Meet our staff

Oliver Smith

Service Quality Director

Oliver works closely with people supported, staff and The Camden Society board to ensure we achieve Thera’s vision and help people make their own choices. Oliver uses his own experience of having a learning disability to make sure The Camden Society provides quality care and support.

Jaiwanda Patel

Executive Assistant

Jay originally studied fashion and design at the then Leicester Polytechnic and went onto set up her own clothing company in Leicester for 16 years. Following a career assessment, she went into youth and community work and has over 20 years' experience in empowering and providing opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to develop and enhance their lives.

Ben Lanes

Managing Director

I have worked with people with a Learning Disability for over 25 years. I am passionate about delivering great support, and I am very proud to have led teams that have been rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in my previous role.

Aimee Mitchell

Personal Assistant

Aimee first joined Thera as a Training Assistant in September 2006 and has worked in a variety of positions since then. Aimee has been a Personal Assistant since 2014 for the Thera Group and has been the Personal Assistant for The Camden Society since 2019.

Louise Woodward

Operational Manager

Louise began her career with people with a learning disability as a support worker in 1999, and joined Thera as a team leader in 2010. She enjoys working within The Camden Society and is passionate about having a positive impact on the lives of the people we support.

Samantha Cleary

Operational Manager

Sam has been working with people with learning a disability for over ten years. She is passionate about providing the best quality support possible, and developing people’s skills and confidence with communication and positive behaviour support.

Louisa Hardy

Operational Manager

Louisa joined the health and social care sector supporting adults with a learning disability in 1999.
She began her career as a support worker and today is proud to be working as Operational Manager for The Camden Society. Louisa advocates effective communication and transparency within her teams, and believes this is the key in offering consistent, high-quality provision to the people we support.