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).
Angela Dawe
Trustee. Secretary. Safeguarding Lead
A highly qualified Social Worker with over two decades of experience dedicated to supporting families. I have worked for five local authorities in the Southwest. I gained valuable insight and experience with families whose children are neurodivergent whilst working with the charitable organisation Cerebra, based in Carmarthen.
My commitment to making a positive impact on families led me to Tiverton ten years ago, where I joined the Tiverton Children Centre for Save the Children. Having two children of my own, I fully grasp the significance of the first five formative years of a child's life. Over the years, I have been fortunate to contribute positively to the lives of numerous children and feel compelled to continue making a difference wherever possible.
Motivated by the outstanding ethos and community support provided by Uplift, I began volunteering, inspired by their vision. The exceptional work being done by Uplift resonated with me, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to further support their mission by becoming a Trustee. My hope is to continue making a positive difference in the lives of children within our local community, ensuring that Uplift's vision continues to flourish. As a Trustee with Uplift, I aim to bring my wealth of experience, empathy, and passion to contribute to the organisation's continued success.