About the Team
Jackie LodgeChief Executive
I have almost 30 years' experience working in the charity sector in a range of management roles. I was most recently the Chief Executive of an endowed charity in Surrey which provides supported housing, community buildings, and grants for organisations tackling need and poverty. I have led the charity for almost 15 years, developing new services as well as ensuring the long-term financial stability of the organisation. I am also Vice Chair of the People's Health Trust and a board member of Co-Op Homes. I previously worked for the British Heart Foundation, heading up the UK care and rehabilitation programs. During this time, I developed the BHF heart nurse programme to provide specialist care across the UK for people with heart failure. Prior to this, I held a range of management roles with the Age Concern federation supporting the governance of local organisations and the development of quality assurance for information and advice services. I have also held various trustee positions on local and international charities. I have a BA in Psychology and a master's degree in Charity Management from City University. I am married with two grown up children and live in Surrey with my border terrier. In my spare time, you’ll find me rowing on the River Thames or running along the tow path.
Patsy Lecont
PWS Specialist Team Manager
I’ve been lucky enough to work for the Association since January 2017, and I’m the very proud Support and Training Team Manager. I love being able to help families through every stage of their journey, and making sure we have the most up to date and relevant information available. It’s a real blessing being able to work from home, meaning that I can spend time with my many children (one of whom has PWS) and my grandchildren. On a personal note, I love nothing more than sitting and crocheting the hours away, when I get the chance!
Ruth Consterdine
PWS Specialist Team Deputy Manager
I joined PWSA UK in August 2018 as a Support and Training Officer. I have a background in the voluntary sector, working for Home-Start UK for many years supporting families and children. I then spent a brief period working for my local authority, providing training in Positive Behaviour Support for Residential Care Providers. I really enjoy all aspects of my role with PWSA UK, from talking to families on the phone, delivering training, meeting families at events and clinics as well as recruiting and supporting volunteers. I’m so glad I feel very ‘at home’ both within the organisation and as part of the wider PWS family.
Sheila Inwards
PWS Specialist Adviser
I joined PWSA UK in July 2021 as a Support and Training Officer. I have a son who is 36 with PWS which I hope will provide me with the knowledge and understanding to support and train on behalf of PWSA UK. I have a background in early years and supporting families through fostering and respite care. I am also a Makaton tutor and have used my knowledge and experience of supporting my son with his speech difficulties to offer training, support and empathy to families and those supporting people with speech and language communication difficulties. I am feeling very lucky joining the team and looking forward to the times ahead when I get the opportunity to meet you on Zoom or face-to-face.
Sarah Brindle
PWS Specialist Adviser
I joined PWSA UK in April 2023 as a Support and Training Officer. I have dedicated my career towards supporting people who are struggling to have their voices heard and their needs met. My grass roots are working with people with learning disabilities and I have over 20 years' experience working in the charity sector. I have previously worked with men and women in high and medium secure units, mostly on forensic sections, as well as PICU units and adolescents on sections of the MHA. I was previously the manager for a national advocacy provider covering the entire north west region. I am delighted to be joining the PWSA community and bringing my knowledge, expertise and experience and sharing this with you and supporting through our journey together for however long is needed.
Tracey O'Donnell
PWS Specialist Adviser - Northern Ireland
I joined PWSA UK in November 2024 as the Northern Ireland Specialist Advisor and look forward to connecting, engaging and supporting families from 2025.
Since 2012, I have been working as a pan-disability advisor in Northern Ireland across the areas of education, training and employment and have been privileged to meet many families and individuals who have greatly informed my understanding and professional practice within the disability sector. I look forward to learning more about PWS and helping to make a difference for our Northern Ireland PWS community.
Outside of a busy work week/ family life, I love to run, read and listen to podcasts.
Karen Wilkinson
Karen Wilkinson
Fundraising Manager
Hello, I am Karen and I joined PWSA UK in May 2015. My role involves anything to do with fundraising including working with our corporate partners, applying to funders, arranging and attending events and meeting with our many, many amazing supporters. I have even been known to join in the events especially if there is a run involved.
Vicki Cooke
Finance and Operations Manager
I joined PWSA UK in the role of Office and Accounts Administrator back in February 2019 - 5 years later and my role just keeps on growing within the Association meaning I never have a dull day! I have previous experience working for a busy accounting office and also in the role of a support worker for a supported living organisation caring for adults with learning disabilities. I jumped at the chance when this role became available, as it was an excellent opportunity for me to combine both my skill sets and work within a fantastic team. On a more personal note, my husband and I have recently taken on our second house renovation project whilst raising my 2 children and trying and failing to have some form of control over 2 very mischievous kittens. In my down time, I love to let my hair down with friends, browse Vinted for a good bargain, get stuck into a good series, and I just love going on a new adventure so you may just find me taking on the next PWSA UK challenge!
Lizzie Pratt
Operations and Communications Officer
I joined PWSA UK in September 2021 as the Office Administrator. Since leaving school, I have worked in customer service, including office management and all that it entails. Recently, my role has developed, and my title is now Operations and Communications Officer.
I am passionate about supporting the PWS community and raising awareness of the challenges they face. I love sharing your stories, so please get in touch if there is something you’d like to share. I feel honoured to be part of the PWSA UK team.
On a personal level, my partner and I enjoy taking on small renovation projects and are currently working on our third home. I also love walking and exercising, often setting myself new challenges. I enjoy pushing my limits and look forward to the next exciting PWSA UK fundraising event!
Myles Kelly
Project Manager
Since 1986 I’ve been privileged to have worked with and supported adults with PWS. I’m sure I am who I am today because of the many people with PWS I’ve supported and cared for, not to mention their amazing families. Working for a national care provider, I saw the number of people we supported grow from 3 in 1986 to almost 100 when I departed in 2022. As part of the team, I played a central role in developing, maintaining and improving the standards of PWS care and support, as well as keeping abreast of the latest news and insights from around the PWS world by attending national and international conferences and training events. In all that time, I knew that I would simply never stop learning about PWS, no matter how many conferences I attended nor how much I read! My role at PWSA UK will see me assessing how PWSA UK can influence residential settings for adults with PWS to ensure they receive the best possible standards of care and quality of life, which will be hugely important to individuals and families across our community. Working for and with PWSA UK will be the icing on my professional cake! Away from work, I love spending time with family, sport, music, film and TV.
Catherine Carey
Engagement Manager
I'm passionate about making life better for people with Prader-Willi syndrome, something that I have a very personal stake in, as mum of a young person with PWS.
My goal as engagement manager is to make sure that we're shouting loud and clear about what people with PWS and their families need, getting that message to those with the power to change things. I'm on a mission to listen closely to people with PWS and those who provide care for them, to make sure we're providing the highest quality services, resources and information to meet their needs.
I have 25 years' experience in media and communications, specialising in digital strategy and community engagement. 20 of those were spent at the BBC, working across radio, TV, social media and digital content. I'm excited to be able to use my skills and experience for a goal I care about so deeply. I also served on the PWSA trustee board for 10 years before starting this role, so I know a bit about the association too.
I'm lucky enough to know lots of you already but I love meeting new members of our community. Please reach out and let me know how life with PWS is for you. I'd love to and hear your ideas and thoughts, or just say hello!
