OADG trustees are all volunteers and do a wonderful job of keeping the organisation going in an enthusiastic and supportive way. If you are interested in being a trustee for OADG please contact us for further information.

CHAIR: Jill Parker

Jill joined OADG in 2005 with extensive experience of working with volunteers. Jill worked as a social worker from 1972 until her recent retirement. During that time she worked with children, older people, people with mental and physical illnesses or disabilities, and with people with learning disabilities. Latterly, Jill worked with people with learning disabilities, particularly those with complex needs and those in transition from childhood to adulthood. In addition, Jill was a member of her local Adult Education Management Committee.

VICE-CHAIR (Policy): Hilary Pogg

Career as probation officer, local authority social worker, then manager, lecturer in social work at Oxford then Sussex University, advocate with National Youth Advocacy Service, expert witness and then guardian for National Youth Advocacy Service. Some research work and training. Hilary joined the committee as a trustee in 1995.

VICE-CHAIR (Practice): Pat Stanley
Pat is a qualified social worker and home teacher. Pat spent thirty-nine years working for the social services department with children and families, learning and physical disabilities, and with children in care or leaving that care. Pat has a special interest in child protection and working with vulnerable adults. Pat is also a part-time carer of her grand-daughter who has cerebral palsy, and brings that perspective to the committee. Pat is the treasurer for the Hernes House Association, a specialist respite centre for children who have learning and physical disabilities.  In addition Pat is involved with Housing Options for people with a Learning Disability (HOLD). Pat has been a trustee since 1997.

TREASURER: Mervyn Stanley

Mervyn has a background in working for local government. Mervyn worked for 35 years in the social services department including acting as an ‘approved social worker’ within the field of mental health. Mervyn also spent two years as a residential worker within a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit. At another point, Mervyn managed residential and day services for people with a learning disability. Mervyn’s financial skills stem from his first working in a costing and wages department before moving to the treasurer's department where he studied accountancy. He has also been involved with stock controls and the financial management of small businesses. For several years and until recently he was the treasurer of the Wheatley Social Club. Mervyn has been a trustee since March 2002.

SECRETARY:

Post currently vacant - if you are interested please do get in touch.

Tammy Bond

A trustee of My Life My Choice, which is a self advocacy group for people with a learning disability living in Oxfordshire. Tammy is a member of the fund raising sub-committee. Tammy has a learning disability and is partially sighted. Tammy joined the committee as a trustee in March 2003.

Michael Edwards

Michael is a member and trustee of MLMC. Michael has a learning disability and is on the blind register. Michael contributes to ensuring that OADG’s communications are accessible. Michael is also a member of Oxfordshire Association for the Blind where he is active in raising money for the organisation. Michael became a trustee in 1995.

Catherine Gundry

Has had a career in mainstream social services and the voluntary sector spanning almost forty years, promoting access to and provision of user led services. Catherine is currently the regional manager of the Oxfordshire Befriending Network, she is a UKCP registered psychotherapist, chair of the Source Foundation International, and a trustee of the Core Process Psychotherapy Association. Catherine joined OADG as a trustee in 2004.

Gill Howe

Gill trained and practiced as a medical social worker before going abroad to work in community development in Malawi and Vanuatu (in the Pacific). Latterly she combined lecturing to social work students with her job as training officer with Oxfordshire Social Services. Now retired, she still does some freelance training. Her particular interest is in disability issues. Gill was co-opted to the committee in 1995 and became a trustee in 1998.

Janet Knight

Janet trained and practiced as a scientist (chemistry and mathematics), before becoming a mother and later an accountant. She has brought her financial expertise to the aid of a variety of charities. Janet has also worked as a volunteer at a MIND day centre, and as a day centre worker with people with dementia. Janet has also worked as an advocate for ALLIES and spent 5 years as a voluntary advice worker with the CAB, where she had a particular interest in housing and benefits issues. Prior to retirement, Janet worked for Oxford City Council in their Housing and Benefits department. Janet became a trustee in June 2003.

Diana Roberts

Diana trained as a social worker and has worked in adult social care for over 25 years - primarily with younger adults with a physical disability or life threatening conditions, and for the last 15 years with older people. In the latter part of her career, prior to retirement, she had responsibility for strategic planning and commissioning for services and spent much of her time working with partner organisations in the NHS and the voluntary sector.

In retirement Diana is a Trustee of Age Concern Oxfordshire, a member of the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust Patient and Public Involvement Forum, which aims to make sure the voice of the individual patient is heard and that large statutory organisations engage with members of the public when making changes to services. She is also a Trustee of an educational charity in South Africa linking schools in Oxfordshire with schools in deprived and rural parts of South Africa.

 Martyn Bishop

Martyn Bishop has been involved with those with learning disabilities since the birth of his son some 50 years ago. Initially, he was involved with the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children, which became MENCAP, where he was Chairman of a local society branch and was particularly involved in raising public awareness and fund raising.
The Mental Heath Act, which gave those with learning disabilities the right to education and access to training, was an early triumph. Latterly, Martyn has been involved with Home Farm Trust where he was a trustee for six years and Chairman of the HFT Pension Fund. For the last two years Martyn has been an advocate with OADG, work he relinquished on becoming a Trustee.