The KAYAKS Committee
Alison Bland
Trustee and Chair. My first year as chair has passed so quickly. Since starting my volunteering at KAYAKS I have been able to see the potential, the promise and the commitment of our volunteers to our members, local community and to each other. KAYAKS has so much to offer the community for all positive reasons. We are expanding all the time as and when we see the need in the borough. I want to be part of that growth and see us achieve and reach our ultimate goal. I am also a school governor for a special needs school and hold a full time job within Childrens Services. I have experience of running a youth football team with my partner and engaging young people in sport. I have ran a voluntary Youth Club. I have also a few years experience with the Youth Justice Service. For KAYAKS I use all of my learned skills to help and support all of our members.I have four children and five grandchildren. Three of my children have additional needs so life at home can be very tiring and demanding but also so very rewarding. Since joining KAYAKS and making new friendships in similar circumstances in a safe environment that welcomes the whole family our life has improved. We all adapt a can do attitude.
Jill Osborne
Trustee and Treasurer, I have been a member of KAYAKS for over 12 years. I am a stay-at-home mum; I gave up my career in nursing when my youngest child was small. Both my husband and daughters have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition. I am Chair of Governors for a local special needs school and have a wide knowledge of disability and additional needs. KAYAKS has become a full-time job for me, as well as Treasurer, I am the training and safe-guarding co-ordinator and am heavily involved in fund-raising and the day to day running of the group. I have achieved level 1BSL qualification. I have also gained an ITC certificate qualification in emergency indoor and outdoor first aid level 6.
Malcolm R Osborne
Trustee and Chair (until Spring 2022) of KAYAKS. I am a father of 5 and Granddad to 7 grandchildren and one Great-Grand daughter. Professionally a Retired Registered Nurse serving the NHS for 30 years, served in the Army medical services for 21 years retiring with the rank of Major. Not too shabby for a 17 year old from Tynemouth, who left home to join the Royal Navy and who at the age of 52yrs old was diagnosed as Autistic.
In addition to being the previous chair of Kayaks: I serve the community in the following capacities.
I am a director of “Spectrum Enterprises C.I.C.” helping autistic adults to access employment. Research collaborator in studies involving autism with Newcastle University since 2016. Director of “Shout 360” counselling services. I head the K.O.P.E (Kayaks Outreach Project Enterprise) at The Hub, helping parents/carers “navigate the maze” that is the SEN system, and will lead in establishing our autistic adults’ social group. Board member for the “Regional Stakeholder Network-North East”, fighting the corner for disability. Member of Autistica’s Insight group, as an “Expert by Experience”. Awaiting confirmation of selection process to sit on SEN Tribunal cases and Co- delivering ASD training for H.E.E. NHS Mental health staff.
Richard Johns
Three of my children have additional needs. I am a qualified youth worker who has done outreach and detached. I have run a youth club on a voluntary basis, and I am keen to use my skills in KAYAKS.
KAYAKS for me is a place where children and young people can relax and have fun whilst learning. I have done my level 2 mental health whilst being a volunteer. I have also gained an ITC certificate and a qualification in emergency indoor and outdoor first aid level 6.
DIANE URUA. I meet and greet new families attending KAYAKS for the first time to also show them around. I also work closely with the children while at KAYAKS each week, often playing games with the children to help settle them into our group and chatting to parents/carers to also put them at ease, while giving out advice from personal experience. I help with all other duties such as setting up and putting away and help with events when needed and also help with our social events at KOPE and attend regular training sessions. I am a mother of four children my youngest is 19 years old, he has a connective tissue disorder called Marfans Syndrome. He has many of the health-related problems related to Marfans such as heart, height, eyes and hyper mobility. This is the reason we started to attend KAYAKS as members, so my son had somewhere he was safe and able to be himself without judgement. We have gained so much as members from the group and enjoyed every aspect that the natural way forward was to give back what we have gained by joining the committee to help others. We see KAYAKS as an extended part of our family and have never looked back.
