Our Team.
Uplift has a team of Trustees from wildly different backgrounds are each passionate to fulfill the ambition of Uplift.
Josie Hambly is the Early Years Family Lead and the real "face" of Uplift. Widely experienced in working with young families, Josie will warmly welcome you to Uplift and introduce you to the wide range of activities and experiences available at our Hub. The easiest way to meet Josie is to pop in to 4 Lowman Green, opposite the Clocktower in Tiverton, or message her on our Facebook page: UpliftTiverton
John Timperley
Founder & Chair
John is an Orthopaedic surgeon who works in Devon. He recognised the value of the 1998 Sure Start initiative that aimed to give children the best possible start in life through improvement in childcare, early education, health and family support. The first three years of a child’s life have been proven to be absolutely critical in determining the life-chances of that child. Unfortunately, successive cuts in general funding from central government to local authorities in England has led to closure of many of these centres and the achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children, which can only be tackled in the early years, is rising. John founded Uplift as a project open to all families in the local area with the aim of contributing to positive experiences, promoting fun and improving the lives of the under fives and their families.
Kate Beith
Vice-Chair
Kate is an early years specialist, working originally as a teacher, advisor, campaigner and leader in a diverse range of
settings in the UK and internationally. She studied at London University, Goldsmith’s College and has an MA in
Working with Young Children and their Families from Pen Green Research Base, Leicester University.
Before working as Deputy Director of a large group of international Schools in Asia for 12 years, Kate was the
Principal an Early Years College in England where there were children on site from 4 months to 11 years, nursery and
primary school provision, an early years centre for the nearby BBC monitoring service and international students in
training. During this time she consulted internationally in Germany, Japan and the Maldives for organisations such as Service Children’s Education and the British Council.
Mary Richards
Uplift Hub Co-ordinator
Mary has recently taken on the role of Uplift Community Hub Co-ordinator and brings with it 25 years experience in the Early Years world. She has run both community preschools and nurseries, designed and led training for staff on behaviour management, child-led planning and difficult conversations. She is a qualified Early Years teacher and parent coach. She has been a part of Uplift since it’s inception back in 2019 and is really excited to be given the opportunity to make new relationships, meet more of our Uplift families and work alongside Josie to develop our offer and find ways to expand and sustain all the good work Uplift does.
Josie Hambly
Early Years Family Support Lead
My passion is supporting and connecting families within the local community. I previously worked within Surestart centres and have personally witnessed how the loss of some of their services have impacted our local families.
I have several year’s experience as a Family Support Worker where my work has included signposting families to relevant support agencies, planning and delivering parenting support workshops and delivering targeted groups to parents and children including Baby Massage, Baby signing and Stay and Plays.
I love to observe and encourage the connection between a child and their care givers, this is at the forefront of all I do.
I want to ensure Uplift continues to be a nurturing, supportive Hub that local families can access to gain support and have a play, or just have a chill and a chat.
I look forward to welcoming you
Catherine Roughton
Trustee. Funding opportunities.
Born in Hungary. Canadian and British Citizen. B.A. Major in Fine Arts, Montreal Canada. P.G.C.E Exeter 1982. Diploma in further Professional Studies in Counselling from Bristol University. I taught in Canada, Jamaica as a volunteer with CUSO (Canadian University Service Overseas) and in England in Exeter and Bridgwater. I speak French Hungarian and English. As a teacher I was Head of Year , Head of Department and organised and in charge of student visits abroad.To put myself through University I worked for the YMCA in Canada as Business Manager of a summer camp for young adults for 3 summers. I worked for an architect finishing drawings, in a department store in sales and then credit office as I spoke languages. On graduating I was the form designer for Molson’s of Canada. I retired in 2007 and invited to join the Rotary Club of Tiverton. I have three grown up children (am recently widowed).
Erin Allgrove
Trustee.
Erin Allgrove is passionate about children’s literacy and supports schools, bookshops, literary events and arts festivals whenever she can, she loves meeting young readers and engaging in conversations about the books that they love.
Erin wrote Bosun Bob, The Salty Old Sea Dog and Bosun Bob And The Cat With No Name; these have quickly become popular with young readers, their parents and grandparents. Erin’s style is timeless and little nostalgic and her playful writing style really demonstrates her love of unusual words (and sea creatures).
Before becoming a writer Erin had a successful career in marketing and public relations working in a variety of sectors including film and TV, higher education and latterly healthcare, where she progressed to executive management and eventually ran a hospital, during and after the global pandemic.
Julie Lovett
Trustee. Safeguarding
Hello, I’m a trustee of Uplift and also volunteer at the family hub two days a week.
I have worked with children, young people and families in the mid Devon area for almost thirty years. Firstly, as a behaviour support specialist in Exeter and a Transition Support Worker then Family Support Practitioner at Tiverton High School.
For the past ten years I have practiced as a Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor, both in school and in private practice.
I currently live in East Devon with my husband, two dogs, chickens and tortoises. My children are both close by in Cullompton with my grandchildren.
I endeavour to continue using my experience to support the families of Mid Devon through Uplift.
Julie Lovett
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Charles Dowell
Trustee. Treasurer
Charles was born in Exeter, and after legal studies in London and Guilford returned to Exeter where he qualified as a Solicitor in 1978. Initially he handled civil and criminal cases appearing in courts and Tribunals all over Devon and beyond. His cases ranged from murder to disputes over commoners’ rights on Dartmoor. More recently his work has centred around property dealings, advising developers and private clients on the acquisition development and sale of both residential and commercial properties. He became Managing Partner of his firm with responsibility for the financial management of the business and its regulatory compliance.
He has always been involved with charities having been Secretary then Chair of the RNLI Branch in Exeter, as well as a Housing Society, and for many years was Treasurer of the Devon Philharmonic Orchestra in which he still plays the Bass Trombone. Other interests include sailing, bridge and tinkering with clocks.
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