Meet Our Team
Appeer was set up by a group of autistic and neurodivergent women who had lived and professional experience of autism. We also work with a range of professionals including psychologists, school staff, organisations supporting neurodiversity and other autistic and neurodivergent women in advisory and operational capacities in order to maximise the benefit of their support.
Due to the diverse and extensive lived and professional experience of Appeer Community Interest Company’s staff team and our close connections with the community we support, Appeer are well positioned to pinpoint the unique needs of autistic girls, autistic women and their families.
Our Strategic Team
Annaliese Boucher
CEO
Designated Data Protection Offer
Designated Health and Safety Officer
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Annaliese brings over a decade of CEO-level experience leading programmes for neurodivergent children and young people, alongside 20 years of expertise in children’s services and education. She previously founded and served as CEO of a non-profit providing enrichment, mentorship, and family advocacy for young people aged 5–25.
Annaliese has direct lived experience as both a parent-carer and a neurodivergent woman, which fuels her commitment to lasting, social and systemic change. She is a qualified trainer and recognised expert in inclusion, ADHD, Autism, and SEND provision, having worked with schools, local authorities, and families to drive better outcomes and equitable support. She has also contributed to policy and research, including parliamentary reports and cross-party initiatives, amplifying neurodivergent voices at a systemic level.
Her CEO-level leadership is strategic, outcomes-focused, and equity-driven, empowering teams to deliver meaningful, lasting impact for children, families, and communities.
Cathryn Jagger
Head of Programmes and Communications
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Following a successful 20 year career in sales and marketing, and lived experience parenting an autistic daughter, Cathryn started her journey with Appeer in 2019 as a founding director. She spent over 5 years on the board alongside her operational role leading the Parent Carer Programme and Engagement across the organisation. She now oversees our Programmes and Communications including admissions, programme development and marketing.
Our Managers
Nicki
Social Programme Manager
First Aider
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Nicki has extensive experience supporting young people with additional needs at both specialist schools and respite centres.
Kris
Alternative Provision Manager
Mental Health First Aider; Paediatrics and Workplace First Aider
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Kris has over 25 years experience working with children. She's taught everything from Cookery to Forest school. Kris is also a school governor of an ASD Specific school.
Lindsay Prior
Safeguarding and Compliance Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Following a successful career in the Police and volunteering as Brownie leader, Lindsay joins us with a wealth of knowledge and is best placed to lead on our compliance and safeguarding.
Juliya Hayley
Finance Manager
Our Operations Team
Claire Livingston
Programme Administrator
Claire oversees all our Programme administration including bookings.
Sarah Nolan
Operations Administrator
Sarah oversees all our organisational administration.
Kira
Community and Fundraising Officer
Kira has lived experience of parenting neurodivergent children. As a detail focused ex civil servant Kira is a great asset to our Operations Team
Our Facilitators
Natalie
Monthly Women's Group Lead and Youth Facilitator
Mental Health First Aider
Natalie leads our Young Women's Group and also facilitates at our Monthly Groups. She is also a class teacher at a primary school. She has lived experience of autism.
Michelle
Youth Facilitator
Michelle has over 20 years of experience of supporting autistic young people within schools. Michelle works at our Monthly and Weekday Groups.
Lindsey
Youth Facilitator
Lindsey has extensive experience working with children. She has a passion for musical theatre. Lindsey works at both our Weekday and Monthly Groups.
Susanne
Youth and Women's Group Facilitator
Mental Health First Aider
Susanne works at our Alternative Provision, Monthly Teen Group and Monthly Young Women's Group
Jessica
Youth Facilitator
Jess has extensive experience supporting children and young adults in education and Riding for the Disabled. Jess works at both our Monthly and Weekday Groups.
Deborah
Youth Facilitator
Deborah has extensive experience supporting children and young adults in special educational settings. Deborah works at our Weekday Alternative Provision.
Caitlin
Neurodiversity Mentor & Youth Facilitator
Caitlin works at our Monthly Girls and Monthly Teen Groups often leading Chill and Chat. She also supports our Online Sessions. She is a graduate of our Work Experience Programme.
Grace
Neurodiversity Online Mentor
Grace helps Caitlin facilitate our Minecraft Sessions.
Heather
Youth Facilitator
Heather has been a Rainbows leader for many years so is perfectly placed to support our younger Girls.
Jacqui
Youth Facilitator
Jacqui joins us after a long career as a paediatric nurse.
Jackie
Parent/Carer Facilitator
Jackie has extensive experience supporting adults with caring roles including at Action for Carers.
Sally
Parent/Carer Facilitator & LGBTQ+ Ally
Sally facilitates our Parent/Carer Sessions. Sally has lived experience and volunteers for the National Autistic Society.
Our Directors
Jo Dilworth
Chair of the Board, Founder & Safeguarding Director
Jo founded Appeer in 2019 to create a positive peer-based community for autistic girls and women and those round them. She has lived and professional experience of neurodivergence and is passionate about ensuring autistic girls and women are able to access appropriate group-based support to help them connect, understand themselves and thrive. Jo is a mentor, teacher and SEND specialist who has worked with schools and educational charities for over 25 years.
Ross Dilworth
Chair of the Finance Committee
Ross is a finance specialist with extensive experience of strategically supporting charities.
Jo Du Preez
Safeguarding Director
Jo is an accredited autistic psychotherapist and supervisor with over a decade’s experience in clinical leadership and therapeutic education. She specialises in working with trauma recovery and affirmative neurodivergent wellbeing.
Tamsin O'Luanaigh
Chair of the People & Culture Committee
With over 25 years of experience in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development, Tamsin is passionate about ensuring neurodivergent young people and adults have equal access to opportunities and utilises her extensive professional experience, including as an employer of neurodivergent adults, to benefit the Appeer community.
Yas Makin
Chair of the Compliance & Governance Committee
Yas has worked in local government for ten years. She has experience in strategy development and working with local community interest companies, charities and local community groups.
