Our Trustees

Ruth Jenkins

I am a parent trustee and a past Chair of the charity. I became a trustee in 2003 and in the past I have been a branch officer of the Suffolk branch of the National Autistic Society. I am a qualified solicitor so whenever necessary I am able to utilise my legal skills and business experience in my role as trustee.

My eighteen year old son Timothy is severely autistic and has been a boarder at an out of county school for the last seven years. As a parent of a disabled child, I use that experience to inform the decisions that are made regarding Out & About’s service delivery.

I am deeply committed to the concept of inclusion and of enabling disabled youngsters to enjoy a wide range of activities and interests, tailored to their individual needs. As a parent I value the flexibility and “can do” ethos that Out & About exemplifies. It is exciting and satisfying to play a role in such a vibrant and innovative organisation.

Pat Leach

I have been involved with Out & About for many years. I worked for the charity as what was previously known as a fieldworker (now an Inclusion Co-ordinator) in the 1990's. I was the only full time employee at that time in what was then a very small organisation. My background had been working in the civil service before I had children and I became passionate about children's rights while doing a psychology degree with the Open University. I then left Out & About to study to become a social worker.

I continue to work part time in the child care field, which I juggle with looking after my grandson two days a week. I became trustee for Out & About more years ago than I care to remember and I support the board with my knowledge of safeguarding and other child centred issues. In my precious spare time I enjoy playing golf and gardening.

Pete Horsfield

I am a parent trustee and father to autistic twins Samuel and Kate aged 12. Having run a home education program for the twins in their early years and dealt with their needs both within and outside the family setting, I have a good insight into the support autistic children need and how this is best delivered.

I am also a Business Development Director for Azzurri Communications. I bring an understanding of the working of complex organisations, business acumen, and sales and marketing knowledge to the Out & About team, along with technical knowledge when needed.

I became a trustee in December 2008, and enjoy the opportunity to both share my experience, and to better understand how a charitable organisation works.

Victor Goh

I am a parent trustee and father to Robert, aged 19, who is autistic with Aspergers Syndrome. Robert benefited from the services of Out & About before I joined as trustee. On seeing how the organisation has helped Robert integrate in universal activities I wanted to give something back. I fully support the principle of inclusion in enabling disabled young people to participate and enjoy the wide-ranging activities and interests meeting their individual special needs.

I have a diverse background that includes over 12 years in Human Resource management in both the public and private sector. It is a privilege to be associated with a proactive and forward thinking team in Out & About.

In my spare time I enjoy watching and playing tennis and country walking.

Mark Aldred

I sort of fell into being a trustee for Out & About by chance, having been the account manager for the charity at Kiss FM for many years. Having met Steve and the team I really felt that what the charity stood for and what they strived to achieve was hugely admirable. It also reminded me of the charity work I did as a youngster at school which was similar to what Out & About do. I knew there was something I could do to help.

I feel I have lots to offer as a Trustee by utilising my experience gained through the various media, press, radio and outdoor projects I have worked on during my years of employment.

I live in Ipswich and am a father to 4 boys and if you see me whizzing around Ipswich, do stop me to say hi!!

Chris Mellor

I have lived in Suffolk for the last thirty years and have worked in the IT industry for fourteen years. I have been the commercial director for Strident Software Development for five years and have been involved in the implementation of software and web system projects throughout East Anglia and the UK. Since undertaking a software project for Out & About and getting to understand what their mission was, I resolved to get involved in my own small way and support a local charity.

I hope to be able to use some of the knowledge I have gained in the IT sector to help Out & About with their system strategies. My interests include gardening and scuba diving/snorkelling.

Michael Wood

I am Chair of the Board of Trustees. I have two adult children who have matured through having the opportunity to be involved in their chosen activities. This is vital for all young people and is what attracted me to becoming a trustee of Out & About. We have a strong Board and wonderful dedicated colleagues within the charity who make a real difference to families as a whole. Our challenges and successes represent constantly changing storylines and make being a trustee so rewarding.