About Us

express is an independent user led organisation based in the borough of Kingston upon Thames. Our aim is to support autistic people and their families, and promote awareness and acceptance in the community. We are a CIC, which is a community interest company meaning that we operate as a 'not for profit' organisation.

Our History

express was founded in 2012 by Annette Williams and Tracey Gaggiotti. Both have autistic family members, and both were frustrated at the lack of services provided.

"We wanted to create a social environment where autistic people and their families would feel welcomed and secure within the local community", explains Annette.

"We wanted to provide a service that would be used, supported and enjoyed

by the community as a whole".

Since 2012 express has grown substantially, and has supported 100s of families in many different ways. From dramatherapy to dragon boat racing, express have done it!

Meet The Team

Annette Williams BCAe FCCA

Director and Co-Founder

Annette's background is in Finance. She is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant, FCCA. Annette has two children, her youngest child was diagnosed autistic at 15 months old, later with hypermobility, SPD and ADHD. Annette was a parent governor at The Rise School and involved in securing Spring School for Kingston.

Tracey Gaggiotti BCAe

Director and Co-Founder

Tracey's background is in Insurance Claims Management, both in the public and private sector. Tracey has been running a social skills group for young autistic children since 2005. Tracey has two children and is the sibling of an autistic brother with SLD.

Service Leads

Meet the team who manage our creative arts therapy, counselling service, clubs and peer support groups. They are all supported by therapists, counsellors and volunteers.

We couldn't do it without them!

Louisa Webster

Therapy Lead

Louisa is an HCPC registered drama & movement therapist. Qualified in 2014 she has extensive experience of working with ACEs with a trauma-informed approach in educational settings & working with children with additional learning needs & neurodivergence. Alongside therapeutic work directly with children she works with their families, carers, social workers, CAMHS & wider professional networks. Louisa has significant experience of social care needs & working alongside virtual schools to support children with Looked After status. She has worked in many MDTs, alongside offering supervision & line management for therapy colleagues & educators.

Creative Arts Team

Kate McKenna

Counselling Lead

Kate is a registered member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and along side her work with Express she runs her own private practice.

Before becoming a counsellor she worked as a support worker with young adults with additional needs, then as an assistant social worker in Adult Social Care and as an IMCA

(Independent Mental Capacity Advocate).

Kate leads on our parent/carer service and our specialist service for Autistic adults.

Counselling Team

Beth Gardiner

Clubs Lead

Beth’s background is working in schools & community projects with an SEN focus. Having taught Drama and English, Beth also worked as a specialised Teaching Assistant for SEN & Hearing Impaired students, key-working in a local Hearing Impaired Unit.

Beth facilitates all clubs areas for Express; specialising in facilitating Drama sessions, Film club and Social Connection.

Before focussing on Charities with SEN/Autism specialties, Beth worked at Kew Gardens in the Learning Department, coordinating Operations within School Trips & Community Access Scheme service users.

Jane Davies

Peer Support Lead

Jane's background is in teaching and she currently works in a local school.

Jane facilitates our peer support groups. Contact Jane to register with Express and join our peer support groups.

Jane facilitates both our meet ups and our WhatsApp groups.

Jane has one son who was diagnosed autistic aged 3.

Advisory Panel

Our Advisory Panel is made up of our Service Leads, colleagues, young autistic people, parents, and professionals. They meet regularly, donate their time freely and their input is invaluable in shaping the work we do.

Anna Abulafia

Anna is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a registered member of the BACP.

Anna set up and managed our Counselling service for a number of years. She now runs her own private practice and continues to see Express clients.

Anna has a daughter and a son. Her son was diagnosed autistic aged 3.

Jen Marillat-Bush

Jen is a qualified Drama Therapist and registered Therapist with the HCPC.

Jen managed our Therapy service for a number of years alongside running our groups and 1:1 therapy sessions.

Jen now works primarily on long term 1:1 specialist packages as well as running her private practice.

Kate Summers

Kate's background is in higher education.

She has two children one of which was diagnosed autistic aged 7.

Kate loves knitting and sewing for relaxation.

Max Hamilton

Max is autistic and has experience working with autistic children, supporting them in group settings.

Max is very keen to support Express.