How mASCot started
mASCot was started 12 years ago by a parent, Sam Bayley :
"As a parent of a child with an Autistic Spectrum Condition,
I wanted a place where parents and carers in Brighton and Hove could meet up together or online to support each other.
Having the coffee mornings and the online forum has made this possible,
watching mASCot grow and become such an amazing group with so many families involved
is brilliant to see."
-Sam Bayley
Team mASCot
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead
mASCot is a C.I.C (a non-profit making Community Interest Company) and each member of our Board of Directors is a parent of an Autistic child or young adult. mASCot receives some funding that is put towards office admin and managing projects, however all our Directors also give their time on a voluntary basis to help run mASCot. We all feel passionately about supporting fellow ASC families and providing activities and projects for our children.
Sam Bayley
Director
Sam is the founder of mASCot and her main role is supporting parents, whether it be school issues or to talk about the best strategies to use as a family.
Sam runs our drop in sessions at the Centre where parents can come in for 1-1 time to talk about anything related to their child's or families needs. She also runs workshops and courses for our members.
Mimi Banks
Director
Mimi is our projects manager and oversees all of our funding applications and has successfully secured lots of funding for mASCot.
Mimi's main interests are our Youth Projects and runs our Teen+ & Ten+ Clubs. Mimi works closely with families whose children are currently out of school and is working with the LA on providing provisions for these children.
Jo Brimson
Director
Jo is a trained Autism champion and is continually attending Autism training.
With Jo being a secondary school teacher for many years, she is also our education rep.
Jo's growing knowledge of the teaching and SEND within the education system is a great resource for our families and fellow mASCot Directors.
Becky Robinson
Director
Becky is our local Parent and Carer Rep and works closely with the Local Authority & CCG to improve services.
Becky is also volunteers for a national SEND law advisory charity and is a school Governor her main areas are EHCPs and is keen to raise awareness of ADHD, specific learning difficulties, a child or young person’s whole profile, early intervention and inclusion.
Jo Mathews
Director
Jo runs our wonderful Girls Group and has just started our new Sunday club and is very involved in the Teen+ Club and our youth projects.
With a background in social care she is a valid new member of the team and will be our go to person for all things relating to social care.
Jo is also working on bringing more talks and courses specialising on girls on the spectrum.
Laura Marrs
Director
Laura runs our Minecraft and Lego club as well as being very active in planning and organizing one of our first big events, Coming Home to Autism.
Laura also has a good knowledge of internet safety and is getting more training in this area.
Being keen on fitness, she has worked with a local gym to provide free or low cost sessions for our members.
Paula Donovan
Director
Paula champions mASCot taking information and knowledge of Autism to a wider audience.
She has given talks at the universities and works to help improve the understanding of Autism within the professionals who work with our children and families.
Paula has knowledge of the private school system and has previously been a NAS ambassador.
mASCot Members
Collective voice
mASCot is all about its members, who are included in all we do and help shape what support mASCot offers families. We are all parents of Autistic children/young adults, so we are all invested in mASCot being a inclusive, supportive place for our children and source of knowledge and support for families. The more members get involved, the more projects we can run.
"One day you will tell your story
of how you’ve overcome what you’re going through now,
and it will become someone else’s survival guide"
