Meet the team

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.

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 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.

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 enjoys getting to know each student at Share.

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 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 our training programmes and manages 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.

Eve graduated from London College of Fashion with a degree in Technical Effects for Performance in 2013. Committed to a career in the arts, but with a real desire to help others, she worked as a PA to a young Paralympian woman with cerebral palsy whilst also freelancing as a special effects modelmaker in the film industry. Eve then went onto train as an art teacher, working at a school in Lambeth for six years, supporting students with a range of needs to reach their creative potential.

Eve joined Share after completing a Masters in Art Practice, Health and Wellbeing. She has delivered several creative wellbeing projects within local communities and is hugely passionate about the important role creativity can play in enhancing a person's overall wellbeing.

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.

Mhairi holds an undergraduate music degree from Manchester University, and a MSt in Musicology from The University of Oxford where she looked at the provisions of access for deaf people provided by rave and opera organisations. Alongside her degrees, Mhairi enjoyed volunteering for music outreach projects, working with adults with learning disabilities and children in schools, as well as teaching English to migrant communities.

Prior to joining Share, she worked as a coordinator for Collective Aid’s project in Calais, Northern France, supporting the running of a WASH and community centre, and distributing non-food items to displaced men at the border. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and playing the trumpet.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Alice has 15 years' experience working with adults with learning disabilities. Most of that time was spent working at an independent advocacy organisation running and then managing projects that supported people to become self advocates, and to speak up about their own lives and the lives of others locally, regionally and nationally. This included setting up a Learning Disability People's Parliament where employment was a key theme, and co-producing and delivering training sessions with, and for, people with learning disabilities. Alice regularly facilitated consultations and ran events, workshops and groups in various settings. She strongly believes in everyone having equal opportunities, everyone having a voice, and supporting people in ways that work for them.

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).

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 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 and a post graduate diploma in printing and publishing. More recently she retrained in social media marketing management.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Jake has worked with adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism for over 19 years as a support worker, youth worker, and project coordinator. He's also provided training for service users, parents and carers, and other professionals in the field. Being the Assistant Chef Trainer at Share is the perfect role for Jake, combining his passion for providing high-quality services for adults with learning disabilities and autism with his love of cooking. In his free time, Jake spends time with his partner and baby daughter, and pursues his other passions - music and being a DJ.

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.

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 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 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 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.

Harry first joined Share as an Assistant Facilitator before moving to his current role as Garden Community Hub Coordinator at the Share Garden site in Tooting. He has a passion for understanding the barriers faced by different groups in society and enjoys working with our students to enable them to reach their full potential. Harry moved to London in 2024 after living, studying and working in horticulture in Bristol and also New Zealand for a year, during which time he worked on market gardens. When not at work, Harry can be found enjoying music and the cinema, reading, or exploring London.

Before joining Share, Ashley had come from a diverse background of experience since graduating from the University of Kent with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art a decade ago.

She has worked in front of house admin and reception in a college for students with autism, been a Social Media Manager, and in recent years a UI/UX Designer and Freelance Web Designer.

Some of her favourite hobbies include going to cinemas, art galleries and museums, digital illustration work, web design, yoga, dancing, and listening to music on noise-cancelling headphones. She also LOVES cats and chocolate!

Leah first joined Share as bank staff on reception and after chatting to our students and getting to know them, she wanted to be more involved with supporting our students to achieve their full potential. So a year later she joined Share as a support worker.

Prior to working at Share Leah has worked For Age UK, Breast Cancer Haven and for the NHS.

When she's not at Share, Leah works as a supporting artist and does acting work, and she writes poetry for her online blog “I am Words” and screenplays for her company “Real Women Films”

She also loves to sing!

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.

Before joining Share Lesa worked as a teaching assistant in a SEN school for 21 years, which she found very rewarding. Lesa worked alongside teachers in art, P.E. and food technology. She started volunteering at Share as a social buddy in 2020 before becoming a bank support worker with us after taking early retirement in February 2024. Lesa enjoyed this so much she became a permanent member of staff becoming Assistant Facilitator in late 2024.

Outside of work, Lesa has two grown boys and three granddaughters with whom she spends as much time with as possible. She loves soulful house music and her happy place is the dance floor!

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 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 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 graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Bristol before working there to create accessible and inclusive opportunities for students to get involved in sport. She also volunteered weekly with a wheelchair tennis group and the National Autistic Society's youth groups. Hannah first joined Share as a support worker and then became an Assistant Facilitator. She now works as a Sports and Fitness Facilitator, co-ordinating and coaching Share's sports classes based at the Black Prince Trust.

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.

Holly holds a BA (Hons) degree in Child Development and Playwork. Prior to joining Share, she worked for the NHS in adults and children's mental health within learning disability teams. She occasionally works at The Hepworth in Wakefield as an Art Support Facilitator.

Holly has a passion for merging creativity and wellbeing, often bringing creative expression practices and mindfulness together. She has a deep interest in learning about different cultures through volunteering and travel, having lived in Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia. Outside work, you might find her climbing a tree or practising yoga in a local park.

In Brazil, Leticia volunteered at an elderly care home and also interned at a family law office during her university years before gaining a permanent position there.

Here in London, Leticia began her culinary career as a Commis Chef and sucessfully worked her way up to Chef de Partie. She also volunteered at an immigration office for three months, helping people to immigrate legally and safely into the UK. Share is Leticia's first experience working with adults with learning disabilities. She loves learning new things and is passionate about providing a safe place for Share students to learn and gain greater independence.

In her free time, Leticia likes to watch movies with her cat and read books.