike accident that left him wheelchair bound. He quickly achieved an array of qualifications, including an NVQ in Information and Commication Technology (ICT) Level 1, and an assessors A1/A2 qualification. After sometime working as a volunteer at Share, Steve successfully applied for a full-time position as an ICT trainer, and has been working at Share since 2003. Prior to his motorbike accident, Steve was a BT technician. 

Reena Naveratnam, Finance and Admin Officer

Reena provides financial and administrative support for our finance team.

She previously worked as an Accounts Assistant for Alpex Marine, a seafood exporter based in Sri Lanka.

She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and is working towards becoming an Associate Member of the CIMA.

Wendy Nicholson, Lunchtime Activities Leader

Wendy has experience working with various local community groups, including schools, hospices and churches. She supports and supervises students during their lunch break at Share, and organises and runs a range of lunchtime activities for our students to take part in. Wendy holds a Community Arts Leader Award from the Arts Community Exchange in Lambeth. 

Sebastian Rojas, Classroom and Community Assistant

Sebastian previously worked as an English teacher in Sardinia, Italy, and in housing services for the University of London. More recently he worked in volunteer management for the National Trust. 

Sebastian volunteers for Thrive in Battersea Park, where he supports client gardeners with learning disabilities. He also helps to run a community garden in South London.

Natalie Routledge, Senior Community and Events Fundraiser

Natalie previously worked in marketing and communications at the Science Museum, Action For Children, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and in various freelance roles, before joining Share as Senior Community and Events Fundraiser. Natalie came to know about the charity’s work when she moved to the local area and started volunteering with Share’s marketing and communications team. So when the fundraising and events role came up, she was eager to support the charity further. Looking for new fundraising opportunities and working to build strong relationships with local groups, organisations and schools, her role seeks to develop and deliver a range of new income streams for Share.

Julia Roxborough, Horticulture Job Coach

Julia first joined Share as a student in 2004 to study business studies. She originally trained as a landscape gardener and still runs a private gardening business. Having struggled with dyslexia for many years without realising, Julia has a keen interest in literacy and was therefore interested in exploring her own learning difficulties by teaching others. Julia holds Stage 1 and 2 City and Guilds teacher training qualifications Level 4, and a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) Level 5.

Diana Sawaya, Art Tutor

Diana joined Share as an arts and crafts volunteer in October 2015 and then joined Share's bank staff before becoming a permanent tutor in 2018.

Diana previously facilitated self-guided therapeutic arts programmes for a women's charity working with women who have experienced abuse, trauma, depression and grief. She has also worked in sheltered housing schemes around Wandsworth, delivering creative projects to older people, and those living with dementia, disabilities, and other additional needs.

Diana holds a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design and an Arts Diploma. Diana has a QCF Level 4 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) qualification and a Foundation Level certificate in Art Therapy awarded by the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

Rachel Simms, Support Worker and Cleaner

Rachel first came to Share as a trainee following her time at South Thames College. Following graduation and a period of work experience in Share's kitchen, Rachel became a permanent member of staff as an Assistant Chef, working alongside our Chef Tutor in the kitchen, supporting catering students and Share's social enterprise, Share Catering. Rachel has since moved over to support Share's horticultural training programmes at the Share garden in Tooting.

Claire Smith, Independent Living Skills Manager

Claire started her career in social work, after which she worked as a recruitment consultant. She subsequently became a job coach at a charity called Off the Streets and Into Work. She went on to work with Whizz-Kidz, helping to secure work placements for young disabled people across the UK. More recently, Claire worked at Imagine, at their Sutton project.

Before taking on her current role at Share, Claire was one of Share's job coaches running our steps into employment classes as part of our independent living skills programme. She now oversees our independence and wellbeing classes, aimed at making learning more practical and community focused.

Hannah Soodeen, Support Worker

Hannah graduated in sociology from the University of Bristol before working there to create accessible and inclusive opportunities for students to get involved in sport. Hannah also volunteered weekly with a wheelchair tennis group and the National Autistic Society's youth groups. Hannah supports students at Share in community and classroom-based activities across a range of projects.

Daisy Stephens, Enrolment and Family Liaison Coordinator

Daisy is passionate about inclusivity and previously worked with disabled people in a wide range of roles and activities from teaching courses on independence and movement to working in gardens. At Share, she works with potential new students looking to join our programmes, and once on board, works with them and their families to help embed the skills they've learnt at home.

Daisy graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles where she received a BA in Ethnomusicology, BA in Sociology and a minor in Disability Studies.

Michael Wheeler, Office Administrator and Receptionist

Michael previously studied at Loughborough University where he achieved a degree in Criminology and Social Policy. He looks after our reception area at Share's headquarters and provides general administrative support across the organisation. Michael previously worked in the Civil Service and in his spare time he enjoys athletics, powerlifting and going to the cinema.

Leah Zielke, Assistant Facilitator

Leah previously worked in education as a Special Education Assistant and Program Support Teacher in Vancouver, Canada, supporting students with learning disabilities and autism. Leah joined Share as a Support Worker and has since been promoted to Assistant Facilitator, supporting a range of our learning programmes. Outside of work, Leah loves reading, exploring London, and cooking.