Meet Our Staff

Estelle began her career as a care assistant in a learning disability hospital. She later trained as a Registered Nurse specialising in supporting adults with learning disabilities and has dedicated her career to ensuring people can lead full, independent and meaningful lives.

Over the past three decades, Estelle has worked across a wide range of services, including residential care, supported living, day opportunities and employment services, giving her extensive experience of person-centred support in a variety of settings.

Alongside her professional career, Estelle completed an MBA at Henley Business School, balancing full-time employment with her studies before graduating.

Estelle joined Thera as Managing Director of the South West region because she was inspired by the organisation's commitment to ensuring people with a learning disability have the same opportunities, rights and quality of life as everyone else. She is passionate about working alongside people with learning disabilities, colleagues and partners to bring Thera's vision and mission to life by delivering high-quality, person-centred support that enables people to live the lives they choose, exercise choice and control, and be active, valued members of their communities.

Sammy previously worked in a day centre from 2012 until 2020 for people with a learning disability and was also a safe places champion. In 2020, Sammy started working as an advocate for people with a learning disability and autism. This is especially important to her as she herself is a person of lived experience with having a learning disability and autism. Sammy was first supported by home group and then they then asked her to volunteer for them to do customer promise assessments.

She enjoys dancing and attends dance groups when she can, loves art and making new friends. Sammy started working for the South West region in February 2024 as our Service Quality Director. She’s especially enjoying visiting the people supported and as a part of the South West region’s management team, she can make a direct impact and give lived experience point of view to help make a difference.

Nina has worked in the Health and Social care sector for over 30 years, including the past 25 years with Thera. During her time with the South West region and Thera Trust, she has undertaken a variety of roles, building extensive experience as a Support Worker, Line Manager, and Project Manager. These opportunities have enabled her to develop a broad range of skills and a deep understanding of person-centred support. In her current role as Operational Manager, Nina oversees services across Devon.

In 2010, Nina played a key role in supporting people to move from residential care into supported living. This life-changing project enabled more than 20 people with learning disabilities to gain greater choice and control over where they lived and who they lived with, promoting independence and improving quality of life.

Nina is passionate about ensuring that people with learning disabilities are valued members of their communities and are empowered to make decisions about their own lives. Equally, she is committed to creating a positive working environment for colleagues, ensuring that staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.

Since graduating with a BSc in Psychology, Charlotte has built over 14 years of experience in the health and social care sector, working across a range of organisations supporting people with mental health needs, substance misuse challenges, and learning disabilities. Alongside her professional career, she volunteered as a listening volunteer with Samaritans, reflecting her commitment to supporting people through life's challenges.

Charlotte joined Thera in 2018 as a Supported Living Manager and completed her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in 2020. Now Operational Manager for Wiltshire & Dorset, she is passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred support that empowers people to live the life they choose.