The express team
Annette Williams (Director and Co-Founder)
Annette’s background is in Finance. She is the contact for the parent led support group. Annette has two children, her youngest child was diagnosed with autism at 17 months old, later with hypermobility, SPD and ADHD. Annette is a parent governor at The Rise School.
Tracey Gaggiotti (Director and Co-Founder)
Tracey's background is in Insurance. She runs Social Skills Groups for young people with autism. Tracey has two children, her eldest child was diagnosed with 'high functioning' autism aged 8. Tracey is also the sibling of an autistic brother with SLD.
Annette’s background is in Finance. She is the contact for the parent led support group. Annette has two children, her youngest child was diagnosed with autism at 17 months old, later with hypermobility, SPD and ADHD. Annette is a parent governor at The Rise School.
Tracey Gaggiotti (Director and Co-Founder)
Tracey's background is in Insurance. She runs Social Skills Groups for young people with autism. Tracey has two children, her eldest child was diagnosed with 'high functioning' autism aged 8. Tracey is also the sibling of an autistic brother with SLD.
Our patron
John Williams is a writer and performer. He has a son with autism. In 2012 he created the award-winning blog and one man show called 'My Son's Not Rainman'. He has written for the BBC and featured on the Radio 4 Today Programme.
In John's own words:
"I became involved with express after meeting Annette and Tracey after one of my shows. I was immediately struck by their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to making a real difference for those with autism and their families, both within their local community and further afield. I am delighted to be a Patron of express, and I'm really excited by the plans they have for the future. Every town up and down the land deserves to have an express, and with Annette and Tracey's boundless energy, one day it might just happen"
In John's own words:
"I became involved with express after meeting Annette and Tracey after one of my shows. I was immediately struck by their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to making a real difference for those with autism and their families, both within their local community and further afield. I am delighted to be a Patron of express, and I'm really excited by the plans they have for the future. Every town up and down the land deserves to have an express, and with Annette and Tracey's boundless energy, one day it might just happen"
Our advisory panel
At express we have put together an Advisory Panel to consist of parents, both business and autism professionals and young people with autism to help take express forward. We want to ensure that we are consulting with the community that express will be supporting and using all expertise available.
The panel consists of parents of young people with autism across the spectrum and age ranges. We are also fortunate to have the experience of a young person with aspergers on our panel who grew up in Kingston and is truly inspiring.
Anna Abulafia
Anna's background is in public affairs and political communications, mostly in the charity sector. Her most recent role was working for an MP in Parliament. Anna is IPSEA trained to support with EHCPs and is currently studying to be a counsellor. Anna has two children, a daughter and a son. Her son was diagnosed with autism, aged 3.
Max Hamilton
Max has a diagnosis of Aspergers. He is currently studying at university and also assists in running social skills groups for young people with autism. Max is very keen to support Express and be a voice for young people on the autism spectrum.
Shirley Lafond
Shirley's background is in Business, I.T. and Software Development. Shirley is IPSEA trained to provide support with EHCPs. She has four children, two are diagnosed with autism, one of which is also diagnosed with ADHD.
Helen May
Helen is a freelance writer and has been running her own business for 15 years. She works mainly in the higher education sector, writing articles for stakeholder publications and websites, as well as direct mail for fundraising campaigns. She has two teenage daughters, one of whom has Asperger's Syndrome.
Sam Rospigliosi
Sam has worked as a researcher & commissioning editor in book publishing and has been a volunteer befriender for nearly 20 years. Her daughter communicates using sign and PECS and attends Jigsaw School in Surrey.
Alis Rowe
Alis has Asperger’s Syndrome. She created The Curly Hair Project to help women and girls with Asperger’s Syndrome and their neurotypical loved ones communicate and understand each other through a stick cartoon figure, which appears on Facebook and in her books, posters and other visuals.
The panel consists of parents of young people with autism across the spectrum and age ranges. We are also fortunate to have the experience of a young person with aspergers on our panel who grew up in Kingston and is truly inspiring.
Anna Abulafia
Anna's background is in public affairs and political communications, mostly in the charity sector. Her most recent role was working for an MP in Parliament. Anna is IPSEA trained to support with EHCPs and is currently studying to be a counsellor. Anna has two children, a daughter and a son. Her son was diagnosed with autism, aged 3.
Max Hamilton
Max has a diagnosis of Aspergers. He is currently studying at university and also assists in running social skills groups for young people with autism. Max is very keen to support Express and be a voice for young people on the autism spectrum.
Shirley Lafond
Shirley's background is in Business, I.T. and Software Development. Shirley is IPSEA trained to provide support with EHCPs. She has four children, two are diagnosed with autism, one of which is also diagnosed with ADHD.
Helen May
Helen is a freelance writer and has been running her own business for 15 years. She works mainly in the higher education sector, writing articles for stakeholder publications and websites, as well as direct mail for fundraising campaigns. She has two teenage daughters, one of whom has Asperger's Syndrome.
Sam Rospigliosi
Sam has worked as a researcher & commissioning editor in book publishing and has been a volunteer befriender for nearly 20 years. Her daughter communicates using sign and PECS and attends Jigsaw School in Surrey.
Alis Rowe
Alis has Asperger’s Syndrome. She created The Curly Hair Project to help women and girls with Asperger’s Syndrome and their neurotypical loved ones communicate and understand each other through a stick cartoon figure, which appears on Facebook and in her books, posters and other visuals.
Our advisors
We are consulting with autism professionals on an ongoing basis and will be working closely with a leading business mentoring programme.
Locality is the leading nationwide network of development trusts, community enterprises, settlements and social action centres
Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) works to improve the quality of life for all of Kingston upon Thames’ communities by supporting voluntary and community action in the borough. KVA are passionate about helping voluntary and community organisations be informed, be supported, get connected and have a voice to make this happen. KVA offer direct support services, specialist advice, networks and forums, and high quality yet affordable training to organisations to become more effective, sustainable and influential.
