The Blatchington Team

Geoff Lockwood – Clerk to Trustees

Geoff is a former Chairman of the Trustees but is now responsible for the planning and management of the Trust. Geoff was a founder member of the Board and was Chairman from 1995.

Prior to his retirement in 1996, Dr Lockwood was a Senior University Officer and International Consultant on Higher Education Management for 35 years.

"As Executive Chairman of the Trust for over a decade and as its Clerk for the past two years, it has been a pleasure to experience the professional skill and dedication with which the Trust helps young vision impaired people to fulfil their potential. The Trust strives to adopt a flexible approach when meeting the needs of the individuals it supports" - Dr. Geoff Lockwood

Alison Evans - Executive Manager

Alison has been with the Trust since its beginning in 1995. She is totally blind having lost her sight at the age of 13. Alison spent a few months at Blatchington Court School and later moved onto Dorton House School in Sevenoaks, Kent. She then spent a further 3 years at the Royal National College, Hereford achieving the necessary qualifications for entrance to University where she obtained a BA Hons Degree in Combined Studies. Alison is responsible for overseeing the daily running of the Trust and the services it delivers. All new referrals should be made direct to Alison. Alison's Guide Dog Austin is also a member of the Trust's team.

CLIVE PHELPS - Advocacy Officer

Clive joined the trust in 2007 to succeed John Werner as advocacy officer.

He was a teacher of science and ICT for 34 years and for many years was deputy head of Boundstone Community  College in West Sussex .

He has a long standing interest in enhancing pupil development and learning and has a Ph.D. based on cognitive psychology

Richard Sanger - Finance Officer

Richard joined us in 2000 having worked for chartered accountants in Brighton and Hove for many years. He is married with six children and ten grandchildren.

Joan Jeal - Administration Assistant

Joan came to Blatchington Court Trust after many years working for Sir John Wilson, founder/director of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind and then Impact.

Michael Collett – Technical Services Officer

Michael came to Blatchington Court Trust in April 2005 after 10 years working for AbilityNet . He is very happy to be back in Sussex after 30 years of exile in The Midlands

David Best – Counsellor

David first became involved with Blatchington Court as a client in 1998. He is registered blind due to a unique brain condition caused by an accident when he was a young child.

The Trust supported David with his education and provided him with necessary computer equipment. In 2003 David graduated from Chichester University with a B.A. in Professional Studies in Counselling.

On completing his degree, David worked for a year as an Occupational Health Counsellor at an NHS hospital in West Sussex. After the counselling service at the hospital was closed, David approached Blatchington Court Trust with the aim of setting up a counselling service.

David lives with his long term partner in Hove. He has three young children including identical twin boys.

Emma Aldridge – Clerical Assistant

Emma joined the Trust in October 2006 following three months’ work experience. Emma has firsthand knowledge and experience of the work of the Trust as she has been a client since the age of 12

Emma and her parents received support from John Werner in obtaining a Statement to help with her schooling and she also received computer equipment from the Trust to help with her studies at home. In her last year at school Emma asked to come to the Trust for her week’s work experience.

Little did she know that a few years later she would return for further work experience leading to part time employment. Emma enjoys her role as Clerical Assistant and is the friendly voice you will hear answering the telephone most afternoons

Christine Storey – Support Worker

Chris joined the Trust in 2004 as Alison’s Support Worker. Chris’s role is to assist Alison in the office by reading any written material and to drive or accompany Alison to any visits or meetings.

Chris also has another important role as she is now the owner of Onyx, Alison’s previous Guide Dog who had to take early retirement and now lives with Chris and her family and thoroughly enjoys life as a pet dog.

Diane Fazackarley – Benefits Adviser

Austin – Guide Dog

Austin is Alison’s fourth Guide Dog and, following Onyx’s retirement, joined the team in May 2006. He is a Labrador/Golden Retriever and accompanies Alison to all visits and meetings.

Austin enjoys his work and is always pleased to meet people and make new friends

Trustees

Richard Martin - Chairman

Alison Acason