Rated Outstanding 2022
Registered Charity 1033539
Our lovely committee is made up from a variety of people from different backgrounds. Here's a little bit of information about them.
All committee members sign up to a trustees code of conduct and we have a conflict of interest policy in place. At the beginning of each committee meeting trustees are asked if they have any conflicts of interest regarding the agenda and any changes within their circumstances.
Carol Nice MBE
Hello my name is Carol and I am Chair of the committee. I am the founder of Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group and I have over 30 years of knowledge and experience in early years education.
Paulina Rangel
Hello - my name is Paulina, I'm from Venezuela. I have raised my family here in U.K. Before being a mum I used to work in Media, now I am committed to supporting Stepping Stones with volunteering at the nursery and supporting the charity as a committee member.
Sean Plummer
Hello - my name is Sean. I am the Treasurer of the committee and have been involved with Stepping Stones since my son who has additional needs attended Tots group. I'm CIPFA qualified. That's chartered institute of public finance and accountancy.
Katy Cobb
Hello - my name is Katy, and I joined the committee in 2021 when my son started attending the nursery.
The wonderful team at Stepping Stones have been such a great support to my son who is autistic, as well as myself, so I am keen to support the nursery as a committee member and through fundraising as much as I can
Jo King
Hello - my name is Jo and I am the Secretary of the committee. . I have been a trustee for over 10 years and have been part of the committee ever since my son who has additional needs attended Tots group.
Paul Handley
Hello - my name is Paul and I have been a trustee for 8 years and served as Chair for 5 years. Both of my children attended the nursery and I’m keen to help this wonderful group continue to offer services to children and their families.
Sue Townsend
Hello - my name is Sue I am the Nursery Coordinator and I have been a trustee for 11 years. Three of my children attended Stepping Stones, my eldest son has Down Syndrome.
Donna McWilliams MBE
Hello - my name is Donna I am the Deputy Coordinator. I started the group alongside Carol and have been a trustee for 8 years. Two of my children attended when we first opened in February 1991.
Jade Stephens
Hello - my name is Jade I have been working at Stepping Stones since 2009 and have been a trustee for 7 years. Being on the committee has given me a better insight into the support needed to keep the group thriving.
Liz Taverner
Hello - my name is Liz. I have worked at Stepping Stones since 2002 and have been a trustee for many years. I have been married to Nigel for 39 years and have two daughters Rebecca now 27 and Melissa 25. Melissa has autism and learning difficulties and came to Stepping Stones as a toddler. I am the Senior Administrator here at Stepping Stones and have a background of administration and marketing.
Dr. Nicola Don
Hello - my name is Nicola I joined the committee in 2020. I have a good repertoire of knowledge in the Nursing and Caring profession. Initially I worked in my family’s care homes which specialise in learning disabilities with severe challenging behaviour. I then trained and worked as a General Nurse at our local hospital. Wishing to challenge myself further, and to make a dream come true, I returned to university. Here I obtained a BSc in Biomedical Science and ultimately achieved my PhD in Molecular Biophysics, specialising in cancer research. I am currently on a career break to look after my little boy, William. My hobbies include watercolour painting, sewing and reading whodunnits.
John Hales
John is a self-employed cabinet maker and carpenter. He learnt his trade from his father Michael and has worked in the building and associated trades all his life. John was born in Ipswich and lived there until 2010. He then moved to Colchester after meeting his wife, Carla who is a musician. He started his own business in 2013 and this became his full-time occupation in the summer of 2020. In November 2020 John business, JMH design became one of Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday winners. John helped out at Stepping Stones when they put out an appeal asking for someone to do some repairs whilst coming out of lock down. After meeting the team John knew this was something he wanted to be involved with and was delighted
to be asked to join the committee. In his spare time John enjoys speedway, all things Italian and has enjoyed taking part in various wine tasting events and courses, including one in Lake Garda.
Julie Mayle - My son George (who is now 24) attended Stepping Stones nursery, after school club and school holiday clubs all through his childhood. He was a tricky little boy, autistic, severe learning disability and epilepsy. Always trying to run off or escape. I never thought we would be at the stage we are at today.
George was “affectionately” known as the boy who projectile vomited over everyone as he was so anxious about being left. But the staff worked with him with patience and a lot of care and kindness until he loved being there.
Always supported us as a family, especially when times were tough and we didn’t know which way to turn. It was always good to know that there was help and someone would help fight George’s corner. George has turned into a lovely young man, still tricky sometimes. we will always be grateful for the help given to us by Stepping Stones so I am happy to join the committee and help if I can.
© 2017 Stepping Stones Play and Learn. Registered Charity 1033539.
Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group,
Wilson Marriage Centre,
Barrack St, Colchester CO1 2LR
01206 860467
