Meet the Team - Our Trustees
Potential Plus UK trustees bring with them different skills, experiences and perspectives, allowing them to make well-rounded decisions which guide and govern our charity – serving the needs of our membership and the high learning potential community. Meet our trustees below and find out a little bit more about them.
Steve Ramsden - Chair of Trustees
For most of my career I’ve been an IT manager which has been hectic, challenging and at times all-consuming. Using my IT expertise has been one of the areas which I have been able to bring to my role as a trustee. I am now the Chair of Trustees.
Why did you become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
I joined Potential Plus UK to get help with issues our son was having at school. It helped enormously to discuss strategies about how to talk to the school and then he seemed to fit in so much better with children we met at events. I gained so much, so I wanted to give something back.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
Working with a group of like-minded people on a worthwhile goal is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. What I get out of it is a multiple of what I put in. Parents’ gratitude when we have made a life changing difference to their child’s life is really moving.
Do you have a pet?
I feed a stray cat. Recently I found out that he is also fed by a neighbour, which explains why he often turns his nose up at the food I offer!
Do you play a musical instrument?
I am learning to play the saxophone. I have fallen in love with this beautiful instrument so now have four – a tenor, alto, soprano plus an electronic one to play with headphones to save my wife’s sanity.
Do you have any hobbies?
I’ve loved puzzles since my Dad gave me a solitaire board when I was 8. I spent the next few hours solving it! Martin Gardner is one of my heroes and I love this quote about him, “He is said to have turned dozens of innocent youngsters into maths professors, and thousands of maths professors into innocent youngsters’. I think many Potential Plus UK children can relate to that.
What are you proud of?
Not being afraid to fail. Although it is difficult to push yourself out of your comfort zone and risk failure, it is the only way to grow and to be able to accomplish things you never thought you were capable of doing. If you only set goals you can succeed at you will never surprise and amaze yourself on what you have done. That’s worth a few failures.
Daniel Dipper
I am a History and Politics undergraduate at the University of Oxford. I am also involved in Access and Outreach work both at the University and with outside organizations including Zero Gravity, The Sutton Trust, and the Social Mobility Foundation. Alongside this I have my own business, I am a Student Ambassador for Tortoise Media, and I am involved with the Oxford Union, plus I participate in student representation at a College and University level.
Why did you become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
I had been a member of the charity for 10 years and had benefitted so much that I wished to give back by sharing my experiences and expertise. I particularly wanted to focus on young adults, supporting them in exploring post-18 options.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
It’s a very rewarding experience and gives me an opportunity to learn more about how charities function. Everyone involved at Potential Plus UK is so committed to supporting high learning potential children, and they are great to work with in terms of how constructive and creative they are.
Do you have any hobbies?
I used to be a lighting designer and production manager in the live events industry and have been a DJ for weddings and birthday parties since I was 15.
What could talk about for hours without getting bored?
There are many things I could talk about for a very long time! I’d probably pick out my time in the live events industry and modern British politics as the two topics I am often found speaking about.
What are you proud of?
I am really proud of getting into the University of Oxford as I am the first generation in my immediate family to go to university. All my education was in non-selective state schools, and my school had never applied to Oxford before. I also was very happy to come Runner-Up in the inaugural Sutton Trust award for Social Mobility.
Lorraine Fellows
After many years in teaching, I started my own business providing resources, support and training in social and emotional wellbeing for young people and all who love and work with them. I specialise in neurodiversity, high learning potential, and sensitivity.
Why did you choose to become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
After contacting them for help with my youngest son, I was so impressed with their care, expertise and professionalism that I was delighted and honoured to become a trustee. They are a rich source of support, advice and practical ideas that really help high learning potential young people, their families and teachers.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
In so many ways! It is a privilege to be able to work with the Potential Plus UK staff and trustees who are dedicated, knowledgeable and inspiring!
Do you have a pet?
I have a bouncy goldendoodle named Charlie who loves people – sometimes too much!
What is a topic you could talk about for hours without getting bored?
How to be our best selves (and how to help others to be); knowing who we are, compassionately connected with ourselves and with others.
What are you really proud of?
My 5 wonderful children and how they are living with courage and compassion. – and my beautiful granddaughter!
Where is your favourite place and why?
Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall, where we have spent many happy family holidays for the past 25 years – such a beautiful, fun beach.
Anil Joshi
I’m a Hedge Fund Consultant with expertise in finance.
