Our Trustees

Alexandra Wolstencroft

Alexandra is an Occupational Therapist whose work is defined by a deep commitment to inclusion, community empowerment, and strength‑based practice. Her professional approach is shaped by a rare blend of clinical expertise, leadership experience, and lived insight. Becoming a mother at 18 and qualifying as a hairdresser at 19 instilled in her a powerful sense of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of supportive networks—values that continue to guide her work with individuals and families. As a parent of three children, including one with complex needs, she brings an authentic understanding of the challenges many families face, and the determination required to navigate them.

Before entering the occupational therapy profession, she spent more than nine years as a Care Manager, supporting people to rebuild confidence, independence, and hope. This experience strengthened her belief that every individual has the capacity to thrive when met with compassion, opportunity, and the right support.

In her role as Chair of Inclusion Ventures, she brings together her clinical training, leadership skills, and lived experience to champion young people and families within the community. She is dedicated to creating environments where young people feel seen, valued, and empowered to shape their own futures. Her work is driven by a steadfast belief in the potential of every young person and the transformative power of community connection.

Ellie Nevard

Ellie is a committed trustee and our treasurer, she joined us in November 2017 soon after completing a one year secondment as a Business Connector in Clacton. Within this role she was tasked with bringing business and voluntary sectors together. Her considered and compassionate nature ensured she made this process easy. As a young persons charity we have many challenges to resolve in any one day, and priorities can change rapidly particularly if safeguarding issues arise. This inevitably draws our attention within the organisation. Eliie smoothes the path for us occasionally look outside for solutions. This valuable experience helped Inclusion Venture to deepen its partnerships beyond statutory and other voluntary sector partnerships and developed our buisness skills in managing the two community hubs. She continues to work full-time for HMRC whislt advocating for Inclusion Ventures.

Liz Numadi

Liz is our new trustee whose wealth whose extensive experience as both a paediatric and adult mental health nurse brings significant depth to our work. Her career spans a wide range of settings, including youth offending services, where she has supported some of themost vulnerable yougn people with complex needs. She previously worked in Africa , contributing to efforts that challlenge stigma, shift perceptions and break down barriers surrounding mental health. She brings a wealth of of knowledge, compassion adn advocacy for inclusive person centred practice.

Doug Rodway

Doug headed NE Essex Youth Offending Team for 14 years. He qualified as a social worker in the days when it was very much a frontline community based role. It was this early experience of working with the most vulnerable of youths that informed his approach as a manager and encouraged his team to have a creative, compassionate and trailblazing approach. It was through Doug and his colaboration with the local council that initiated the inception of Inclusion Ventures. He encouraged two of his team to spend months on the street developing relationships with the disaffected youth that were caught in the centre of very high youth crime statistics on the local estate. This vital work informed the foundation of our ethos, that of inclusion. Importantly those formative staff had the sensitivity to wait until the youths suggested we begin to use the community centre as our first safe space.

Chrisolita Sousa

Chris is a local mother and has worked tirelessly for our local communities. She has supported African Families In the UK, (AFIUK) for many years, and helps vulnerable children and adults, including refugees that have only recently reached the UK, integrate comfortably into our communities. Over the years Tendring has not been a particulalry diverse area and with the more recent social and political climate, the work of AFIUK has been vital in breaking down barriers and bringing people together. Chrisolita’s unique insight informs our provision, and ensures our commitment to inclusion is meaningful.