Who we are

SIGNAL employs one member of staff – our Manager, Chantelle Turner – and other workers on a freelance basis

Chantelle

Manager

Chantelle is the part-time Manager for SIGNAL and responsible for keeping us ticking over.

Chantelle says:

“I'm Chantelle, the new Manager of SIGNAL. I have taken over the role from the lovely Candida.

My experience has been within charities over the past 9 years and a few of you might know me from managing the Young Carers project at Carers Lewisham for numerous years.

My experience from the charity sector and through working with vulnerable children and young people has taught me a lot about the valuable work which the support networks of families, parents and guardians bring.  I think that SIGNAL does a really amazing job at supporting our families as well as planning outings for the whole family too! I'm very excited to take this role on and continue to help provide the support that SIGNAL has offered many families over the past 30 years!

I'm also taking on the fundraising role and this is something which I am also excited to do. In my old role I would have to find external funding for everything which we offered so I have gained quite a lot of knowledge and experience doing this.  I'm keen to help bring funds into SIGNAL to be able to offer more activities and groups for families.”

Nerissa

Activities Co-ordinator

Nerissa is our Activities Co-ordinator and is responsible for managing our trampolining and swimming classes.

Nerissa says:

"My name is Nerissa, I absolutely love reading a good book and try to challenge myself.

I became a SIGNAL member at the end of 2022 and took on the role of Activities Co-ordinator in February 2024. 

SIGNAL has really been such an amazing supportive community where I have learned so much with other parents, it's a place where I've felt safe and very understood. You get to meet so many families and go to such a variety of places. No one in the group is ever alone.

Being apart of the team has been so rewarding."

Our teen group is for our young people aged 13-19 years old

Nicky

Teen group lead facilitator

Nicky is the leader of the teen group and monitors the teen group email. for any queries please contact teengroup@signalfamilysupport.org

Nicky says:

“Greetings everybody, my name is Nicky, and I’m the leader for the SIGNAL Teen Group.

I joined the SIGNAL family on the 1st July 2024. When I researched the history of SIGNAL and the inspiring story of how it was founded by a few local parents, I wanted to be a part of this story. My work background consists of youth work and play work in which I have over 20 years of experience. This includes managing adventure playgrounds, children's centres and after-school clubs.

The SIGNAL Teen Group project is something I am passionate about, and I enjoy working with the young people there. I hope my experience will help the project grow into a fun, enjoyable environment in which all the users will feel welcome and benefit from the opportunity we are offering.”

Majo

Teen Group Assistant

Majo says:

“Hello everyone, my name is Maria Jose but you all can call me Majo and I will be the assistant for the SIGNAL teen group. 

I am a performing artist and teacher from Bogotá, Colombia. I am currently studying an MA in Applied Theatre to educational, community and social contexts in Goldsmiths University. I have worked in education for around six years now. My experience has been very diverse, I have worked in homeschooling, tradicional schools, children art programs, theatre companies and in the university. What I love about education and performance brought me to SIGNAL. It is a space where everyone gets to have a valuable encounter with another human, and that always leads to an understanding of oneself and others. That is exactly what I am looking for, learning from those connections and I really hope that my experience will be useful to accompany the great experiences they are having and help the young people and their families to keep enjoying the space in fun and creative ways”

Our Committee is made up of volunteer members, all of whom are parents of autistic children…

Gabrielle

Chair of Trustees

Gabrielle joined SIGNAL in 2018. She says:

"I am Gabrielle Nwaordu. I am autistic, and I have ADHD and Dyspraxia (DCD). I am a parent carer and I have two children, both of whom are also neurodivergent.

I am currently a PhD student in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths University. My current area of research is examining the effects of sensory differences on the experience of menstruation in adults with varying neurotypes.

I have had many difficulties getting my own children the SEND provision in school and have faced discrimination on account of my own disabilities in the process. SIGNAL has been a breath of fresh air for me and my children to find a place where we are welcome and do not feel we need to mask or try hard to fit in and be accepted.

It is lovely to be able to go on family days out and attend clubs and be completely relaxed in the company of so many autistics and their families. I have sat on SIGNAL’s committee for a few years now, sharing my own autistic perspective when planning activities and events for Lewisham’s autistic young people and their families to enjoy. ”

Yolanda

Trustee (Treasurer)

Yolanda joined SIGNAL in 2017. She says:

"Over the years, I found value in the SIGNAL community and benefited from many opportunities that were available to me as a member. As a result of this, I have always recommended SIGNAL as both a charity to support / donate to and as a fantastic community for Lewisham parents of young, autistic people.  

Now I have survived advocating for my child through his educational years, I wanted to do more within the community, so was very pleased to join SIGNAL as a trustee.

I am a life-long Lewisham resident and have worked in schools for 9 years. I am also Autistic.”

Dola

Trustee

Dola joined SIGNAL in 2024. She says:

Dola Akinola is the mother of a bright and vibrant Autistic boy. She's also an Advanced Sports and Exercise Nutritional Advisor, a Pilates instructor, a cosmetic formulator and a New York Attorney with a background in finance. Dola began studying Autism in 2019 when she was looking for ways to help her son to talk. In 2020, she began to share her knowledge with other parents and carers, highlighting the importance of early languge intervention. 

Pete

Trustee

Pete joined SIGNAL in 2024. He says:

"I am an autistic person with a passion for supporting young people and their families. Diagnosed in adulthood, my experiences have shaped my understanding of the challenges autistic individuals face and the importance of creating spaces where they can thrive.

I have 18 years of experience working in education, working alongside autistic children who find school difficult. I believe in fostering independence, helping young people discover their purpose, and supporting them to reach their full potential. Creativity plays a big role in my life, from art and music to writing and comedy, and I enjoy bringing creative approaches to the work I do.

Joining SIGNAL Family Support as a trustee is a privilege. I am committed to supporting the organisation’s mission of empowering autistic individuals and their families."

Other involved members of SIGNAL

Helen

Fundraiser

Helen says:

“I became a member of SIGNAL in 2013, not long after my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of eight. I discovered an incredible community, full of engaged and inspiring people.

The networks it creates between people are invaluable; I have forged amazing friendships and the mutual support has been like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.

In 2015 I joined the Committee and became a trustee, contributing to the many events and activities that SIGNAL provides for its members. I stepped down as a trustee in January 2019 in order to take on the role of SIGNAL’s grants and trusts fundraiser.”

Our logo & website

Our logo was designed by Andy Tuohy, who is autistic. It combines our name with the idea of a signal beaming out to our families, offering a welcome. It uses a dyslexia-friendly font. Andy can be contacted at andy@andytuohy.co.uk

This website is designed by Tania Joyce, a SIGNAL member. Please contact her at www.wildwood.design

 

Find out more

If you have a question about SIGNAL, please take a look at our FAQs page