Meet the team
We are a team of dedicated volunteers and team members, all here to help.
We work hard every week to create the best services for disabled people, carers, families and professionals in Bedfordshire, Luton and Northamptonshire.
Meet the management team
Melanie Hawman – Chief Executive Officer
Melanie is the Chief Executive Officer and responsible for ensuring the vision and values of are lived and aligned with the purpose of The Disability Resource Centre. She also has to ensure that the charity remains competitive as a provider of services to disabled people, those with health conditions and increasingly the older local population. After a career working nationally in Welfare to Work, Melanie brings a wealth of experience and qualification in leadership and management in public, private and third sector organisations. As a person with lived experience in acquired disability she understands the need for personal and professional change and disability that may be invisible to others.
Clare Copleston – Operations Manager
Clare has a wealth of knowledge and experience working within the health and social care sector and as a qualified teacher.
She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by people disabilities and is passionate about making a positive impact on their lives.
Clare’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident in her commitment to promoting the highest standards of customer service and quality. At The Disability Resource Centre, Clare ensures that every interaction with service users is both meaningful and empowering, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
Chelsea Smith – Acting Self Directed Support Team Leader
Chelsea has gained a lot of experience by working in several different departments at The Disability Resource Centre. Most recently as Community Engagement Officer where she spread awareness about the huge number of ways the charity can support the local community. You can read all about Chelsea attending an awards evening where she accepted the Best Local Business Award for Houghton Regis on behalf of the charity. She is currently the Acting Self Directed Support Team Leader in the team that provides a wide range of services to help people to live independently at home, via Direct Payments and other funding. It is a way of empowering people to make their own choices and to have control over the support they receive.
Our Patron
We are very pleased that Andrew, Duke of Bedford, has been our patron for a number of years, and we are very grateful for his support.
Our Trustees are volunteers too
The Disability Resource Centre is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet six times a year. The majority of the Trustees have personal experience of living with a disability or caring for someone with a disability. They use their knowledge to advise the management team.
We are keen to welcome new Trustees to the Board. Please check our vacancy notice.
Our Board of Trustees comprises:
Chair - Gillian Ormston
Trustees – Gill Pick, Baerbel Dennis, Kay Taylor, Andrew Buckley, Sandra Brown, Evans Chelal and Bjarne Pederse
Gillian Ormston: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Previously Vice-Chair, Gillian has taken the role of Chair and will continue to drive the charity forward with a passion for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with the intention of widening community participation on the board. Gillian has been a supporter of The Disability Resource Centre for over 10 years, both working as a supplier of confidence building programmes and latterly as a Trustee of the charity. She brings a wealth of experience from public sector senior and strategic management roles ranging from the Ministry of Justice, Education, and Policing roles. Gillian is currently the Chief of Staff to the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner. Previously, Gillian spent 4 years with Hertfordshire Police as the Beds, Cambs and Herts Police Talent Manager which brings HR, leadership, skills development, project management and emotional intelligence skills to the board. Previously, she ran her own business, Intelligent Awakenings Ltd, in coaching and personal development which brings additional skills of business development, finance and commercial acumen.
Jill Pick: Vice-Chair
Jill is a retired social worker who has worked in the health and social care sectors, specialising in physical disability and sensory impairment. She has extensive experience with the local voluntary sector. Jill’s relationship with The Disability Resource Centre began in 1993 when she was appointed as the Development Officer. As The Disability Resource Centre’s first employee, she was responsible for setting up the organisation as a charity, finding premises, establishing partners and setting up its first services; the Disability Information and Equipment Advice services. She has been a trustee for many years and Chair since 2016.
Evans Chelal: Treasurer
Evans is a consultant in climate change and sustainability. He’s based in London, and he’s a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). He used to work as an auditor with KPMG and he holds an MBA from Cranfield University. Evans has been the treasurer and trustee of The Disability Resource Centre since November 2021. In his spare time, Evans enjoys reading and outdoor activities.
Baerbel Dennis: Trustee
Baerbel is a qualified FCCA MBA IFA and has worked for large quoted companies as Financial Controller and also as an auditor for over 10 years. During the MBA her thesis had a focus on marketing, research and development. She currently studying to become a qualified level 5 Reflexologist and was a carer for her husband for over two years.
