Simone Lakmaker is the founder of Speaking Out Forum. Simone was the Senior Adjudicator for Rotary International's Youth Speaks and has a licentiate qualification as a public speaking consultant/lecturer from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSM) in the city of London (of which she is also a Freeman). She worked as a consultant f
Simone Lakmaker is the founder of Speaking Out Forum. Simone was the Senior Adjudicator for Rotary International's Youth Speaks and has a licentiate qualification as a public speaking consultant/lecturer from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (LGSM) in the city of London (of which she is also a Freeman). She worked as a consultant for several companies and ran a private practice for adults and young people. She was senior adjudicator for the Rotary internationals competition 'Youth Speaks'.
Sue Goldman has previously held the position of a parent governor at a Special Educational Needs College for students from 16-25 years old and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Sue has also worked with young adults with learning difficulties in the Community for
many years. As the mother of a young man with Autism, Sue feels pass
Sue Goldman has previously held the position of a parent governor at a Special Educational Needs College for students from 16-25 years old and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Sue has also worked with young adults with learning difficulties in the Community for
many years. As the mother of a young man with Autism, Sue feels passionate about ensuring people with learning difficulties have the opportunity to express themselves in a positive and confident way.
Sue is delighted to be a part of such a wonderful organisation and committed to helping the Speaking Out Forum achieve its vision and values.
Jessica Samuels became a trustee for the Speaking out Forum in 2022. She is a trainee Counselling Psychologist whose training focuses on the importance of advocating for social justice for all individuals. Jessica has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MSc in psychological wellbeing in clinical practice. Jessica has been involve
Jessica Samuels became a trustee for the Speaking out Forum in 2022. She is a trainee Counselling Psychologist whose training focuses on the importance of advocating for social justice for all individuals. Jessica has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MSc in psychological wellbeing in clinical practice. Jessica has been involved with a range of charities over the last 10 years, supporting individuals who are neurodiverse and who have mental health difficulties. She loves supporting people to reach their unique and individual potential. Jessica has a range of experience working with charity committees and helping charities to grow towards their vision.
Noel Fagan worked for over 40 years as a nurse for those with a learning disability, primarily with children and their families. He worked in both care and day care settings as well as part of an integrated learning disability community team. Throughout his practice career, Noel always had a strong focus on supporting young people to dev
Noel Fagan worked for over 40 years as a nurse for those with a learning disability, primarily with children and their families. He worked in both care and day care settings as well as part of an integrated learning disability community team. Throughout his practice career, Noel always had a strong focus on supporting young people to develop their independence and skills to enable them to live valued and fulfilled lives. As his career progressed, Noel moved into nurse education and developed and delivered the first Learning Disability Nursing programme that was community based rather than in an institution, He lectured at both Manchester and Salford Universities and developed and delivered a learning disability programme that integrated both the Nursing and Social Work knowledge and skills needed to support people with a learning disability.
Since his retirement, Noel has continued to work part time with adults with a learning disability, with a particular focus on writing the life stories of people, many of whom spent much of their lives in institutional settings. He is also currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing for Children and Adults with a learning disability.
Michael Kayser is the current Speaking Out Forum treasurer as well as CEO of a military charity and a trustee of a family charity. He has held board positions, as Finance Director, in a number of large quoted and unquoted international companies, including Guinness, Laporte, Amey, Doncasters, Lloyds Register and Premium Aircraft Interiors Group.
Toby Marlow became a trustee for the Speaking Out Forum in 2022. Toby attended the University of Cambridge studying English, and has since gone onto work professionally as a writer, performer and musician, most notably as the co-writer of the Tony Award winning musical ‘SIX’. Toby’s work often focuses on representing, giving space to, and
Toby Marlow became a trustee for the Speaking Out Forum in 2022. Toby attended the University of Cambridge studying English, and has since gone onto work professionally as a writer, performer and musician, most notably as the co-writer of the Tony Award winning musical ‘SIX’. Toby’s work often focuses on representing, giving space to, and amplifying the voices of those who are so often not heard in the mainstream, and is therefore so grateful and excited to be a trustee for a charity who’s work aims to do exactly that. Toby was also very grateful to have been asked to write the music and lyrics for the charity’s original anthem, ‘Every Voice’, that includes quote from multiple Speaking Out participants integrated throughout the song.
