Membership and Governance

The Pod started as a community group in 2013 and became a CIO – Registered Charity in March 2015.

An annual parent forum is held for families (members) to find out about the work we do, members are able to provide feedback, review policy and consider the future direction of the charity at this event, but also through other opportunities during the year.

Trustees

Trustees meet quarterly.  Depending on their area of responsibility additional meetings take place between trustees and the Charity Manager at regular intervals.

We have amazing trustees who are all passionate about The Pod and ensuring its success. The trustees all bring to the table a different set of skills and experience that ensures the Pod is as strong as it can possibly be.

We are fortunate to still have a founding parent trustee in addition to Professional Trustees with expertise in Charity Governance, Finance and HR.  All our Trustees are local and understand the area and its characteristics well.

Moira Spence – Chair of Trustees     

HI I’m Moira. I am the current chair of the trustee board for The Pod , I was elected in 2022.

Professionally , I work as a certified coach and Enneagram trainer. My background is health, firstly as a nurse and midwife and then in senior hospital management.

After many years of living outside the UK I moved to Frome with my son in 2020. I had the good fortune to find out about Pod Plus very soon after arriving here.

Attending Pod Plus allowed my son to feel engaged, involved and accepted.

All the Pod services offer crucial, life enhancing contact for people with additional needs. They offer spaces of belonging and acceptance, alongside skills development and fun. 

It is a privilege to be supporting this important work which is carried out by our staff and volunteers. 

Sarah Drake – Treasurer

I am a self-employed bookkeeper who has always loved numbers! I have been treasurer of The Pod since 2014. I have 2 sons, the youngest has Autism and associated learning difficulties, he is in his final year at a special school. I run the Frome Autistic Support Team (FAST) a local support group which has been running for more than 15 years and alongside being treasurer, I organise day trips for families that belong to the group during the school holidays. I was on a steering group to enable a new free school for children with autism and social and communication difficulties to be built in the Mendip area. I am proud of my role with The Pod and am excited for what the future holds for this wonderful charity.

Anni Tuffnell       

My professional background is in Human Resources and personal coaching using Applied NLP and with the specialism of coaching those on the Autistic Spectrum.  I have three great nephews who are Autistic which supported my eligibility to be a Trustee. I was honored to be approached and have held this position for nearly two years. I am very committed to being of as much help and support as I can be to The Pod and very much enjoy the hands on involvement supporting all the activities as well as the formal running of the Charity.

Zeta O’Gorman

Zeta is a skilled practitioner with a wealth of knowledge in support for people with additional needs. She juggles her commitment to The Pod with caring for her 3 lovely children. Zeta brings energy and experience to our trustee board.

Deb Killah

Hi I am Deb and I am Pod’s newest trustee to join the board.

I have lived in Frome for over 30 years and have worked as practitioner in local schools supporting with children who have additional needs. I hope to be able to use this and my community links to offer the charity help in furthering its connections and the communities understanding of what the Pod offers the children, young people and families we support.

This is an exiting opportunity and I am looking forward to helping the charity grow and evolve.