Our History
Why we exist
Spring into Action was set up by Lucy Hamlin, Rachael McHugh and Dawn Vickers after they recognised there were limited opportunities for young people with learning disabilities to take a meaningful and active role in society. The options on leaving school were college, then onto day centres. Lucy and Rachael worked for a youth group for young people up to age 25 with SEN and created opportunities for people to use their abilities, rather than be held back by any disability.
We have provided a range of opportunities through funded projects, where we have always given people the opportunity to do more, through volunteering and supporting them to make positive choices in other areas.
We have grown organically and are inclusive from our board of directors. When Rachael stepped down in 2017, we reviewed our values and recruited Adam and Pip who started their journey with us as participants, to really drive a better understanding of the issues people face, to our volunteers.
During the pandemic, in 2020 we wanted to build our board further and identified skills gaps, then recruited three new board members, Sam, Sheralee and Paul. We are always reviewing and developing in order to provide the best experience for everyone that comes into contact with us.
Spring into Action was set up by Lucy Hamlin, Rachael McHugh and Dawn Vickers after they recognised there were limited opportunities for young people with learning disabilities to take a meaningful and active role in society. The options on leaving school were college, then onto day centres. Lucy and Rachael worked for a youth group for young people up to age 25 with SEN and created opportunities for people to use their abilities, rather than be held back by any disability.
We have provided a range of opportunities through funded projects, where we have always given people the opportunity to do more, through volunteering and supporting them to make positive choices in other areas.
We have grown organically and are inclusive from our board of directors. When Rachael stepped down in 2017, we reviewed our values and recruited Adam and Pip who started their journey with us as participants, to really drive a better understanding of the issues people face, to our volunteers.
During the pandemic, in 2020 we wanted to build our board further and identified skills gaps, then recruited three new board members, Sam, Sheralee and Paul. We are always reviewing and developing in order to provide the best experience for everyone that comes into contact with us.
Our Leadership Team
Lucy Hamlin, Managing Director
Lucy has experience working in the private and voluntary sectors and drives the Spring into Action team forward. She is passionate about providing meaningful activities for people with learning disabilities to excel. Lucy works from top to bottom, managing project's delivering work and developing the organisation. She is Chair of Govenors at a local primary school and is also director of Selnet
Lucy has experience working in the private and voluntary sectors and drives the Spring into Action team forward. She is passionate about providing meaningful activities for people with learning disabilities to excel. Lucy works from top to bottom, managing project's delivering work and developing the organisation. She is Chair of Govenors at a local primary school and is also director of Selnet
Dawn Vickers, Director
Dawn has worked in marketing, PR and business development in both the private and public sectors and strategic management in adult education. She is a prolific networker, with loads of creative flair and energy, with particular strength in linking partners together to benefit service users. Dawn is also a singer in local bands.
Dawn has worked in marketing, PR and business development in both the private and public sectors and strategic management in adult education. She is a prolific networker, with loads of creative flair and energy, with particular strength in linking partners together to benefit service users. Dawn is also a singer in local bands.
Adam Hartley, Happiness Director
Adam began his time with Spring into Action as a participant on a healthy lifestyles project in 2013 and in 2017 became a director. He is keen to help develop the organisation and carries out some work with the help of his PA. Adam loves holidays and is often jetting off to Benidorm with his organisation, Adams Arc.
Adam began his time with Spring into Action as a participant on a healthy lifestyles project in 2013 and in 2017 became a director. He is keen to help develop the organisation and carries out some work with the help of his PA. Adam loves holidays and is often jetting off to Benidorm with his organisation, Adams Arc.
Pip Brodest, Director
Pip has been involved with Spring into Action as a participant since 2013. He is committed to everything that he attends and as a result, gained a Level 1 Sports Volunteer qualification. He is a key member of our training team. In his spare time Pip can be found appearing in local plays with his drama groups.
Pip has been involved with Spring into Action as a participant since 2013. He is committed to everything that he attends and as a result, gained a Level 1 Sports Volunteer qualification. He is a key member of our training team. In his spare time Pip can be found appearing in local plays with his drama groups.
Paul Topping, Director
Paul is a recent addition to the Spring Into Action team and is keen to get involved and assist in the continuing development of the organisation. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and works as Head of Finance and Operations for an SME in the private sector. Paul has a wealth of experience in senior financial leadership positions gained in a variety of businesses at home and overseas.
Paul is a recent addition to the Spring Into Action team and is keen to get involved and assist in the continuing development of the organisation. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and works as Head of Finance and Operations for an SME in the private sector. Paul has a wealth of experience in senior financial leadership positions gained in a variety of businesses at home and overseas.
Sheralee Turner-Birchall, Director
Sheralee is an experienced leader, having worked in a variety of leadership positions within the public and voluntary sectors including roles as Chief Executive, Operations Manager, Youth and Community Development Manager, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Trainer and Assessor. She has personally benefited from undertaking voluntary roles in a wide range of settings. Sheralee is married with 2 grown up children, 7 grandchildren, a horse and dog.
Sheralee is an experienced leader, having worked in a variety of leadership positions within the public and voluntary sectors including roles as Chief Executive, Operations Manager, Youth and Community Development Manager, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Trainer and Assessor. She has personally benefited from undertaking voluntary roles in a wide range of settings. Sheralee is married with 2 grown up children, 7 grandchildren, a horse and dog.
Sam Leonard, Director
Sam has worked in social care all of her career working with people with learning disabilities and autism in a number of roles including supported living, self advocacy and strategic commissioning. She is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and has a positive outlook on life. She is also a Director of her own company providing support for people with autism. She lives in East Lancashire, is married, has a son and a dog.
Sam has worked in social care all of her career working with people with learning disabilities and autism in a number of roles including supported living, self advocacy and strategic commissioning. She is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and has a positive outlook on life. She is also a Director of her own company providing support for people with autism. She lives in East Lancashire, is married, has a son and a dog.