Dr. Kay Taylor: Trustee
Kay lectured in human genetics at University College London until retiring due to ill health. Kay understands the issues facing The Disability Resource Centre’s service users due to her own long term health condition and disability. Kay lives in Bedford, and is Chair of Trustees at the Beds and Northants MS Therapy Centre.
Andrew Buckley: Trustee
Andrew is a practising solicitor in Bedford, who specialises in Employment Law, becoming a Partner in 2004. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates. Andrew is an enthusiastic sportsman and excels in Martial Arts. Andrew has been a Trustee for nearly three years.
Sandra Brown: Trustee
Bjarne Pedersen: Trustee
Bjarne is a passionate rights advocate and campaigner. He has broad experience in the charity world with a track record of achieving meaningful change through strategic leadership, resource mobilization and partnerships. When Bjarne is not enjoying time with his family and looking after his vegetable garden, he leads an international NGO with offices across Asia.
News:
Discover palliative care with Keech Hospice Care: Join our awareness and planning session
The Disability Resource Centre is delighted to be working in partnership with Keech Hospice Care. We will be delivering an end-of-life care advice and awareness session on Tuesday 26th March 2024.
Have your say on Luton Council’s adult social care travel assistance policy
Luton Council’s adult social care travel assistance policy consultation runs until Wednesday 27 March. Follow the link to the draft policy and complete an online survey…
You could be our charity’s next Trustee
We are recruiting new Trustees for our charity, to help us achieve even more in the coming years. Read full details in our new Trustee Pack which you can download today…
Our 30th anniversary: Highlights from our celebration event
On Wednesday 14th February, we celebrated The Disability Resource Centre’s 30th anniversary since our inauguration. We hosted an event at the Mayfield Centre for a celebration with free tea and cakes, and a visit from the Mayor, Liz Jones.
Celebrating our 30th anniversary: The Disability Resource Centre’s journey
As The Disability Resource Centre marks its 30th anniversary, we reflect on the remarkable progress and positive changes for disabled people over the past three decades…
Join our new diabetes support group, it’s free
Every Wednesday in Dunstable from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. Let’s unwrap the facts and myths (and the do’s and don’ts) about diabetes together in our welcoming and new support group in Dunstable…
Join our free care skills training
We’re once again offering free care skills training until March 2024. Work towards the Skills for Care Care Certificate standards and complete the training face to face, or online in your own time…
Last week of our popular Warm Hub – Wednesday 13th March in Dunstable
As the temperature drops, we understand the importance of creating a space where everyone can find respite from the cold. Our Winter Warm Hub goes beyond providing a warm refuge; it’s a place where members of our local community can gather, share stories, and enjoy the comfort of hot soup and drinks.
Breaking Barriers: The Introduction of British Sign Language as a GCSE and its transformative impact on inclusion
It has recently been announced by the government that, as of September 2025, British Sign Language (BSL) will be taught as a GCSE in England. Here at The Disability Resource Centre, we are thrilled by this news and fully support this significant step to equality.
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Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
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Ramadan Mubarak from everyone at The Disability Resource Centre
As Ramadan begins, we at The Disability Resource Centre extend our warmest wishes to all our service users observing this sacred time. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, widely revered as one of the most spiritual and blessed months for Muslims around the globe.
Empowering accessibility: Introducing our ‘Chat and Collect’ service for disability equipment
Our ‘Chat and Collect’ service is tailored to make shopping for mobility equipment and supportive aids easier for you. We understand that leaving the house can be particularly challenging for people with disabilities, which is why we’ve developed a personalised approach that allows you speak with our expert advisors before making the trip to see us.
Celebrating International Women’s Day: Inspiring inclusion at The Disability Resource Centre
On this International Women’s Day, The Disability Resource Centres supports the global theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ a call to action that resonates deeply within our charity. It’s a day to reflect on the progress made, call for changes, and celebrate the acts of courage and determination by women who have played extraordinary roles in the history of their communities.
Discover palliative care with Keech Hospice Care: Join our awareness and planning session
The Disability Resource Centre is delighted to be working in partnership with Keech Hospice Care. We will be delivering an end-of-life care advice and awareness session on Tuesday 26th March 2024.
Have your say on Luton Council’s adult social care travel assistance policy
Luton Council’s adult social care travel assistance policy consultation runs until Wednesday 27 March. Follow the link to the draft policy and complete an online survey…
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