Meet some of the people that make Speakeasy such a success
Gill Pearl
Chief Executive
By background, Gill is a speech and language therapist who has specialised in supporting adults who have neurological damage, in particular people who have had a stroke.
Gill has worked for many years in the voluntary sector and joined Speakeasy in 2002 as Chief Executive. Gill has forged extensive links with the wider national and international aphasia community and is a founding member of the UK Aphasia Alliance.
She has close links with University departments, stroke, and research groups and works creatively to improve community participation of people with aphasia.
Jo Jenner
Group Manager
Jo Jenner is Speakeasy’s Group Manager. She has oversight of Speakeasy’s weekly activity, members and volunteers and is involved in the planning, preparation and running of Speakeasy activities, listening to and responding to the needs of members, carers and volunteers.
Jo has a background in speech an dlanguage therapy and aphasia, having worked in the NHS for many years.
Jo also works as our Office Manager, responsible for administration, office management and finance, overseeing local fundraising and networking in the local community.
Mark Booth
Staff
Mark has had aphasia since having a stroke in 2013 when he was 43. He has volunteered for Speakeasy since 2016 and is now a staff member. Mark helps to provide peer support for members, and assists with our social-media presence, creating videos and photos of Speakeasy events.
Lucy Allard
Staff
Lucy has had aphasia since having a stroke in 2012 when she was 29. She has volunteered for Speakeasy since 2015 and is now a staff member. Lucy helps to provide peer support for members and works on raising awareness of aphasia.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are essential to the work of Speakeasy, they help members to receive the specific support that each person requires. All volunteers receive ongoing training to enable them to carry out a wide range of Speakeasy activities. Some volunteers help with office administration, fundraising and special events. Many of our volunteers also have aphasia. Read more about our volunteers and how you can get involved.
Trustees
All trustees at Speakeasy give their time and expertise to work in ensuring that Speakeasy operates to high standards They offer a variety of professional skills to strategically manage Speakeasy’s direction and purpose. Most live locally and aside from their regular meetings are on hand with support in their field of expertise when required. Speakeasy always has at least one trustee who has aphasia and one who cares for someone with aphasia.
- David Morton – Chair of Trustees
- John Holland – Legal Trustee
- John Lowe – Office systems/ process Trustee
- Kevin Winch – Local business owner
- Judy Hancock – speech therapist
- Angela Hibbert (MBA; BSc(Hons) Computing Technology) – Finance and IT
- Elizabeth Duncan – Volunteer
- Phill Prince – Supporter and Fundraiser