A Midlands-based charity providing therapeutic support for
children and young people who have suffered any form of trauma
Board of Trustees
Cllr. David Mackintosh Chair of the Board of Trustees
David was educated at Roade School and then went on to read politics at the University of Durham, where he gained a BA Honours degree. David is Leader of Northampton Borough Council. He is also a County Councillor on Northamptonshire County Council.
He lives in Northampton and enjoys travelling, films and theatre in his spare time.
“As Chair, I am very lucky to be supported by a first-class Board of Trustees and a team of therapists who really care about improving the lives of children and families across the county."
Charlotte Marten MA Treasurer and Trustee
Having worked with young people in a variety of different contexts for the last three decades, in her professional life Charlotte is the headteacher of a girls’ grammar school in Warwickshire, which is her second headship.
Charlotte has always had an interest in supporting young people in the world beyond the school gate. While in her twenties, she was involved in running hostels for homeless young people in London and more recently continued this work in Jersey eventually becoming Chairman of the Jersey Association for Youth and Friendship.
“Increasingly aware of the need for the kind of service that KidsAid offers, I am delighted to be serving as a trustee”.
Sonia Bolland
Trustee
Sonia has worked with children and young people for the past 30 years. She is a qualified social worker and, after many years working in child protection, changed course and began working for a national children`s charity specialising in fostering.
She has a great interest in, and passionate dedication to, improving the lives of traumatised children and young people.
“Having now retired from social work I am delighted to be able to help KidsAid in any way I can to increase and improve the service offered to children and young people”
Ellen Burgess Trustee
Schooled in Highams Park, London, at Sidney Burnell, Ellen’s working life began with various stockbroker companies in the City, followed by “my hippie days” at a typesetting company called ‘Darling Darling’.
Ellen moved to Kettering 25 years ago and began working for Social Services as a volunteer, running a group for children with emotional problems. She later became a foster parent, which led to the involvement with play therapy.
Now employed as a Family Worker at the Pen Green Family Centre, working with children and their parents.
Ellen enjoys cooking, photography and lace making in her free time, and, along with a friend, cooks for the Pen Green conference.
“What we do enables children to have a voice again.”
Caroline McGonnell Trustee
Originally from the Channel Islands, Caroline served for 3 years in HM Forces before returning to Guernsey and taking a post as Residential Child Care Officer at a children’s centre.
Fulfilling the desire to become a Social Worker, she moved to the UK mainland and qualified in Bristol, remaining at university to gain a Degree in Health and Social Welfare. Since 1997 Caroline has held various posts for UK local authorities, primarily in child protection. In 2006 she was appointed Family Court Advisor and is currently employed by CAFCASS.
“I am delighted to be appointed a trustee, and I know first-hand of the absolute necessity for this type of resource being made available to children in Northamptonshire.”
Joy Pinkham Trustee
A family law barrister, practising from Chartlands Chambers in Northampton for the past 15 years, Joy is a member of Gray’s Inn and the Family Law Bar Association.
Joy is married, with a son and daughter who both work in the media, and a daughter-in-law who is a qualified child trauma therapist.
“Through my work I have become aware of the huge difference that access to play or creative therapy can make to the lives of vulnerable, traumatised or distressed children who find themselves drawn into the court process through none of their own making.”
Just to add a little more stress to life, Joy is a lifelong and passionate Northampton Saints season ticket holder!
Maria Verroca-Stevens
Trustee
Maria is an experienced marketing and communications consultant who provides advice to a range of charities and non-profit organizations. Maria spent 17 years with The Children’s Society where she was responsible for PR, media relations, re-branding and national campaigns. An experienced photographer, Maria also speaks several languages and is an accomplished cook and enjoys baking cakes.
"It was such an honour to be asked to join the KidsAid Board of Trustees, knowing that I could share my experience of working in the charity sector with such an innovative and progressive organization."
