Meet Our Staff

Meet the senior management team for our Central region.

Ben Lanes

Managing Director

Ben is an experienced social care leader, passionate about person-centred support and developing great teams. He is committed to ensuring people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs remain at the heart of every decision and have the opportunity to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Ben McCay

Service Quality Director

Ben McCay is the Service Quality Director for Thera Trust Central Region. He has extensive experience in advocacy and supporting people with a learning disability. He was co-chair of the trustees for an advocacy organisation for six years prior to joining Thera Trust. He is passionate about ensuring the support we provide is as good as it can be, and in growing the profile of Thera Trust and our approach to support across the Oxfordshire area.

Aimee Mitchell

Personal Assistant

Aimee began her career with Thera in September 2006 as a Training Assistant and has gained a wealth of experience through a range of roles across the organisation. Since becoming a Personal Assistant in 2014, she has provided dedicated support to senior leaders across Thera and, since 2019, has served as Personal Assistant to the Managing Director of The Camden Society. Aimee is passionate about supporting colleagues and helping the organisation deliver high-quality 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.

Louise Woodward

Operational Manager

Louise has over 25 years of experience working alongside people with learning disabilities and is passionate about helping individuals achieve their goals and live the lives they choose. She joined Thera in 2010 and progressed to the role of Operational Manager in 2019. Louise takes pride in supporting and developing teams to deliver outstanding, person-centred support, empowering people to live fulfilling, rewarding, and independent lives.

Samantha Cleary

Operational Manager

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

Chelsea Davies

Acting Operational Manager

Chelsea joined the organisation in 2013 as a Support Worker and has worked her way up to her current role. Chelsea is passionate about empowering people to have choice, control, and independence in their own lives. Chelsea enjoys helping people achieve their dreams and aspirations, and believes in providing person-centred support that is shaped around each individual’s needs, wishes, and goals.
Chelsea is proud of her journey within the organisation and remains committed to making a positive difference to the people we support.