Meet Us
The National Executive Committee is composed of members elected to manage the business and affairs of the Association – the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer, the Membership Co-ordinator, a representative from each of the six regions and three parent representatives who ensure that the voice of families using Portage is heard. Elected from Portage Services across the country, members of the Executive bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the work of the Association.
Four national sub-committees are appointed to oversee and develop particular areas of interest with each committee being chaired by a member of the Executive.
The Equal Opportunities sub-committee is responsible for ensuring that the Association maintains a commitment to achieving equality in all areas of our work. It collates information from across the U.K. and advises Portage services and individual members on equality issues. The Association challenges all forms of discrimination and prejudice.
The Ethics sub-committee offers guidance on ethical matters relating to the use of Portage teaching methods.
The Information and Publicity sub-committee maintains an up to date list of published materials on Portage and supports individual members and services in their social, fund raising and publicity events.
The Training and Monitoring sub-committee monitors standards, develops and supervises the delivery of the Portage Curriculum for Professional Development and maintains a register of Accredited Trainers.
Board Members
There are 5 board meetings a year. Typically these are the last Friday of January, March, June, September and November. Meetings are a formal affair with agendas and minutes. These can be obtained from the portage office on request.
Gary Walker – Chair
I was asked to be a Parent Representative after my daughter Megan had received Portage. The fantastic emotional and practical support offered by our portage worker along with the inspirational experience of attending the NPA conference meant that there was no hesitation in saying ‘yes’.
I was nominated and elected as Chair to the NPA at the 2010 AGM (at conference) and am thrilled to be taking on the post at this time.
I see the role as a way ‘to give something back’ to the service and ensure that parents voices are heard and their needs considered when developing and implementing national policy and initiatives.
David Strawson – Vice Chair
My son Scott was born in 2003 with Cerebral Palsy. I received Portage for Scott very early on. I had very challenging personal circumstances after my wife left, when Scott was only 1.
Sessions were fantastic and gave us every support possible. Given that I had to juggle care for Scott, work and everything else, the care and support Scott I received is something I’ll always cherish.
My Portage home visitor was Chris Walker, who became the Chair of the NPA!. As is normally the case with parents and portage visitors, Chris and I became firm friends, and in June 2007, when Chris asked me if I’d be interested in being a Parent Representative I jumped at the chance. Things have moved on since then, and I was elected in 2010 to the post of Vice Chair. I guess for me, Portage really helped Scott and I along our journey, and I really want to help guide Portage through hers.
Given my 20 year plus IT background, I’ve also taken on the challenge of bringing the NPA’s website up-to-date. And this is the result!
Sue Goodhead – Treasurer
Hello, I’m Sue Goodhead and I became the NPA Treasurer only a few months ago, in October 2009.
I retired from my job as City of York’s specialist senior educational psychologist (early years and Portage) in August 2007. It brought me into close contact with Portage workers and families, and had a strong positive influence on my educational psychology practice.
Shortly after my retirement, I was delighted when NPA asked me to do some consultancy work; firstly identifying an awarding body to accredit the Portage Basic Workshop, and then researching key working within Portage services. I enjoyed my contacts with Portage people across the country and with Board members so much that, when the consultancy work finished, I volunteered to join the Board and am now enjoying the next stage in my life-long learning journey!
Janet Rickman – Membership Co-Ordinatoer
Hi, I’m Janet Rickman and I was co-opted as membership secretary at the last conference and am still learning the ropes! I completed the Portage workshop in 1978 and used its principals in a variety of early years settings in inner London boroughs. I become a full time Portage Worker in Croydon on 1996 and went on to co-ordinate the team. I moved to the Bromley service four years, again as co-ordinator, and am still as passionate about Portage as I was when I first started!
Veronica Boys – Chair of Equal Opportunities
Hello. I my name is Veronica. I’m the Equal Opportunities Chair. I’ve been practicing Portage for over 20 years’ so it is now a way of life! I also give some training, and I am a senior accredited trainer. We have some difficult times ahead, and I am thrilled to be working with the current board and am confident that we will rise to the challenge.
Pauline Harris – Chair of Ethics
My name is Pauline Harris. I first became involved in Portage 30 years ago as a new exciting way to work with parents. I am a senior accredited trainer, and for the last 3 years I have been the Chair of Ethics, and am still very much enjoying the wonderful world of Portage.
Jo Byers – Chair of Publicity and Information
My involvement with Portage began over 12 years ago (1996) when my daughter was born with Down syndrome. The support we received during my daughter’s early years from our Portage Home Visitor inspired me to want to have further involvement with Portage.
I successfully completed the Portage basic workshop in 1998 and I now work as a Portage Home visitor and have been a and have been a board member since 2006.
Audrey Cooper – Training and Quality Support Committee Representative
Hi. My name is Audrey and I am a member of the NPA. I have been aware of the Portage and its very positive approaches to working with families since 1996. I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer with the services in Blackpool and Lancashire for a few years before applying for and becoming Senior Portage Worker in Blackpool Portage Service.
Over the last 6 years I have become an accredited trainer, attended NPA forums and conferences and most recently have volunteered to sit on the training and monitoring working group and have been successful in applying to become a trainer on the Trainer for trainers team, the ASD PCPD team and the behaviour PCPD team.
Shahenaz Shaikh – Northern Regional Representative
Hi I’m Shahenaz, I’ve been working with The Kirklees Portage Service since the summer of 1998. Initially I joined as a Bilingual Portage Home visitor. I was fortunate enough to get the post of Senior Portage Home visitor in 2001.
My role as a representative on the board involves acting as a contact person for the Northern region and presenting any queries or views of our members to the board.
Chris Rodgers – Parent Representative
Hello. My name is Chris and I been married to my wife Jane for 20 years. We have two sons, George (13) and James (12), and daughter Lydia who is 4 and is Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. After one year of receiving portage we all attended our first NPA conference. Two years later I attended my second conference and offered my help through the parent forum. Not knowing what to expect of my services, I am now privileged to have been given the opportunity to be a Parent Representative of the NPA.
Through this role, I want to give comfort to parents in their hour of need so they do not experience the trauma we went through when our daughter was born, and to promote portage where I can to parents and professionals alike who are not aware of Portage, its Principles, and the Service it provides.
Vacancy – Eastern Regional Representative
We currently have a vacancy for our Midland regional representative. If you are interested in taking up this post, please contact chair@portage.org.uk
Tracy Harvey – London and South East Regional Representative
Hello there. I am Regional Representative for London and the South East.
Elizabeth Marwood – North East Regional Representative
Hello. My name is Elizabeth Marwood and I have been Leading Portage Teacher in Sunderland where we have a multi agency Portage Worker system since 2003.
I took over the role of Regional Representative for the North Eastern Region in September 2007 and have really enjoyed working closely with colleagues from other Local Authorities.
Sharon Ensor – South West and Wales Regional Representative
Greetings! I’m Sharon Ensor. I am the regional Representative for the South West and Wales. I was employed as a portage visitor in Portsmouth in 1998 and became the manager in 2003.
Vacancy - Midland Regional Representative
We currently have a vacancy for our Midland regional representative. If you are interested in taking up this post, please contact chair@portage.org.uk
Bonny Robinson – Conference Co-ordinator
Whilst not a board member, I’ve been Conference Co-ordinator since 2002 and work with a team of fantastic volunteers who each work from year to year on a specific area of the conference programme. The role of co-ordinator is an exciting and continually developing experience and I welcome ideas on how we can ensure Conference continues to be informative and enjoyable to all.