Latest Causes
THE AIM HIGHER TEAM
Who we are.
Aim Higher are a local charity run by these fabulous people...
GILL JAGGER
Trustee (Founder)
Gill was a founder of Aim Higher back in 2016 and is the current Chairperson. she is a mum of two - her youngest son has autism, which gives her lots of hands on experience. Gill loves campaigning, fundraising and empowering autism, neurodiversity and special needs. Gill is also the chair for Hull and East Riding SEND employment forum and is enjoying the challenge of trying to raise the uptake for employment and supported internships in the area. in her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, running and studying.
Nicola Robinson
Trustee (Founder)
Nicola is a founder of Aim Higher and feels her experience having a child who is now an adult diagnosed with autism at the age of 5 gives her a great understanding and empathy towards other families facing similar barriers. Her son has experienced difficulties with his mental health and feels this is an area of support that really needs improvement. Nicola has worked in a school which gives her an insight into the education system and how it can impact children with neurodiverse conditions. Nicola is passionate about empowering people to be their best and push boundaries. Her favourite quote is "Behaviour is communication. change the environment and behaviours will change" - Lana David.
Tom Simpson
Trustee
Tom is a happily married father of two boys, he loves music (gigs and records), sport (football, rugby and golf) and in his spare time owns a recruitment company and a couple of apps. Tom has a real passion for championing the disadvantaged and is a proud socialist.
Phil Bean
Trustee
Phil has been a trustee of Aim Higher for 2 years. In his professional working life, Phil is Managing Director at Kaizen Group and Bean Group, based in Hull. With a successful 29-year career in IT, Technology, Design & Web. Phil has helped start, develop, and grow many successful businesses. Phil is an established business consultant, coaching and mentoring in businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to SMEs, and large enterprises. Phil is a dedicated husband to Tina and a father of three. Their two eldest children are diagnosed with autism and continue to be supported as they continue their journeys through university and entering the world of work. As a family, they can relate to the experiences many other families face, both pre and post diagnosis, and throughout the process of attaining an EHCP. They are proud to see all three children doing well, overcoming challenges, and being the best versions of themselves. Phil is keen to support Aim Higher in its continued mission to support and empower families with neurodiversity.
Scarlett Leedham
Trustee
Scarlett is the founder and director at Connect Therapy Services. She qualified as an occupational therapist BSc (Hons) from York St John University in 2009, gaining a Post-Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration in 2012. She previously worked as the Lead Occupational Therapist within a third sector organisation, leading their sensory integration for 6 years. Scarlett is passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable Occupational Therapist who uses the most up to date clinical evidence to ensure best practice. She works closely with Directors, Local Education Authority Commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Trustees, School Business Managers, and professionals, raising the awareness of sensory processing difficulties and sensory integration. Scarlett loves the outdoors and going for long walks with her husband, children and Queenie, as well as paddleboarding and aerial dance.
Dave Beilby
Trustee
A parent rep in Aim Higher's early years, a dad of 2, one of which is fiercely intelligent and sensitive but also has autism and an ever growing list of co-morbidities. Both are teenagers and have their own sporting love and focus - one is a Special Olympics swimmer and the other plays Rugby League, I am a registered volunteer for Special Olympics and a trainee official of the RFL. Due to recent circumstances my specialities are autism burnout / chronic fatigue as well as environment and autism following the work of Dr Luke Beardon and his research unit at Sheffield Hallam University. Dave became a trustee in 2018 to help "steady the ship" after a brief period of upheaval. Dave also does work with Hull Parent Carer Forum around trying to shape local services better for families in need and also liaised with TICs and their sibling support service. This is on top of the "day job" on the railway and outside of all that any spare time is spent watching football and rugby, the great outdoors, theatre and model railways.
Amy Gray
Trustee
Amy is a Chartered Financial Advisor, and founder of Amy Gray Wealth Management. With 16 years of experience in the industry, Amy supports her clients to fulfil their financial goals giving them confidence to embrace the present while securing a comfortable future for them and their families. As Aim Higher's newest trustee, Amy is passionate about supporting Hull and East Yorkshire families and keen to promote social inclusion for children and young adults with autism. Amy was born in Hull and lives in the city with her husband and their two little girls Orla and Erin. In her spare, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, swimming and teaching arm knitting.
Scarlett Leedham
Trustee
Scarlett is the founder and director at Connect Therapy Services. She qualified as an occupational Therapist BSc (Hons) from York St John University in 2009, gaining a Post-Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration in 2012. She previously worked as the Lead Occupational Therapist within a third sector organisation, leading their Sensory Integration for 6 years. Scarlett is passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable Occupational Therapist who uses the most up to date clinical evidence to ensure best practice. She works closely with Directors, Local Education Authority Commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Trustees, School Business Managers, and professionals, raising the awareness of sensory processing difficulties and sensory integration. Scarlett loves the outdoors and going for long walks with her husband, children and Queenie, as well as paddleboarding and aerial dance.
Dave Beilby
Trustee
A parent rep in Aim Higher's early years, a dad of 2, one of which is fiercely intelligent and sensitive but also has autism and an ever growing list of co-morbidities. Both are teenagers and have their own sporting love and focus - one is a Special Olympics swimmer and the other plays Rugby League, I am a registered volunteer for Special Olympics and a trainee official of the RFL. Due to recent circumstances my specialities are autism burnout / chronic fatigue as well as environment and autism following the work of Dr Luke Beardon and his research unit at Sheffield Hallam University. Dave became a trustee in 2018 to help "steady the ship" after a brief period of upheaval. Dave also does work with Hull Parent Carer Forum around trying to shape local services better for families in need and also liaised with TICs and their sibling support service. This is on top of the "day job" on the railway and outside of all that any spare time is spent watching football and rugby, the great outdoors, theatre and model railways.
trustees@aimhighercharity.com chairperson@aimhighercharity.com
© Aim Higher. All rights reserved. Designed by Kaizen Creative. Sponsored by Evoke Technologies.
