Our Team

Here at Nansa, we are dedicated to improving the lives of people in Norfolk with disabilities and special educational needs. Meet the key-people who, alongside their superb teams, help Nansa to help others…

Jo – Receptionist

Jo reports to the Administration Manager of our Adults’ Services, and is a member of the Access and Progress team. Jo is based at the Adults’ Centre and, as receptionist, greets members and visitors attending the centre.

Lisa – Admin Assistant

Lisa reports to the Administration Manager of our Adults’ Services, and is a member of the Access and Progress team; who manage referrals and oversee administration associated with the development journeys of all adults accessing our support.

Mel – Senior Support Worker

Mel is the Senior Support Worker at our Adults’ Centre. As a member of the Adults’ Services Leadership Team, Mel helps with the induction/training of new staff, and ensures high standards of care are delivered to our members on a daily basis.

Nicola – Business Support Administrator

Nicola reports to the Head of Finance and Business Support (Ann) and is responsible for a wide and varied range of administrative tasks central to our charity operations.

Jacqui – Business Support Coordinator

Jacqui reports to the Head of Finance and Business Support and coordinates our central business support functions, which includes, recruitment, volunteering, training, and health and safety (across the charity).

Maddi – Engagement & Events Coordinator

Maddi reports to, and works closely with, Nansa’s CEO (Leon). Maddi is responsible for engaging with our stake-holders (communities, businesses, funders etc.) via our social media channels. Maddi also publishes regular updates and newsletters to staff, and helps coordinate our annual calendar of events.

Emma – Programme Manager

Emma is the Programme Manager of Link Up: Link-up is a social/leisure group for adults over the age of 18 years old with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Link-up provides members with opportunities to explore new interests, meet new friends and generally have fun!

Jacqui – Administration Manager

Jacqui is the Administration Manager for our Adults’ Services. Jacqui is responsible for the Access and Progress team who manage referrals and review/oversee administration associated with the development journeys of all adults accessing our support.

Koa – Assistant Manager

Koa is the Assistant Manager of our Adults’ Centre on Bowthorpe Road in Norwich. Koa line-manages and supports a team of Session Coordinators who deliver a varied programme of activities that promote wellbeing and independence.

Mike – Programme Manager

Mike is the Programme Manager of Milestones, and Train & Trade: Train & Trade is Nansa’s careers support service; offering a range of traineeships that aim to break down the barriers those with disabilities face when seeking to gain employment or access education. Milestones aims to prepare young people with SEND for adulthood by offering […]

Jay – Programme Manager

Jay is the Programme Manager of our Adults’ Centre on Bowthorpe Road in Norwich. At the centre, we deliver a varied programme of activities that promote wellbeing and independence. The programme is tailored to meet the specific needs of every individual who attends, furthering development and progression towards a set of agreed aims and personal […]

Anna – Charity Trading Manager

Anna reports to the Head of Finance and Business Support (Ann) and line-manages the retail team. Anna is responsible for the day-to day running of our Charity Shops in and around Norwich, as well as a premises from which we operate our online commerce (ebay).

Frankie – Programme Manager

Frankie is the Programme Manager of our Sleep Service. The Sleep Service aims to be there for families of children, with SEND, experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties; and is currently funded by the NHS Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Chelsea – Programme Manager

Chelsea is the Programme Manager of our Steps & Stages service. Formerly known as a School for Parents, the Steps & Stages programme is funded by Norfolk County Council and the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. Steps & Stages offers specialist early interventions that promote the development of pre-school children, who have a […]

Kate – Programme Manager

Kate is the Programme Manager of our SENsational Families service. Funded by The National Lottery, SENsational Families is a FREE service offered by Nansa. Our experienced Family Support Advisers (FSAs) offer advice, guidance and support to families of children (from birth to 24yrs old) with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), whether diagnosed or suspected.

Sarah – Project Manager

Sarah is the Project Manager of Dragons On the Move; an accessible programme, funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, and delivered in partnership with Active Norfolk. Dragons On the Move reviews public places such as leisure centres, community centres and greenspaces for accessibility. On these visits, they look for facilities such as disabled […]

Amanda – Project Manager

Amanda is the Project Manager of DRAGONs and Visible: The DRAGONs (Disability Real Action Group of Norfolk) are a group of young people with disabilities that are looking to make sure that SEND opportunities, in Norfolk, are accessible and that young people are enjoying their services. Visible is a project launched by Nansa in 2023, […]

Anna – Head of Children and Family Services

Anna is the Head of Children and Family Services and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). Anna manages the SENsational Families and Steps & Stages programme managers (Kate and Chelsea) who are responsible for delivering a varied package of support for families of children with SEND.

Michelle – Head of Adults’ Services

Michelle is the Head of Adults’ Services and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). Michelle manages a team of highly skilled programme managers who, together with the wider leadership team, are responsible for delivering a varied package of Support for Adults.

Ann Wootton – Head of Finance and Business Support

Ann is the named Company Secretary at Nansa; and as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) works closely with the CEO and Trustees of Nansa to develop the financial elements of our Business Plan; as well as producing regular financial reports and ensuring that all departments operate in accordance with Nansa’s Financial Procedures. […]

Leon Knight-Smith – CEO

Leon has overall responsibility for the leadership of the charity. Leon works alongside Nansa’s Board of Trustees, Head of Finance, and the wider Senior Management Team (SMT), to ensure the charity operates in a safe and effective way, and that staff are enabled to provide our service-users with the highest standards of care, advice, and […]