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.
Rachel Martin (Welsh and North West Region) is our Chair and responsible for online support. Rachel lives in North Wales and is a stay at home mum. Rachel has 4 children – Alex, James (AS del+ born 2001), Zac and Beth.
rachel.martin@angelmanuk.org
Rich Williams (Welsh Region) has been a trustee since 2004 and is currently Vice Chair. Rich lives in Swansea, is married to Sue and works for the National Trust. Dad to Max (born 2010) and Holly (AS del+ born 2002). Holly lives in Wiltshire with her Mum.
rich.williams@angelmanuk.org
Lisa Court (Central Region) is our Treasurer and responsible for merchandise. Lisa is married to Craig and has 3 children – Ella (AS del+ born 2002), Jacob and Thomas.
lisa.court@angelmanuk.org
Russell Andrews (Central Region) is responsible for sibling support. He is 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
Sue Williams (Welsh Region) is our secretary. She is married to Rich and has a son, Max. Sue loves looking after Holly (AS del+ born 2002) and helping her enjoy new experiences and taking her for meals out.
sue.williams@angelmanuk.org
Christyan Fox (South East Region) is responsible for the design of the newsletter, merchandise and media. Christyan is married to Diane and they have three children – Harvey (AS born 1998), Lottie and Milo.
christyan.fox@angelmanuk.org
Neil Buchan (Scottish Region) organises regional meetings for our Scottish members. Neil is married to Linda and they have four children: Kieran (AS del+ born 1999), Sammi, Kerri-Marie and Rhys.
neil.buchan@angelmanuk.org
Katie Cunnea (South West Region) is our research trustee. Katie lives in Wiltshire and is married to David. They have 2 children – Ruby (AS del+ born 2007) and Finley.
katie.cunnea@angelmanuk.org
Linda Holmes (North East Region) is our Regional Meeting Co-ordinator. Linda is married to Rick and they have two daughters Lucy (AS born 1995) and Becky. Linda is keen to connect with ‘ube3a mutation’ and adult AS families.
linda.holmes@angelmanuk.org
Sian Cartwright (North East Region) is our Professional Advisor. Sian lives in Leeds with her partner Peter. They have two children Poppy and Euan (AS del+ born 1995) and four chickens.
sian.cartwright@angelmanuk.org
Rosemary Teggin is a non-trustee and is our Northern Ireland and Eire representative, organising regional meetings for our Irish members. Rosemary is married to Nigel and has 3 grown up sons. Philip who has AS is the youngest and is in his 20s.
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