Jemma Samuels joined the board of trustees because the vision and aims of the Speaking Out Forum align with her own beliefs and morals. Jemma is currently completing a fully-funded PhD as a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) . Jemma has an undergraduate an
Jemma Samuels joined the board of trustees because the vision and aims of the Speaking Out Forum align with her own beliefs and morals. Jemma is currently completing a fully-funded PhD as a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) . Jemma has an undergraduate and masters degree in History, specialising in deaf history. Her research aims to bring forward the lived experiences of individuals and groups who have not been given a voice within the historical narrative. She has been involved with various charities since a young age, hoping to promote inclusivity, equality, and self-advocacy. Jemma is also Level 3 British Sign Language.
Rebecca Blahuta is a speech and language therapist who works with young people with a range of complex needs. She has a keen interest on the impact that anxiety has on communication and endeavours to develop self-esteem and confidence in those she works with. Rebecca’s work also involves the use of augmentative and alternative communicati
Rebecca Blahuta is a speech and language therapist who works with young people with a range of complex needs. She has a keen interest on the impact that anxiety has on communication and endeavours to develop self-esteem and confidence in those she works with. Rebecca’s work also involves the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) which are strategies and tools that support or replace spoken language, helping individuals with learning differences to find their voice. Rebecca has an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy and is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.
Maria Stripling consults on Speaking Out Forum's strategic operations. Maria’s career has included 25 years as a senior professional with KPMG, most recently as a Director of Strategy and Operations for a global part of the business. Maria’s interests and experience extend to bringing arts and culture to the local community as well as eve
Maria Stripling consults on Speaking Out Forum's strategic operations. Maria’s career has included 25 years as a senior professional with KPMG, most recently as a Director of Strategy and Operations for a global part of the business. Maria’s interests and experience extend to bringing arts and culture to the local community as well as event creation and delivery. She has founded, and chaired, an arts festival in South Manchester for the last 15 years and is involved in a range of community and voluntary projects.
Weronika Roznowska spearheads Speaking out Forum’s social media and administrative strategy, having joined the organisation in 2023. Weronika has a background in psychology, having completed a Psychology Msci at the University of Nottingham, with a focus on developmental psychology. Weronika has worked across the charity sector for the pa
Weronika Roznowska spearheads Speaking out Forum’s social media and administrative strategy, having joined the organisation in 2023. Weronika has a background in psychology, having completed a Psychology Msci at the University of Nottingham, with a focus on developmental psychology. Weronika has worked across the charity sector for the past 4 years, advocating for individuals with mental health difficulties, neurodiversity and special needs, and those at economic and social disadvantage. Weronika’s passion in life lies in supporting charities to help those most at need in our society.
Speaking out Forum is delighted to welcome the ex vice-chancellor of Buckingham, Sir Anthony Seldon as Patron.
Sir Anthony Seldon is one of Britain's leading contemporary historians, educationalists, commentators and political authors.
Sir Anthony was a transformative head for 20 years, first of Brighton College and following this, Wellington College. He is author or editor of over 40 books on contemporary history.
Sir Anthony is co-founder of Action for Happiness, honorary historical advisor to 10 Downing Street, a member of the Government's First World War Culture Committee. He was chair of the Comment Awards, is a director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the President of IPEN (International Positive Education Network), Chair of National Archives Trust and Patron on the board of several charities.
Sonal has been supporting the charity as an advisor leveraging the wealth of Human Resources and Organisational and People Development experience gained from international private organisations.
As well as holding positions in-house to drive strategic change, she has also supported many organisations through her freelance work as an independent facilitator and personal development coach.
This extensive insight has helped Sonal appreciate different industry sectors, cultures and diverse backgrounds. Sonal’s goal has always been to enthuse individuals to achieve their objectives however big or small.
Her style has been described as engaging, open, positive, pragmatic and thought provoking making her an ideal collaborator to bounce ideas off.