Meet our staff

Sarah Cast

Managing Director

Sarah has worked with voluntary organisations supporting people with a learning disability for over 20 years. She started as a Support Worker having completed a degree in psychology and has carried out a variety of management roles in self advocacy, employment services, care information systems and service development.

Sarah’s role is to lead Thera East and ensure it provides high quality support for people with a learning disability in line with the vision and best practice.

Graham Skidmore

Service Quality Director

Graham has been a Service Quality Director since 2007. He works alongside the Managing Director to run the company with the Thera East board. Graham and his Executive Assistant, Bridie, visit people supported by Thera East to make sure they are happy with their support and share helpful information with them.

Julie Small

Executive Assistant

Julie has worked with Thera since January 2021, She started working as Executive Assistant to the Service Quality Director for The Camden Society (London) and joined Thera East to continue in this role with Graham The Service Quality Director in November 2023. Julie has worked in many different areas previously, including easyJet airline, specialist schools and academies trusts, and as a HR Manager for a care company in Essex. Julie has always believed that it is important to put people first and to encourage and empower people to be the best they can be.

Alison Knight

Personal Assistant

Alison has been working as PA to the Managing Director of Thera East for over 16 years. Previous to this she worked in administration and then HR. Alison is very happy in her work and particularly enjoys organising Thera East's annual celebration event!

Richard Crowson

Operational Manager

Richard has over 20 years’ experience of working with people who have a learning disability, both in residential care and a supported living environment. He looks forward to working with the people we support and their families, as well as the staff at Thera East. He provides knowledge and direction to the staff teams, that will enhance the lives of people supported.

Cara Holmes

Senior Operational Manager

Cara has worked in Health and Social Care for 14 years and has been in management roles for 11 years. Cara has a range of experience supporting people and is passionate about her work, staff and the people supported. Cara strives for progress, working together for the best outcome for all.

Rebecca Axford

Operational Manager

Rebecca has had the privilege of working in social care for the past 22 years and is excited to share her knowledge and skills with the teams. Rebecca is looking forward to being part of the development of the people supported and seeing positive outcomes for living their best lives! Rebecca is passionate about individuals having access to and being part of all aspects in society and is driven to help them achieve this. Rebecca is very much looking forward to working with Thera to ensure their vision and values are met in the best interest of the people supported.

Rachael Robertson

Operational Manager

Rachael has worked in social care for over 20 years and is passionate about promoting personalised support and encouraging people to achieve their own goals and aims. Rachael is looking forward to supporting the team and company to achieve the best support for all.

Jayne Sutherland

Interim Operational Manager

Jayne has worked in social care for over twenty five years and for twenty of those years in a managerial position. This has been in a variety of settings from children to adults, learning disabilities, mental health, homelessness and challenging behaviours.

Jayne is passionate in advocating for the people we support to achieve their personal goals and best outcomes and empowering the staff teams to help them achieve this. Jayne is looking forwarding to sharing her experience and knowledge with others as well as learning from everyone that is part of Thera to achieve an outstanding outcome.