Joanne Axton

• Jo has worked in the social care sector for 20 years working her way up from Support Worker to Managing Director of a Care Consultation Company.
• Jo has a background of working with Children with LD, Mental Health, Autism and complex needs including epilepsy.
• Throughout Jo’s years of working in the industry she has successfully changed services from closure to become compliant in CQC in all areas and has made them more financially viable.
• Jo is driven in her role by the people we support and aims at all times to get the best out of the Care Teams in order to ensure that the residents receive the very best care, encouragement and support we can offer.
• A member of the Meath Senior Leadership Team.

Joanne Axton
T: 01483 415095
M:

Tania Cantoni

• Tania was a senior Ladies wear buyer for Marks and Spencer for eighteen years but has spent the last fifteen years working in fundraising and marketing.
• Fundraised and project managed two capital projects at St Peter’s Catholic School in Guildford, namely a £5m Sixth Form Centre and £3m Theatre.
• Tania then moved into the charity sector as Head of Fundraising & Communications for a charity supporting children and young people with disabilities achieving record breaking income, as well as successfully fundraising and project managing an appeal for a new sensory suite for the charity.
• Tania is now responsible for the cross curricular running of the fundraising and marketing functions at The Meath Epilepsy Charity, leading the team forward at a time of exciting development and growth for the charity.
• A member of the Meath Senior Leadership Team.

Tania Cantoni – MinstF
T: 01483 411071
E: taniac@meath.org.uk

Michelle Plumb

• Michelle has worked in social care for over 20 years and has  been at The Meath for 22 years.
• Having started as  a support worker,  Michelle has been instrumental in developing the excellent Training Programme at The Meath.
• Michelle is a QCF assessor and IQA  (Internal Quality Assurer) She is competent in  assessing House Managers and other staff and is now responsible for Quality Audit, Training and Compliance which is her area of expertise.
• A member of the Meath Senior Leadership Team.

Michelle Plumb
T: 01483 420436

Helen Osborne

• Helen started her working life with the Co-operative Insurance Society and worked there for 9 years before leaving to raise a family.
• During the time spent not working Helen studied and completed a BSC (hons) degree in Health Studies at Chichester University.
• Prior to joining the Meath, Helen worked for the Social Services department of Worcestershire County Council. Her role was to provide admin support with contracts for organisations offering voluntary and support services in the community.
• Helen joined the Meath in 2000 and became Finance Manager in 2004, stepping down in 2016 to take reduced working hours.
• In January 2020 Helen returned to the role as Head of Finance.
• A member of the Meath Senior Leadership Team.

Helen Osborne
T: 01483 415095
E: heleno@meath.org.uk

Epilepsy and Health Liaison Nurse Annie P. looks after the complex epilepsy review and management of all residents at the Meath. Services include:

• Ongoing epilepsy reviews with each resident
• Epilepsy care planning and rescue protocols
• Epilepsy assessment and report writing for social and medical reviews
• Liaison and reports for secondary/tertiary care, Neurologist/Epileptology professionals across the country
• Clinical teaching and training for staff and interested parties, both in Epilepsy
  Care and Emergency Seizure Management

Health Care Coordinator, Annie M., has a pivotal role ensuring each resident has access to all the medical services they require. She works closely with Meath health professionals and the residents own GP. Liaising with families, personal care staff and outside agencies (e.g. Chiropodist Clare Newby, Learning Disability nurses, local hospitals, Dental service, Optician, Psychiatrist and speech and language team) to ensure that everyone is working together to provide the very best care possible.
Annie M. is supported in this role by Health and epilepsy Liaison Nurse Annie P.
Services include:

• Twice-weekly GP Clinic
• Epilepsy care planning and rescue protocols
• Medication management and training
• Health care advice / promotion
• Open door service / pastoral care
• Ensuring close links with local Neurology and other specialist hospital services

Our Physiotherapy Team comprises Neuro-Physiotherapist, Jojo Newman, and and Therapy Assistant, Robbie Dent. Together, they work closely with our Healthcare Team and care staff with the aim of ensuring that each individual reaches their full physical potential. Their emphasis is on a holistic approach as well as education.
Individuals with neurological problems and epilepsy often need ongoing therapy, which may be provided in the form of:

• 1:1 assessment and treatment
• Hydrotheraphy
• Home exercise and stretches
• 24-hour postural management
• Specific exercise plans in the Meath Gym
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Splinting
• Orthotics
• Manual Handling advice

Everyone will have a full assessment and a treatment plan in place to support ongoing physical wellbeing. The Physiotherapy team works closely with outside agencies, including wheelchair services, special seating, Orthotics, Orthopaedic and Neurology services, Speech and Language service and splinting support through hospital Occupational Therapy.

As an integral part of our Health Care Team, Occupational Therapist Sybella W., supported by experienced Therapy Assistants, works with interested individuals and groups across the Meath to ensure that everyone is encouraged towards reaching their own individual potential.
Sybella helps residents and those who support them to develop person-centred therapeutic aims and objectives that are realistic and achievable. Having on-site Occupational Therapy ensures a fast response to referral plus specific clinical knowledge.

Services include:

• Activity of Daily Living Assessment
• Environmental Assessment
• Motivational goals and understanding personal volition
• Engagement in purposeful occupation
• The planning and management of daily routines
• Supporting physical and psychological needs in everyday life
• Regular groups held with therapeutic and educational purpose