What we do
Assert is a United Kingdom based support group. We are all volunteers who have direct contact with Angelman Syndrome. The majority of the trustees are parents or relatives of children or adults with Angelman Syndrome. We also have a panel of experts who are able to answer and advise on more complex questions. Many of these experts are recognised worldwide in their fields of expertise relating to Angelman Syndrome.
Education – we aim to educate and raise awareness of Angelman Syndrome through a variety of means including this website. Raising awareness of Angelman Syndrome as many, including professionals, may never have heard of the condition. Providing information for families and carers who face the many varied challenges associated with Angelman Syndrome.
Research – We have been involved in a number of research projects looking at many aspects of the world of Angelman Syndrome. Our aim is particularly to support research which will have practical benefit to families and carers of AS individuals.
Back to topTrustees
Below is a list of the current trustees of Assert and what we do. You can email each trustee on an individual basis.
Jeremy Webb (Eastern region) is our Chairperson. He is a computer consultant, is married
to Claire and they have three children, Ruth (born 1997) who has AS, Hannah
and Silas.
jeremy.webb@angelmanuk.org
Lisa Court (Central region) is our treasurer. She’s married to Craig
and has three children, Ella (born 2002) who has AS, Jacob and Thomas.
lisa.court@angelmanuk.org
Rich Williams (South West & South Wales region) works for the National Trust and looks after Assert’s fundraising and merchandising. Rich is the divorced father of Holly (AS deletion positive), born 2002. He’s now married to Sue, with whom he has one child, Max. In his spare time, he also looks after Holly's website (www.angelic-anarchist.name). rich.williams@angelmanuk.org
Sue Williams (South West & South Wales region) is our secretary. She’s married to Rich, with whom she has one child, Max. Sue is also a part-time angel carer by choice to Holly (AS deletion positive), born 2002.
sue.williams@angelmanuk.org
Rachel Martin (North West England & North Wales region) is responsible for editing our newsletter as well as organising many regional meetings. She’s married to Chris and has four children, James (born 1996) who has AS, Jay, Alexandria and Madison.
rachel.martin@angelmanuk.org
Chris Martin (North West England & North Wales region) is married to Rachel and is the father of James (born 1996) who has AS.
chris.martin@angelmanuk.org
Christyan Fox (South East region) is responsible for the design of the
newsletter, merchandise & media. Christyan is married to Diane and they have three children, Harvey who has AS (born 1998), Lottie and Milo.
christyan.fox@angelmanuk.org
Russell Andrews (Central region) is responsible for sibling liaison.
He’s the brother of Melinda (mid 40s) who has AS, and has a special interest
in ensuring that we continue to support siblings of any age.
russell.andrews@angelmanuk.org
Neil Buchan (Scottish region) is responsible for fundraising and organises
regional meetings for our Scottish members. Neil is married to Linda
and they have four children, Kieran (born 1996) who has AS, Sammi, Rhys & Kerri-Marie
neil.buchan@angelmanuk.org
Rosemary Teggin (non-trustee) is our N. Ireland & Eire representative and organises regional meetings for our Irish members.
Rosemary’s married to Nigel and has three grown up sons, Philip is the youngest and will be 22 this year.
Regions
To provide better support for families and carers we have allocated
trustees or representatives to different regions around the country.
As our national conference happens only every two years each region will
endeavour to have regular meetings together so that you can get to know
people in your locality.
Information about these regional meetings will be printed in the newsletter
or posted in the events section of this website, but if there isn’t a
meeting in your area any time soon and you want to meet other people
connected with Angelman Syndrome you’ll be more than welcome to attend
meetings in other areas.
The regional areas are:
- South West & South Wales – Rich & Sue Williams
- South & South East – Christyan Fox
- East – Jeremy Webb
- Central – Lisa Court & Russell Andrews
- North West England & North Wales – Rachel & Chris Martin
- Scotland & North East England – Neil Buchan
- Ireland – Rosemary Teggin
Outside the UK
Whilst we are primarily a UK based support group, we do recognise that some countries do not have support groups of their own, and so we do have a number of members from overseas.
Support for siblings
A part of Assert’s work that is growing is support for the brothers and sisters of people with AS, as we recognise that they will have their own needs. If siblings of any age want to talk with someone in a similar position about how they feel or the issues they’re facing we have people who can lend a listening ear – often siblings are surprised that there are others out there that have experiences, both happy and sad, that are the same as theirs. In addition we have a facebook group, “My
brother/sister has Angelman’s Syndrome" where siblings keep in touch and we run events for siblings at the biennial conference. For more information about this contact Russell Andrews.
russell.andrews@angelmanuk.org
