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
Anne Bland – Chief Executive Officer
Anne Bland is the Chief Executive Officer of The Disability Resource Centre, leading the charity’s mission to champion disabled people and unpaid carers across Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, and beyond. With a background in social entrepreneurship, policy innovation, and values-driven leadership, Anne has worked across sectors to deliver community-led change and lasting social impact. She brings a bold vision to grow The Disability Resource Centre’s reach, income, and national influence while ensuring lived experience remains at the heart of its services. Anne is passionate about equity, accessible systems change, and building inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.
Chelsea Smith – Operation Manager
Chelsea has gained a lot of experience by working in several different departments at The Disability Resource Centre. A couple of years ago in her role as Community Engagement Officer she spread awareness about the huge number of ways the charity supports 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 now our charity’s Operations Manager and before that was the 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:
Trustees – Baerbel Dennis, Kay Taylor, Andrew Buckley, Sandra Brown and Bjarne Pederse
Chair - Jill Pick
Jill Pick: Chair of the Board of Trustees
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.
Sandra Brown: Acting Vice-Chair
Sandra Brown MA, Chartered FCIPD, has 30 years’ experience of HR management in the high-technology sector. She has worked as a visiting lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire Business School and Coventry University. A qualified coach, she is an active CIPD branch committee member, mentor and has volunteered for several charities for over 20 years. She is currently Chair of a local domestic abuse charity and has been a Trustee with DRC since 2015.
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.
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.