Martin Fisher. I am a grandfather of four girls one of which has additional needs which can be very demanding for my daughter on a daily basis. It is always a pleasure to be able to be of help or assist others as a KAYAKS member. Since joining kayaks about 6 years ago it has been rewarding to be part of the KAYAKS team and getting involved with the children and their families knowing that they find me approachable and helpful in all the activities that they do with me knowing that they are in a safe environment with others who have similar needs. KAYAKS is a very interesting group and offers different kinds of support on so many levels, and the families are very friendly. I like to build a rapport with the children to help them achieve their goals. I am qualified to support members on the climbing wall. If this was employment, I would definitely say it was job satisfaction. I have also gained an ITC certificate qualification in emergency indoor and outdoor first aid level 6.
Anne Yorston. Fundraiser. I have 3 children, all are diagnosed with Autism. Our family has recently grown as my eldest son is building his own family and now has 3 children. His partner has a spectrum diagnosis, and their daughter is currently undergoing a diagnosis. Along our journey we stumbled across KAYAKS who have not only supported our family but also offered a wealth of opportunities to us all. When the opportunity arose to pay back a small percentage of what we had gained I chose to join the committee and to volunteer each week in Kayak. I also work full time within the NHS Business Services Authority. Part of my role is working and leading in areas such as Equality and Diversity, Health and Wellbeing, Mental health first aid and Volunteering.
I look forward to working closely with both the KAYAKS team and the families moving forward. I have also gained an ITC certificate qualification in emergency indoor and outdoor first aid level 6.
Lauren Osborne, I am able to help others through my lived experience of being an autistic person. I help at the Saturday session and you’ll find me at KOPE for all the different workshops on offer. I am an illustrator and author, I help to deliver the Mayors Award and the Duke of Edinburgh by teaching painting and illustrating techniques.
Karen Nichol. My main role in the committee is running arts and crafts sessions on a Saturday afternoon. I have two sons aged 30 and 13 and a 4 yr old grandson, y 13 yr old has ASD, Dyspraxia and hypermobility. We have been members of kayaks for about 7-8 years now and we love our big kayak family.
Susan Burgess. I have been attending KAYAKS with my family for the last five years, following my eldest son’s Autism diagnosis. We have enjoyed many fantastic opportunities provided from The KAYAKS in this time such as amazing outdoor residential trips, fun days out to lots of exciting places, great weekly social activity sessions, the most expert advice when needed and lots more. The non-judgemental, friendly and supportive ethos of The KAYAKS makes all of these times an absolute pleasure to be part of. Every membe is thoroughly valued and supported.
I have also been involved in fundraising for The KAYAKS too: taking part in the The Great North Run, Kielder, Rotterdam and London matharons plus many more races sometimes with my children to help support the fabulous work that is already in place. I have joined the committee as I want to help other famliies in the exact same way my family has been supported. Being a Special Needs Teacher/leader for the past twelve years, I have a lot of knowledge that will support children, young people and their families if they need help from an educational perspective. I am passionate that everyone can achieve their potential, have fantastic opportunities and get the right support, regardless of the barriers that are in the way.
Donna Wallace I have two children, the youngest has ADHD and I have three grandchildren. I have worked with children since I was 18 years old. I have my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and I look forward to helping the young people achieve their Duke of Edinburgh Award and see them grow.
Louise Carruthers-Henderson, I am a qualified BACP Integrated Counsellor and I work therapeutically with children, young people and adults individually and in groups. I have 2 children; my eldest is diagnosed Autistic and educated at home. My youngest attends a main stream school and is diagnosed with Autism. I, myself have recently been diagnosed as Autistic at the age of 42!
I first came to KAYAKS seeking support whilst my son was still going through the diagnostic process. We were finding securing support to meet his needs in school very challenging and we were supported by Malcolm through KOPE Outreach service. We secured an Education Health and Care Plan for my son along with accessing Counselling at Creative Minds. Both of my children attend KAYAKS and engage in activities and more recently the residential stay at Grinton Lodge.
I am now part of the KOPE Outreach Service to support Parents and Carers to secure support for their children and young people in educational settings, during the Educational Health and Care Plan process, complaints and tribunal process. We provide a safe space for Parents, Carers and adults to seek support via 1-2-1 appointments, group drop-ins and are planning to introduce remote support groups in the future.