Tracey Harrison - Chair 

I am the current Chair of NAS Stafford, taking on the role in February 2020. I have been a member of the NAS committee for a few years, running the Wednesday Junior Play Club at The Play Shed in Stafford.

My involvement with autism charities spans fourteen years and I have three children, two on the spectrum. I am especially interested in Mental Health and Autism, and sit on the Autism Partnership Board with representatives from MPFT, Healthwatch, the CCG and other support groups.

When not supporting NAS Stafford I love to travel, write, read, and study history. Our house is also home to two dogs, two bunnies and a bakery, so life is never dull!

Ian Scott - Treasurer

I joined the branch in early 2019 as Treasurer. I am a qualified bookkeeper with the Association of Accounting Technicians and a member of the International Association of Bookkeepers. I am also Treasurer of a small mental health charity in Lichfield.

The Treasurer role ensures that the branch bank account remains healthy, monitors committee expenditure on all activities and maintains regular NAS Head Office financial records. I have been a passionate supporter of Autism causes for several years.

In my spare time I read the Sunday Times (I usually have two weeks of back issues to get through), I like a difficult sudoku, and I am a fan of Rugby Union and real ale.

Liz Minshall - Secretary

I joined NAS Stafford Branch as Secretary just after Tracey in 2020, although I’ve been aware of this great group for years. 

I have worked in both the public and voluntary sector for (too many) years helping groups to access and manage funding.

Voluntary work is my main focus now, being involved with a local peer support group which helps people recovering or dealing with health and wellbeing issues, and I recently became involved with a voluntary car scheme. 

Whilst I don’t have personal experience of autism, I have family friends who are dealing with it.

Lindsey Douglas

I joined the committee in 2019 after being an active member of the branch for some time. I have two children, a daughter Verona and a son Grayson who is autistic with a severe learning disability. Grayson was diagnosed at three years of age. 

My main involvement with NAS Stafford is in the organising and hosting of monthly parent support groups. Our support groups, currently held via Zoom run on the second Wednesday of each month at 19:30 and we typically alternate between informal chit chats and guest speaker presentations and Q&A’s. 

In my spare time I enjoy reading, blogging on my website Beautiful Caterpillar and spending time with my family. 

Jon Douglas

Being a member of the Staffordshire NAS committee is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. As a committee member, I have the opportunity to work with a group of dedicated individuals who share a common goal of improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. 

Participating in planning and organizing events, fundraisers and educational programs, as well as developing and implementing initiatives that support our mission (plus I get to play Santa, but shhh, it's a secret!).

As a member of the committee, being able use my skills and expertise to make a difference in the autism community is rewarding and an opportunity for personal growth by learning more about autism and its impact on individuals and families.

Sheanagh Gibbs

I joined the NAS committee about four years ago. I'd taken my son to stay and play on Saturday mornings and loved what the committee said and did and wanted to be involved. 

Myself and my husband have had a long battle to try an get our son his autism diagnosis as he was the golden child at school and we think it's your parenting attitude with his teachers. 

His consultant still saw him and reviewed him until we moved him to a school that was tiny compared to his previous school and within eight weeks got a positive diagnosis for him. 

We have two other children and a dog so busy household that's not often still for long!

Anne George

I joined NAS in about 2002 and I have always worked in a supportive role. The last volunteer role was as the “snacks lady” in the kitchen. 

I think I must have made a million cups of coffee in there! I’ve also been the person dealing with the petty cash. 

In all this time I’ve watched the NAS Stafford Branch develop into the active and vibrant organisation that it is now, and a much needed resource for families.

Tracy Moon

I am a newly joined member to the NAS committee. My 14 year old  son has Autism, ADHD and severe Generalised Anxiety Disorder. I spend my days supporting him; he has his education at home as he’s too anxious to attend school. 

I wanted to join the committee so I can support others who may be in a similar situation. It’s been a  very long road and it would have been scary without the help and support of others. 

Julie Goodyear

I am an extremely proud mom to Luke and Joe, both whom are autistic and young adults. My husband is also autistic and fantastically clever having interests in clock and watch repairs, PC building,  engineering and mechanics.

I enjoy helping support other parents, carers and siblings by sharing my own experiences in the hope that I can offer support and advice, even in small ways! I am a person who will listen and fully ‘hear’ what you are expressing!