The Sunflower Family

Director

Alison is a qualified teacher and ALNCo. Alison specialises in working with students with Specific Learning Difficulties and with Autism. Alison is registered with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) as an AMBDA as well as a member of the Professional Association of Teachers Of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS). Alison has also completed a MSc in Autism and Related Conditions and the National Autistic Society (NAS) core modules. 

Alison is an experienced Coach and Mentor and is currently studying towards the ILM level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring. Alison has worked for many years as a qualified hypnotherapist working with young people who have experienced trauma. In her free time, Alison is a keen yoga enthusiast and loves to take part in class or two at her local gym.

Director

Before retiring in 2010, Steve was Deputy Head teacher of a large comprehensive school in Swansea, Steve had responsibility for Child Protection and Safeguarding, Additional Learning Needs and the welfare and discipline system of the entire school. This gave Steve plenty of in-depth experience of multi-agency working and supporting care experienced young people and their carers.  Steve was passionate about developing student voice and participation. He established several initiatives such as the school student council, an academic mentoring service, a peer-mentoring and crisis counselling service, and a student led drugs education course. Swimming, windsurfing and sailing are long standing passions for Steve, along with hill walking and gardening. Steve is also a keen rugby enthusiast, with England and the British and Irish Lions being his teams to support.

Director

Helen is a qualified teacher with over 13 years experience working with care experienced young people across South Wales. Helen is passionate about supporting young people to become confident in themselves and their ability to take control of their lives, shape their own futures and fulfil their potential. 

Helen also has significant experience within the business sector as a recruitment manager. Helen uses this experience, skills and knowledge to support care experienced young people through education and into employment. 

In her spare time, Helen is a keen baker with her own celebration cake making business called ‘Cake Davies’. She also loves to walk her two Kerry Blue Terrier dogs. Helen has two sons who are keen cricketers and she can often be found watching them by the side of numerous cricket pitches across Wales.

Community Member Volunteer

Nic has an industry background before qualifying as a Design and Technology Teacher. She was recruited as a STEM Ambassador for the University of Wales, Newport Engineering and Teaching School early in her teaching career. She has worked within education for over 10 years and is an experienced Behavioural and Emotional Support specialist. Nic supports young people who have experienced trauma and disruption during childhood, particularly focussing upon nurture, mindfulness, emotional development and building resilience. Nic is passionate about supporting young people to believe in themselves and providing them with opportunities to try new things, gain life skills and access new opportunities. 

In her spare time Nic enjoys walks with her springer Mac and getting creative with design or DIY projects. Nic is a passionate rugby fan and is WRU qualified rugby coach. She has worked as a chef in the past for the fun of it and still loves to cook whenever possible!

Director

Rebecca trained as a Secondary Geography teacher at Aberystwyth University and taught at three comprehensive schools across south west Wales. Since 2007 Rebecca has worked at Swansea University as a widening access practitioner with the aim of engaging with primary and secondary school pupils who are currently underrepresented at higher education for example - care experienced young people. Rebecca really enjoys working face to face with children/young people and believes strongly that university education should be open to all.  Rebecca is a  massive fan of 80’s music!

 Director

Margaret has always lived and studied in Swansea. After leaving Olchfa School, Margaret entered Higher Education where she studied Business and Finance and through that met her husband.

Margaret is employed with the City and County of Swansea where she works in the Finance Department. 

Margaret has one son and one daughter. Her daughter is a Geography teacher in a local comprehensive school and her son is studying for his A Levels.

Margaret's interests include gardening and DIY and she loves to improve her knowledge by taking courses at the local college, including cookery, flower arranging, accountancy and computer courses. 

Margaret is a people person and she loves to organise events and loves to keep people connected, no more so than during the pandemic. Margaret loves to help others and she strongly believes that we can achieve so much more if we support and care for each other.

Margaret is also mother to two cats who were rescued from a skip, namely Angus and Molly, who she adores.  

 
I am also mother to two cats who were rescued from a skip, namely Angus and Molly who I adore.