Neil has been involved in special education since 2005 and is the Headteacher of Amwell View School which is a special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties and profound and complex needs. Neil is the founder of the charity branch Special Olympics East Herts and received recognition in 2017 with The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary service by groups in the community.
Sandra has volunteered for over 20 years and has helped set up various sports clubs for children and adults with a disability. A parent of a young person who has a diagnosis of Autism with severe learning difficulties, she is able to understand the barriers that people with a disability have to overcome in order to enjoy the sports and activities that they love. Sandra’s goal is to make sure that our local community and county is inclusive, “because everyone should be able to achieve and be happy”.
Janet has experience of coaching swimming and coached Grace Harvey from 2008-2017. In 2011 Janet was appointed the Sports Development Officer for Special Olympics East Herts and was appointed as the SOGB Aquatics Head Coach for the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Antwerp, Belgium in 2014. She is proud to be a Trustee of HISI and wants to help athletes, coaches, sports clubs and groups break down barriers to participation and competition.
Charlie is a passionate advocate for inclusive sport, workforce development and community empowerment both across Hertfordshire and beyond. Having worked in the sport and activity for over 10 years, Charlie has deep experience working to drive change through sport and transform lives and communities.
Charlie will be taking the reigns as chair as the charity looks to grow its reach and impact and drive disability inclusion throughout sport and physical activity.
Matt has spent more than 30 years working in the sport and leisure sector, supporting a wide range of activities and communities. He currently serves as a Group Manager for the leisure charity Absolutely Together, which provides free leisure opportunities for families with additional needs.
In addition to his role there, Matt sits on the board of Barnes Football Club and is a trustee of both Maidenhead Cycle Hub and Age Concern.
With extensive experience across the Hertfordshire area, Matt is pleased to join HISI as a Trustee, having previously participated in collaborative meetings with other local operators.
Kirsty graduated from Brighton University with a degree in Sociology of Sport and Leisure with Physical Education. With a real passion for breaking down barriers and helping communities access sport and physical activity, she now works for Everyone Active, covering a large area of Hertfordshire. Understanding the barriers communities face in participating in sport, and working to remove them through meaningful programmes, partnerships and support is a key focus of her role. With 17 years’ experience in the sport and leisure industry, Kirsty is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming opportunities that help people lead healthier, more active lives.
Phil works for Herts LTA as Head of Community Outreach and with GLL at Gosling Sports Park as Tennis Outreach Manager. For over 14 years, Phil has been involved in developing and delivering inclusive tennis programmes, with a strong focus on widening access to the sport.
Phil is deeply passionate about opening tennis up to everyone in the community, particularly disabled participants, ensuring they can enjoy the physical, social, and mental health benefits that being active provides. Alongside direct delivery, Phil works closely with coaches and tennis clubs to support them in creating welcoming, inclusive environments, helping disabled players feel confident, valued, and fully included within their local tennis communities.
Maisie is currently completing a degree apprenticeship that combines studying Sports Business Management at the University of Hertfordshire with her role as an Equality and Inclusion Football Development Officer at the Hertfordshire Football Association.
With over five years of playing experience in para football, she represents England as part of the England Deaf Women’s Futsal Team and was recognised as Deaf Sport Personality of the Year in 2024.
Maisie is passionate about creating truly inclusive opportunities for everybody.
Caroline is the Community Sports Manager for GLL in Welwyn Hatfield, leading a wide range of projects that promote active, healthy and inclusive communities. With a strong focus on disability sport, dementia-friendly services, and widening participation, she works closely with local partners, clubs and national programmes to create environments where everyone can be active and thrive.Her experience spans community development, partnership working, and programme design, with a particular passion for breaking down barriers so that people of all ages and abilities feel welcome and supported in sport and physical activity. Caroline champions initiatives that celebrate diversity, amplify underrepresented voices, and build confidence through movement.As a Trustee of HISI, she brings her commitment to inclusion, her local knowledge, and her enthusiasm for community-led change.