Why did you choose to become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
I wanted to volunteer my finance expertise to a worthy cause. I feel that Potential Plus UK is a valuable organisation which makes a real difference to young people’s lives as well as to their families. I really enjoy interacting with the other trustees from a wide range of backgrounds.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
I have found it so interesting to find out about the issues faced by the children with high potential.
What sports do you enjoy?
Martial Arts – as you might guess from my photo.
What is a topic you could talk about for hours without getting bored? Finance definitely!
If you had to live somewhere else, where in the world would that be?
Japan as I’m fascinated by the culture and could pursue my love of martial arts.
What is your earliest memory?
My first day at school. The school dinners made a big impression on me.
What are you really proud of?
My kids who are just wonderful
Joy Morgan
I was a teacher in London secondary schools for 43 years and loved it. Since September 2021, I have started to work less so I can do the things I enjoy most such as running teachers’ workshops and coaching leaders.
Why did you become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
I discovered Potential Plus UK when teaching and I was so impressed by their knowledge and expertise about absolutely everything to do with young people with high potential. They helped me support my own daughter as well as supporting our whole school approach to high potential learners – and we then won lots of awards!
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
I have learnt so much by working with the other trustees and staff. They are an amazing group of people who are absolutely committed to supporting young people, families and schools. Their expertise is incredible.
Do you have a pet?
I recently adopted a second dog, Bella, to join Molly who is less than thrilled and very concerned that she will need to share her food.
What is a topic you could talk about for hours?
How teachers can encourage, support and challenge disadvantaged young people to extend the opportunities open to them in future.
If you had to live somewhere else, where in the world would that be?
Edinburgh but with better weather
Wafaa Salim
I am a RIBA part 2 Architect & Urbanist by training but have diverse work experience working as a Project Manager and Business Development Manager and holding different roles as a volunteer serving in many communities.
Why did you choose to become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
I have benefited immensely from the service Potential Plus UK provides to parents and children with high learning potential. When the opportunity to join the Trustee Board came up, I wanted to actively contribute and influence the strategic direction of Potential Plus UK. I really appreciate the understanding, support, help and advice and that sense of belonging to the charity, which acts as a cushion one can fall into when things get complicated for you or your child/children with high learning potential.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
Being part of such an incredible team is a true privilege. they are friendly colleagues, supportive and very committed to the core objectives of Potential Plus UK.
What sports do you enjoy?
I enjoy Aerobics, and I have been involved in these exercises since I was a teenager.
Do you have any interests?
Exploring the world. I enjoy everything from town planning, architecture or just natural landscapes. I also have fun going on trains, trams …etc. and my son shares my interest, so we always take every opportunity to travel, or just go on days out around towns and cities.
What is a topic you could talk about for hours without getting bored?
Serving communities and helping others and how to improve services and different kinds of provisions for users/people.
If you had to live somewhere else, where in the world would that be?
Southwest, Cornwall.
Branka Young
I am Head of Fundraising for a mental health charity. I have over 20 years’ experience of raising awareness and funds for great causes. Connecting with supporters and seeing general public react to personal stories, donating their money and time to help others is tremendously gratifying.
Why did you choose to become a Trustee at Potential Plus UK?
Potential Plus UK helped me discover that my son was multiple exceptional – confirming my belief that neurodiversity and exceptional talent can go hand in hand. We had been told that, though my son was very bright, he’d never do well in school. 5 years after joining Potential Plus, he is excelling at school and is a happy, confident child. Being a Trustee means that I can give something back to an organisation that had supported me when I needed it.
How has being a Trustee enriched your life?
Playing my part in helping children flourish, connecting with other parents to share stories about our wonderful children has been extremely rewarding experience.
Do you have a pet?
We are adopting a dog – I am looking forward to welcoming another dog in our lives, 10 years after our beloved collie passed away.
If you had to live somewhere else, where in the world would that be?
Lake Bled in Slovenia – a fairly unknown eco-haven, hidden away between Italy and Austria, perfect surroundings for those of us who love unspoilt nature and hiking.
What is a topic you could talk about for hours without getting bored?
Inequality on a global scale, exacerbated by climate change. Also, inequality on a local level, particularly about children from disadvantaged background getting equal educational opportunities.
What are you really proud of?
My children – I am blessed with a son and a daughter who share the same brilliant, dry sense of humour, kindness and a strong sense of justice.
Melinda Hungerford
We are awaiting Melinda’s biography and Q&A