SPACE - Key Persons


Claire Love

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator
Jemma founded the Charity back in 2014 following her own experience of being a parent-carer. Having struggled to get the support her family needed and finding there were no local accessible play facilities Jemma was has been determined to make a change. Having grown the charity from the beginning Jemma took the role of Charity Manager in Claire joined the SPACE team as a our Families Projects Coordinator in January, however she was well known to SPACE as one of the charities founders back in 2014. Her primary role is to support the families who come to SPACE, including parents and siblings. Claire is a qualified Beauty Therapist and has previously worked in advocacy and advisory roles, developing and delivering training in the sector. Claire has a wealth of personal experience which makes her passionate about the role she plays at SPACE.

Helen Rainbird

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
Helen became a Trustee of SPACE in October 2018. After graduating from Loughborough University in 2003 with a 2(i) in Management Sciences, she worked in Sales and Marketing roles for 15 years on well known brands including Goodfella's, Typhoo, Morrisons and John West. She also achieved a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Postgraduate Diploma. Helen is currently a stay at home mum and has three young children. She uses her previous commercial, communications and branding experience to help SPACE to continue to grow and develop.

Jemma Gregory

Job Titles:
  • Charity Manager
2017. As well as endless passion and determination, Jemma has previously worked as a Mental health nurse to management level, set up peer support networks and support groups.

Jonathan Haigh - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Trustee
ent role as the Director of HR & OD at Muir Group Housing Association in 2018. As well as HR and People Management, Jonathan also has experience in health, safety and wellbeing, data protection and governance. Jonathan became involved with SPACE after learning more about the charity at the 2018 SPACE ball.

Kate Francis

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
She now works for a local autism and learning disability charity as a Project Coordinator. Kate has two young daughters. Her eldest has Global Development Delay, Sensory Processing Disorder and a speech disability. Kate became involved with SPACE after attending the play sessions with her daughter.

Katharine Harvey

Job Titles:
  • Secretary
  • Trustee
Jonathan graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a BA in Business Studies in 2004 before completing an MA in Human Resource Management at Northumbria University in 2005. Jonathan then spent 13 years working in various different HR and People Management related roles within the Oil and Gas sector before taking up his curr Katharine graduated from the University of Birmingham with a 2(i) in Law in 1995. She then went on to complete the LPC at the College of Law in Chester before qualifying as a solicitor in 1999. After working as a Defendant personal injury solicitor for 12 years Katharine returned to her home city of Chester. She is currently a stay at home Mum to her 2 young daughters, as well as working part time for the University of Chester Academies Trust. Katharine became involved with SPACE after getting to know Jemma when their children attended nursery together.

Louise Smith - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer
Louise has been Treasurer of SPACE since it was set up in November 2014. After gaining a 1st class honours degree in International Management and French at Manchester University, Louise qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the global accountancy firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2003. She worked within their audit practice for 8 years, managing the audits of large companies such as the Financial Times and MTV. Louise is currently a stay at home mum to three small children but uses her knowledge and experience gained whilst working as an audit manager to oversee the financial affairs of the charity.

Lucy Gilgrass

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator
Lucy joined SPACE In January 2020 as our Play Projects Coordinator. Lucy has worked in the Education sector for 8 years now, in a variety of different roles. She started out in Early Years before completing her Teacher Training and working as a Reception Teacher. Since then, she has worked in different nurseries as a Nursery Teacher, Deputy Manager, and Nursery SENCO. 'I feel really privileged to be able to join the SPACE Team as I think it is such a fantastic and much-needed charity within our community.'

Megan Shepherd

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator
Megan joined SPACE In January as our Play Projects Coordinator, covering a period of maternity leave.

Siobhan Williams

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
Siobhan studied at the University of Central Lancashire and went on to work for Royal Mail in a variety of admin, management and senior management positions over 21 years. She has experience in HR, Revenue, Audit, Safety, Customer and Quality roles within Royal Mail. She also holds the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. Siobhan has 2 young children, one of whom was born prematurely and has a neurological condition similar to cerebral palsy and Global Developmental Delay. They have been attending SPACE since it opened its doors in 2014 and Siobhan has been keen to be involved ever since as it is the only place that is fully inclusive for the whole family - including siblings. Kate graduated from Keele University in 2001 with a 2(i) in Human Resource Management, Sociology and Social Anthropology. She enjoyed an exciting career in the travel industry for 7 years before spending some time exploring abroad. On her return Kate began work as a Mentor and then as an Employment Officer for people with disabilities.