Rebekah Jackson Reece
Rebekah's 20 years of expertise in supporting the childcare sector spans work with private, public and third sector organisations. As a recognised sector expert, Rebekah advises UK Government on sector issues and developments.
Rebekah is a former LA strategic lead for childcare, is a specialist in children's play and runs a successful childcare consultancy business.
As a trainer, speaker and sought after success coach, Rebekah focuses on ensuring the delivery of all our training, development and qualifications are outstanding for every learner.
As a passionate advocate for inclusion, quality and everyday playfulness, Rebekah brings ambition to the Out of School Alliance, always asking us to be bold and ask 'what if...?'
Abby Wilkins
Abby Wilkins is a highly experienced Wraparound Manager with a deep-rooted passion for the Out of School sector. From being a child at her local club to holding every role within it, Abby brings authentic, lived experience and a broad understanding of the sector as Manager.
She is a qualified Early Years Teacher, PARS Level 4 Playwork Practitioner, and a fully qualified Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer (IQA). Abby has successfully led large teams across both the charity and private sectors, championing inclusive, child-centred, play-rich environments.
Abby lives, breathes, talks, and walks the Out of School sector daily. Her training is infused with real-world insight, practical knowledge, and an infectious enthusiasm for the power of play. She is especially passionate about supporting professionals to embrace playwork in their everyday practice.
Ben Kingston-Hughes
Ben Kingston-Hughes the director of Inspired Children Ltd. Ben has over 30 years experience working with children in a variety of different settings. He is the winner of the 2019 National Playwork Awards Training Award and finalist for the Nursery World Trainer of the Year in 2020.
Ben has spoken at National, Regional and International Conferences including Nursery World and the International Play Association. He has written strategies for Local authorities and has written articles for several publications including Nursery World Magazine.
His training has gained widespread acclaim for inspiring learners to improve outcomes for children and he has recently been seen on Channel 4 delivering sessions for children.
Tori Edwards
Drawing on her expertise built on a 17-year career as a police officer, Tori Edwards gives you the appropriate tools to store in your tool box and provide advice, guidance and support to parents who share her vision to give every young person the childhood they deserve.
Tori is a straight talker and believes that honesty is the best policy approach when it comes to protecting young people.
As a mother of twin daughters, Tori brings a sense of realism and balance to her work, blending her personal and professional experience to provide effective and practical solutions and make sure young people can stay safe.
Imogen Edmunds
Imogen is the Managing Director of Redwing Solutions. Her company was established in 2004 and specialises in providing HR support to Day Nurseries, Pre-schools and Out of School Clubs across England, Scotland and Wales.
The company is a small team of HR Assistants, Advisors and Consultants who work from a converted cow shed in Worcestershire. They support their employers with all aspects of HR and employment law. All of their team are specially trained in Early Years and Childcare and undertake annual safeguarding training.
They were also shortlisted as HR Consultancy of the Year in 2020 by Personnel Today Magazine.
Lisa Jackson
Lisa is a multi-award winning Marketing Consultant who brings creativity, clarity and a bit of sparkle to marketing and social media campaigns.
After studying Fashion Promotion at University, Lisa worked in several organisations across the UK in a diverse range of industries, promoting anything from men’s elasticated trousers, to firework displays, Beatles music to Bugs. She once even worked on the set of Coronation Street!
Life threw Lisa a huge curveball when she was made redundant in 2010, which inspired her to start her own marketing consultancy in the beautiful Lake District.
Lisa, who became a Chartered Marketer in 2012, has worked with hundreds of businesses since starting her business, from sole traders and start-ups to FTSE 250 companies. However, after years of writing strategies, social media posts and campaigns, Lisa remains as passionate about marketing as the day she started (we won’t tell you how many years ago that was though!)
She loves marketing, thrives on her business and is passionate about each and every one of her clients. It is not just a job for Lisa…it makes her tick!
Tanya Petherick
Tanya Petherick is the CEO of Club Central, an organisation which plans conferences to support people working in out-of-school clubs.
Prior to setting up Club Central, she ran a group of 15 out-of-school clubs employing 150+ people, in Brighton with her sister. The company was sold just before the pandemic. Tanya was responsible for marketing, HR, finance, and customer service. She has an MBA and is currently undertaking a L7 mentoring qualification. Tanya loves business. Marketing, leadership and team development are her particular areas of interest, and she will be regularly adding more course to the OOSA Academy.
Sam Thomson
Sam Thomson is the founder of The Wellbeing Hive supporting schools, childcare settings and parents and Hexagon Hive supporting mental health and wellbeing in the wider workplace. Her mission is to create happy, resilient, understanding and understood environments enabling individuals and teams to thrive.
Sam was a Primary School Teacher before setting up and running a chain of Out of School Clubs in East Sussex for 20 years before selling in 2019. Her passion for getting it right for the children and the team led her to retraining to deliver mental health and wellbeing training combining theory with practical knowledge and experience of managing 150+ staff team and working with thousands of children over the years. Her aim is to give knowledge, skills and confidence to those she trains so they can support the individuals in their clubs enabling everyone to thrive!