About Us

Annette Mountford MBE BA RGN HV Chief Executive
One of the three co-founders of Family Links. Worked as a health visitor for 13 years; when her children were small took a degree in English, becoming interested in the education system. Annette combined her experience in health, education and parenthood to introduce the Nurturing Programme to the UK in 1992.

Gina Hocking BA(Hons) Business Director
Gina joined Family Links as Managing Director in September 2005. She previously worked for Oxfam and prior to that for the Treasury. Her role is to ensure that Family Links continues to thrive and grow, rolling out the Nurturing Programme in a sustainable way.

Verity Lowe BEd MA Programme Director - Midlands Office
With 20 years' teaching experience, Verity worked as Social Inclusion Co-ordinator for the Wolverhampton Education Action Zone, co-ordinated a multi-agency Behaviour Support Team, and was for several years Area Co-ordinator for Wolverhampton before joining Family Links as Programme Director and becoming a member of the national training team.

Shirley Stephenson BA Dipl. Counselling PGCE RGN HV Programme Director - Northern Office
Working within the NHS for 30 years in Primary Care, health promotion and research, Shirley was Area Co-ordinator for Hull & East Riding before joining Family Links as Programme Director and becoming a member of the national training team.

Gail Allan BA Training Director
With a background in marketing and communications, as well as counselling skills, Gail co-ordinates Family Links' national training programme and is also a national trainer.

Darran Draper BSc (Hons) NNEB National Trainer
Darran has extensive experience of working with parents, with posts including Nursery Nurse, Fathers’ worker and Education welfare officer. Darran joined us from the Pyramid for Parents programme, and has knowledge of many parenting programmes as well as vast experience training facilitators. He is also the stepfather to four young men and will be based in the North West.

Gillian Warland National Trainer
Gillian is an experienced adult learning practitioner and previously managed the Parenting and Family Learning Team for the Adult Learning Service in Oxfordshire County Council before joining Family Links.

Julia Woods BA(Hons) PGCE Cert. Dth Cert. Counselling Area Co-ordinator for Oxfordshire
Provides training and on-going support for Oxfordshire schools, balancing this with her work as a national trainer. Julia joined Family Links in 2000 from a background in drama and movement therapy, counselling and teaching.

Please note that Julia is on adoption leave from January 2008. All enquiries concerning schools in Oxfordshire should be directed to Sarah Innes (please see below)

Sarah Innes Schools Training Administrator for Oxfordshire
Sarah organises school trainings in Oxfordshire and is the first point of contact for enquiries about these. Sarah joined Family Links in May 2005.

Sandra McAlpin Training Administrator - Northern Office
From a successful background in retail and catering, Sandra studied Speech and Theory and has a keen interest in work with speech therapy and young people. Sandra joined Family Links’ regional office in Hull in June 2007 and assists Shirley in her role as Programme Director for the North.

Eugenie Winter BA(Hons) PGCE TEFL Cert. Parent Group Co-ordinator - Oxfordshire
Eugenie joined the Family Links team in November 2005. She combines experiences in education, family support work and birth to three training. Eugenie is also a national trainer.

Jeanne Butlin Finance and Office Manager
Jeanne manages the Oxford office, as well as deals with finances and all invoices.

Jane Green Training Administrator
Jane deals with the logistics for Parent Group Leader trainings and keeps an overview of these around the country. Jane has been with Family Links since May 2004.

Hannah Watson Publicity and Fundraising Co-ordinator
Hannah keeps the website updated and is responsible for Family Links' promotional materials, such as leaflets and newsletters. She also assists in fundraising. Hannah joined Family Links after previously working for an Oxford-based internet company.

Rebecca Smith Marketing Co-ordinator
Rebecca is responsible for promoting the trainings offered by Family Links. She deals with the organisation of trainings and training enquiries.

Rebecca Ridgley Information Administrator
Rebecca looks after Family Links' recognition system and database. She is also the first point of contact for OCN accreditation enquiries, as well as being the data protection lead and providing IT support. Rebecca joined Family Links in July 2006 and previously attended a secretarial course at college after gaining office experience once completing her A-levels.

Donna Gardner Clerical Assistant
Donna deals with all orders for our materials and is the first point of contact for enquiries on these. She also makes sure that our office runs smoothly.

Lindsey Thornton PA to the Chief Executive
Lindsey joined Family Links in August 2006 and she assists Annette in her work.  She has a general background in Secretarial/Administrative work.  Lindsey recently took a career break to study full-time, and graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Theology with History.  She followed this with a 'gap year for grown-ups', travelling round the world with her husband.