Meet Our Kent Speakers

Sharon Rindsland - Senior Moving and Handling Co-ordinator

MSc in Ergonomics, Member of National Back Exchange, Conference Director, Chair of the Kent group.

I have over 26 years’ experience in manual handling and have worked across many areas of Kent. I have worked in Three acute trusts in the last 26 years, in my current role I assist the Trust strategically on how to implement the Moving and Handling Policy and advise on the important of patient and staff safety.

One of my bigger projects is to promote patient mobility and the importance of keeping our patients moving. The effects of immobility Older people in hospital who are confined to bed are at risk of losing physical condition, function and independence; this is known as deconditioning and is one of the most common reasons for delayed hospital discharge.

Michael Connolly - Disability advocate with lived experience.

Having spent the last 30 years as a trainer, assessor & training manager Michael tells us that the most rewarding and enjoyable time has been spent in aviation.

He have several close family members with disabilities and when he began my time in aviation it was apparent that although visible and mobility disabilities were catered for around the world there was a significant lack in support for those passengers with hidden disabilities.
He helped to develop the Hidden Disability project in his last role and this training is now recognised internationally and is also being introduced outside of aviation into supermarkets and transport systems around the country.

At SkyWise Solutions he puts his experience into making aviation more accessible, so that those who want to fly, can fly.

Ross Smith - Scheme Stakeholder Executive

I provide a gateway for Healthcare and Disability organisations into the Motability Scheme.

Having been a beneficiary of the Scheme for over 20 years, I am evangelical about its benefits and the quality and breadth of choice, support and service it offers. Now seeing this ‘from the inside’ I am even more impressed!

Prior to joining Motability last year, I have worked as a Disability Consultant focusing on access and inclusion, have worked within the NHS and Hampshire County Council and have served on a variety of Boards for organisations seeking to enhance the lives of those living with disabilities

Kierran Pearce - The Multi-Schools Council Lead

Kierran Pearce is the lead for the Multi-Schools Council (MSC). Kierran has 15 years’ experience of working within SEND education, and the idea was born while he worked within a school for young people with moderate learning differences and ASD. Since then, Kierran has worked in another local special school building a network of schools that want to challenge negative perceptions towards young people with SEND.

Ruth Rabét - Global Business Director

Ruth spent 35 years in Aviation holding various roles in Airline Operations. Her final 5 years were spent managing the Assistance Team at Gatwick Airport, a role that would see her play an integral part in creating the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and is passionate about raising awareness about non-visible disabilities.

Dominic Lund-Conlon- Accessibility & Inclusion Manager

Dominic has worked in transport policy for over 15 years on a variety of challenges, both customer and strategy focused. As a person with lived and professional experience, Dominic focuses on inclusive solutions that empower customers to control their journey with confidence and dignity, overseeing the rollout of the most recent Passenger Assist platform and the changes reducing assistance booking times for passengers to just two hours before travel, to compliment the existing turn up and go service offering.

Kay James & Jane Dolphin - OT4Independence Ltd

Kay James and Jane Dolphin provide an independent moving and handling service across the South East. They are both experienced Occupational Therapists and Trainers. They provide realistic and engaging training based on a risk assessment approach. This is to ensure that the most suitable equipment and number of handlers are implemented to guarantee that support is provided in a personalised way for the best outcomes for the person.

Teresa Laviniere - Disability Advocate, deaf awareness and inclusion

I am mum to twins Hannah and Jacob who are 12 years old. Jacob has a rare syndrome called Kabuki, Jacob is deaf, a characteristic of his syndrome and autistic. I advocate for deaf awareness the better understanding that is needed for our deaf children and families, also young carer awareness for our children who have siblings with special educational needs. Sharing lived experiences to give an insight for the awareness needed I am passionate about.

Simon Fielden - Clinical Scientist

Simon is an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with 30 years experience in the field of assistive technologies. After 20 years in the NHS where he managed a range of assistive technology services, Simon joined Coventry University as Director of the Health Design & Technology Institute, (HDTI). HTDI worked across the assistive technology sector by working with small businesses developing new products, running a range of research projects and supporting graduate and postgraduate teaching. Simon’s experience at HDTI led to a desire to set up Rahana Life as a vehicle to deliver top quality assistive technology that enhances an individual’s independence with stylish, functional and integrated technologies that are a joy to use

Caitlin Cowan-Jones, ARMS Rehab Limited

Caitlin is a 2nd year law student who is also an active educator with her family’s training company, ARMS Rehab Limited. She has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is a survivor of mental ill health. As well as this lived experience, she is a young carer and has autistic siblings as well as neurodivergent parents and experience of caring for a grandparent with dementia. She is a coach who works with young people, including those who are neurodivergent. Caitlin is a keen advocate for people whose behaviour is often seen as challenging by society and uses her lived experience in conjunction with academic knowledge to educate others and to promote a greater understanding of why someone’s behaviour is the way that it is (the behaviour is often as a result of environmental factors that has not been managed well). Along with her sisters and her occupational therapist father, she has presented at Naidex, Disability Expo and on a number of undergraduate courses for health professionals.

Isaac Harvey MBE

Born and raised in East London with a disability, I have never let my disability limit me. Embracing adventures like skiing and skydiving, I've used my feet for over a decade to operate computers and connect with the world. I received an MBE from King Charles for my advocacy within the disability community. I've modelled at London Fashion Week, been featured in Vogue, and built over 40,000-strong LinkedIn followers, by sharing my lived experience online.

As an ambassador and president of Wheels and Wheelchairs, I promote inclusivity through the power of sport. The support from my friends and family has been vital, especially while addressing mental health challenges. Ultimately, my aim is to impact lives positively, offering a realistic, fulfilling view of living with a disability.

Paula Marten - Assistant Headteacher

Paula is Assistant Headteacher at Chailey Heritage Foundation, a school for young people with complex neurodisabilities. She has worked in post-16 Special Education for 28 years. At Chailey, Paula has led the development of services to support young people and their families through the NHS Continuing Care/Continuing Healthcare assessment process. Paula has worked to raise the profile of Transition to Adult services through speaking at All Party Parliamentary Groups, local and national conferences, contributing written evidence to the latest Government report on Transition to Adulthood, and working with parent/carer forums in the Southeast.

Paula also helps deliver RSE training for teachers, carers, and parents across the UK via the Sex Factor course - a programme developed to empower them to deliver quality RSE to young people with complex disabilities.