Our trustees govern our organisation, they hold us accountable to our organisational strategy and bring their skills and expertise to strengthen our direction and delivery. Here you’ll find information about their meetings and who they are!
What trustees do – Board meetings
Who are our trustees?
Richard is a passionate supporter of Shared Lives having seen the difference it makes to people’s lives. Richard has been a Director of Social Services, worked for government and been a senior executive in the NHS.
Richard continues to be involved in social care and health through a range of consultancy work and as a board member of Anchor Trust and Action on Hearing Loss. Richard is a keen walker and enjoys music and bird watching. He is currently learning to play the trumpet! |
Find Richard on Linkedin: Richard Jones
Ian read Economics at university and is an Accountant by profession. He was Finance Director of one of the largest metropolitan councils for 15 years and now has his own business advising on financial management and pension fund management.
He holds a season ticket holder at Manchester United, (one of the rare breed who actually hails from Manchester…!) and enjoys being a member of the National Trust. He has supported us for over 10 years. |
Ian Coleman – Treasurer
I have been a Shared Lives Carer for eight years and am currently a co-carer rep for the Birmingham scheme. My background prior to becoming a Shared Lives carer has been in the education, and health and social care for over twenty years as a teacher, lecturer, trainer and foster carer. I am also a grandmother (loving every moment) as it gives me a chance to relive my childhood and parent coach and would say in three words that I am resilient, resourceful and supportive.
I joined the board of trustees because I feel that I can bring valuable insight and understanding from my role a Shared Lives carer, I love the model and am interested in scheme development and raising awareness. I bring to the post the diverse skills and experience that I have acquired during my career and this can be used whilst supporting Shared Lives carers and applying my wisdom within the role of trustee. I want to ensure that the wonderful unsung work of carers who are part of Shared Lives plus are well supported. Their voices can be heard through mine and I am passionate to ensure Shared Lives Plus, and its carers are continuously recognised within a UK professional role. As a Trustee I feel that my experience as a carer and my professional career including director of a company that supports people who have faced adversity, empowers them to be productive within the community and helps them to lead independent lives has equipped me to be part of the board. |
Tenure: To be extended, date TBC
I’m Carol, first and foremost I am a mother of three adult children but my greatest joy are my three grandchildren. You see life differently through their eyes and I love spending time with them. I am very active, I do pilates, dance and yoga. Go cold water swimming and paddle boarding, I’m in a choir and last week filmed an advert, although if you blink you’d miss me, but it was great fun. I also like reading particularly historical novels and walking.
I have worked in health or social care since I was 17, starting as a psychiatric nurse, then moved into community and general nursing. I then helped set up a Community Centre in South Shropshire in what had been a Local Authority Care Home. Followed by a move to Social Care where I have remained and first heard about Shared Lives or Adult Placement as it was known then. My Myer Briggs personality type is ENFP Extraverted INtuative Feeling and Perceptive and I would say this is an accurate picture of me and has served me well throughout my career. |
Tenure: Until 22/06/26
Born in the Midlands – now living in Mid Wales [Powys]. Married to a most supportive and understanding husband. We have three children between us – all grown up and married. So have been blessed with eight grandchildren.
I am a Shared Lives Carer and have been for many years before that I was a Foster Carer with a private company. I have also worked within Social Services with young probationers helping them get back into full time employment and settle their lives into a manageable routine. I enjoy helping the local community with various events / charity fundraisers / and schemes to enhance our area where we live. I have sat as a local Magistrate for many years – also elected as the chair of the Youth Panel for Wales. Helping others seem to be my middle name – so the family say. They also say I am a tough ole cookie whatever that means. I visit my son who lives in Sydney Australia as and when I can. I enjoy all kinds of Craft and have my very own ‘She Shed’ which is heaven and I make things for local craft fairs nearby, and art [water colours mainly]. |
Tenure: Until 22/06/26
David is the Head of Service for Grace Eyre’s Homeshare service and Shared Lives scheme. Grace Eyre is a charity dating back to 1913, based in Sussex and covering the coast as well as areas of London. The charity specialises in supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people to live the lives they want.
David joined Grace Eyre in 2006, and has been the registered manager for the Shared Lives scheme since 2021. In January 2024 he set up Grace Eyre’s Homeshare service, which launched fully in June 2024. To him it made real sense to add this service to the charities offering, as it supports people during such a challenging time for the country. David has a passion for photography and can often be found capturing events for small charities and running organisations. As well as being a keen cyclist and runner to help stay active and healthy. |
Tenure: Until 20/06/27
I have worked in adult social care provision for more than 20 years and in addition to trustee for SLP, I am currently the Chief Executive for Ategi, a charitable provider of support services (including Shared Lives, supported living & community support) for people with additional needs across Wales and England.With a MSc in Health & Social Care, I have sat on various governance boards, steering committees and project boards including The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, The Royal College of Art and Association for Real Change. I am presently in my second term as a trustee for ACEVO, Association for Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations.
Prior to social care, my initial career was with information technology in the corporate sector where although I enjoyed tech, I felt disconnected from society and unable to contribute. I am driven by a constant curiosity and open mind to ‘do things differently and better’, especially where I can have a positive influence and impact on the lives of others. Living in Wales, I have a varied range of interests including gardening, quilting and (despite being vertically challenged) I am an avid motorcyclist. |
Tenure: Until 22/06/26
Aisling is Chief Executive of Certitude since 2005. Aisling started her career in psychology and has spent the past 30 years working within not-for-profit organisations, seeking to improve life opportunities for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.
Aisling is also a Trustee of 2 national charities seeking to improve the life chances for disabled people. |
@AislingDuffy_
Tenure: Until 22/06/26