Juliette is a valued Trustee of Gateway Club and will be familiar to many members and families through her previous role as a member of staff within our clubs. Her experience working directly with members has given her a deep understanding of the organisation and its commitment to providing enjoyable, inclusive, and supportive opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

Alongside her role as a Trustee, Juliette works at Colchester Institute, where she supports adults with learning difficulties, helping them to develop skills, confidence, and independence. Her professional experience, combined with her longstanding connection to Gateway Club, brings valuable insight to the Board and helps ensure the charity continues to meet the needs of its members.

Juliette is passionate about supporting individuals to achieve their potential and is committed to helping Gateway Club provide a welcoming environment where members can build friendships, enjoy new experiences, and thrive within their community.

Jordan joined Gateway Club in 2012 as a Support Worker and has been a dedicated part of the organisation ever since. After becoming a volunteer in 2016, he was appointed as a Trustee in 2017, reflecting his longstanding commitment to supporting the club and its members. Over the years, Jordan has contributed in a variety of roles, including supporting Friday evening disco sessions and raising funds for the charity through a sponsored parachute jump.

Professionally, Jordan is an experienced Healthcare Consultant working with care providers regulated by both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted. He specialises in supporting organisations to improve quality standards, enhance staff training, and develop effective management strategies for complex behaviours. His expertise includes conducting quality audits, carrying out external mock inspections, reviewing health and safety processes, and strengthening care planning systems to help providers deliver outstanding care.

Martin joined Gateway Club in early 2014 after a successful 22-year career in financial services. He initially became involved as a minibus driver, collecting members from across the Colchester area and bringing them to the Friday Club at the Wilson Marriage Centre before ensuring they returned home safely at the end of the evening. Alongside this, Martin volunteered at both the Friday Club in Colchester and the Thursday Club in Clacton, building strong relationships with members and gaining first-hand experience of the positive impact Gateway Club has within the community.

In recognition of his dedication and commitment to the charity, Martin became a Trustee at the end of 2020 and now serves as the Secretary to the Board. In this role, he helps support the governance and administration of the organisation while contributing to its ongoing development and success.

Martin finds his involvement with Colchester Gateway Clubs immensely rewarding and is passionate about helping create opportunities for members to enjoy social activities, build friendships, and thrive in a supportive environment.

Sandra began her Gateway journey over 25 years ago when she was asked to help support members on a long weekend trip to Wild Duck. What started as a one-off opportunity quickly grew into a longstanding commitment, and she has been a dedicated volunteer ever since.

Today, Sandra is one of Gateway Club’s most enthusiastic and dependable supporters. She regularly helps at Tuesday club sessions and is a familiar face at many of the charity’s events. Often found in the kitchen, Sandra works alongside her team of volunteers to prepare and serve refreshments, helping to create the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Gateway is known for.

Sandra is also renowned for her dedication to fundraising, particularly when it comes to securing raffle prizes. Through her determination and community connections, she works tirelessly to gather donations that help make Gateway events successful and support the charity’s ongoing activities.

Her unwavering commitment, generosity, and passion for supporting members have made Sandra an invaluable part of the Gateway family for more than two decades.

Following her retirement in March, Mandy Hudson has taken on a new role as a Trustee of Colchester Gateway Clubs, continuing her lifelong commitment to the organisation she helped shape and develop. Having dedicated many years to supporting adults with learning disabilities, Mandy played a pivotal role in transforming Gateway into a respected and valued charity that provides friendship, opportunities, advocacy, and community inclusion for its members. Her passion, vision, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting legacy, helping countless individuals lead fuller and more connected lives.

Although she has stepped back from her operational responsibilities, Mandy remains an active and influential member of the Board of Trustees, ensuring that her experience, knowledge, and commitment continue to support the charity’s future growth and success

Veronica has been a dedicated Trustee of Colchester Gateway since its establishment as an independent charity in 1997 and currently serves as Chair of Trustees. Her longstanding commitment to the organisation has played an important role in shaping and supporting its growth over nearly three decades.

With a professional background in financial services and the successful management of a family business, Veronica brings a wealth of experience in governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, and organisational leadership. Her knowledge and guidance have helped ensure that Colchester Gateway remains financially robust, well-governed, and focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for the people it supports.

As Chair of Trustees, Veronica provides strong leadership to the Board, helping to shape the charity’s vision and ensure it continues to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and their families.