Chair of the Board of Trustees

Lead for Governance and Finance

Paul Hodgkinson

Quote from Paul:

“I have spent the whole of my career in special education and have seen the value that high quality provision has on lives. I worry that there are gaps in local provision but feel that Sapphire helps to fill a gap. This is hugely important for the young adults who attend the organisation.  On my visits I have already observed that Sapphire is a fantastic new resource which is led and delivered by a team of Special Needs experts. Sapphire has a very specific core purpose which is need in Bolton. The ‘offer’ is extremely important for the young adults who attend and there is evidence that it impacts on their lives.” 

Biography:

Paul was born, raised, educated and has worked in Bolton all his life. He is very interested in the community and services that are available for Bolton residents.

Paul has 16 years leadership experience in Special Education and is involved in several National SEN Policy Networks. He is passionate about Governance and recognises the value of strong leadership.

He started his career working at Youth Challenge Pupil Referral Unit in Bolton and held numerous positions there. He started as a volunteer Mentor before becoming a class teacher and eventually the Head Teacher in 2003.Under his leadership, Youth Challenge was twice judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted.

In 2010 he successfully achieved the position as Manager of the Bolton Pupil Referral Service and supervised the federation of all the PRUs across Bolton.

Four years later, in 2014 he also became the Interim Executive Headteacher of Lever Park School when the school was placed into special measures.

He worked with the staff team on a Rapid Improvement Plan which eventually resulted in the school moving out of special measures in 2016. This resulted in Paul taking up the position of the Executive Principal of the Bolton Impact Trust. This is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT), which comprises the Alternative Provision (AP) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) offer across Bolton.

Paul has advised the Department for Education, various Local Authorities and schools locally, regionally and nationally on leadership, Behaviour Management strategies, Alternative Provision and Governance. He has spoken at Conferences and has recently been asked to Co-chair the SEND & AP Council on behalf of the Foundation for Education Development (FED).

In his role as Chair, Paul has a vast amount of experience that he feels can support the development of Sapphire. In particular his knowledge of Governance is extensive, and he is committed to ensuring that the accountability, transparency, leadership and quality are achieved to the highest standard.

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

Lead for Safeguarding

Lynda Williams

Quote from Lynda:

” Sapphire offers a wide range of opportunities within a warm and welcoming environment supported by committed experienced and empathic staff. It is evident that the young adults who attend the provision, enjoy the experience of being part of the Sapphire Family. Sapphire offers a balanced programme of activities and experiences for those attending working towards being as independent as possible”

Biography

Lynda has worked with this client group in both informal and formal settings over the last 35 years developing and delivering creative programmes and experiences for those taking part.  She has a passion for supporting young adults with additional needs and disabilities and is committed for the individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Lynda’s experience leads her to believe that Sapphire is a much-needed provision in Bolton, where this client group can meet others, develop meaningful relationships, learn new skills and be part of a positive experience.

She started her career as a youth worker using her skills in creative arts as a medium to engage with young people.

She has spent a significant amount of time working in Bolton, initially as an FE Lecturer at Bolton College and other educational establishments, which required planning, design and delivery of sessions for young people with disabilities. She then gained employment within Bolton Council Children’s Services Department, where she worked as a locality-based community development in City Challenge. This was an externally funded, long term project, based in Halliwell. She held responsibility for developing a programme that was designed to support vulnerable young people. This role also required her to manage projects, buildings and staff teams.

Lynda then moved into a more senior management role in Connexions Service where she continued to develop the community-based settings under the wider remit of the offer to engage with the NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people, who fell into the vulnerable groups.

This role offered an opportunity to build up her portfolio and she gained further experience in developing and managing a specific area of work that contributed to a NEET reduction Strategy for Bolton.

In 2011 Lynda finished in the council when the Local authority was tasked with making significant cuts to the services they offered. She took this opportunity to set up a not-for-profit organisation for young adults with disabilities and has been doing this for the last 11 years. Change management has become a major skill during this time and the range of other skills she has developed over the years have enabled her to implement a vision that continues to engage with the most vulnerable.

During her time with the not-for-profit organisation, she has worked on planning, delivery, finance, networking with professionals, bid writing, fund raising and the effective participation and consultation with young adults.

Social Media Lead

Charlotte Woodcock

Quote from Charlotte:

“I have never come across an organisation who provide such incredible opportunities for young adults with additional needs and disabilities like Sapphire. I believe that Sapphire makes the lives of the young adults who attend, better and more exciting as well as working on their independence by supporting them to develop the skills they need in their everyday lives. The staff who work for the organisation make a difference and the organisation has the potential to have a positive impact on others who make the decision to attend.”

Biography:

Charlotte has worked with young adults, including young adults with additional needs and disabilities, for over 10 years in the performing arts industry. She has used her love, passion, creativity and expertise in this field to support young people to express themselves using a medium that can push them out of their comfort zones whilst having fun.

As a young trustee at 29, she brings her knowledge and skills to support the development of the social media aspect of the organisation to make sure we adhere to online safety measures to ensure the safety of this vulnerable group. She feels she can offer a view from the perspective of the young adults who attend Sapphire as she is in the similar age range as them.

Her skills include music, dance and drama. She is keen to provide additionality to the programme by volunteering her time to use these skills with the young adults. Her many contacts in this industry could also contribute to the opportunities Sapphire delivers.

Charlotte is new to the role of a trustee but has experience of business development and wants to support the sustainability and integrity of the organisation.