Meet Our Team |
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South West Autism Support Services was set up in 2011 by Lisa McCullagh and Greg McCullagh. The directors, Lisa and Greg, have over 20 years’ experience in the field of Autism. They are parents of a young person diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. They have first-hand experience with the challenges of mainstream education.
Lisa has a BA Honours degree 1st Class in Childhood and Youth Studies (Open University) and a Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate in Autism from the University of Birmingham. In addition, she has attended numerous training workshops including P.E.C.S. (Picture Exchange Communication System), social stories and the use of visual prompts, sensory processing difficulties, managing anxiety and sexual understanding. Lisa has worked with young people on the spectrum in a variety of settings including education, social care and the local community. She provides training and advisory services to a range of professionals for the education and care sector.
Greg is an experienced and qualified teacher. He has a wealth of knowledge, skills and understanding in how anxiety presents in adolescent children on the spectrum. Greg is experienced in developing a young person’s individual interests to facilitate change and progress in their lives. Greg is currently commissioned to support young people who are experiencing emotional based school avoidance or access education on a part time basis.
Lisa has a BA Honours degree 1st Class in Childhood and Youth Studies (Open University) and a Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate in Autism from the University of Birmingham. In addition, she has attended numerous training workshops including P.E.C.S. (Picture Exchange Communication System), social stories and the use of visual prompts, sensory processing difficulties, managing anxiety and sexual understanding. Lisa has worked with young people on the spectrum in a variety of settings including education, social care and the local community. She provides training and advisory services to a range of professionals for the education and care sector.
Greg is an experienced and qualified teacher. He has a wealth of knowledge, skills and understanding in how anxiety presents in adolescent children on the spectrum. Greg is experienced in developing a young person’s individual interests to facilitate change and progress in their lives. Greg is currently commissioned to support young people who are experiencing emotional based school avoidance or access education on a part time basis.
LISA McCULLAGH – Senior Support Practitioner and Trainer –
My passion for supporting young people initially grew from the experiences of my son being ‘misunderstood’ in early childhood. Despite lived experience and studying Autism, the biggest learning curve is on a daily basis via the young people I support. I learn everyday! In my spare time I enjoy walking the South West coastal path with Frankie and Ruby. I also really enjoy gardening after purchasing a derelict site during lockdown.
My passion for supporting young people initially grew from the experiences of my son being ‘misunderstood’ in early childhood. Despite lived experience and studying Autism, the biggest learning curve is on a daily basis via the young people I support. I learn everyday! In my spare time I enjoy walking the South West coastal path with Frankie and Ruby. I also really enjoy gardening after purchasing a derelict site during lockdown.
GREG McCULLAGH – Teacher and Senior Support Practitioner –
I have supported young people on the autistic spectrum for over twenty years. I enjoy helping them achieve their goals and giving them the opportunity to try new activities and learn new skills. When tutoring, I specialise in building confidence in Maths and English. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs on Dartmoor and the coast, gardening and occasionally surfing and paddleboarding
I have supported young people on the autistic spectrum for over twenty years. I enjoy helping them achieve their goals and giving them the opportunity to try new activities and learn new skills. When tutoring, I specialise in building confidence in Maths and English. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs on Dartmoor and the coast, gardening and occasionally surfing and paddleboarding
MANDY WALLACE – Business Manager – I work behind the scenes at South West Autism in my role as Business Manager. I deal with all the enquiries, the day-to-day administration, referrals and the finances. I absolutely love my role, it’s always busy and no two days are the same! In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, we enjoy beach walks with our dog Chester and cooking together. I have two daughters, 18 and 15. My oldest daughter is autistic and has been diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and my youngest has Selective Mutism. My role at SWA means that I don’t work directly with families, but I certainly understand what it means to support a young person with autism and everything associated with it.
JOSH ARBURY - Support Practitioner
Before joining South West Autism, I worked in a Special Needs School for five years, ages ranging from 3 to 19 years old and have done private enabling for four years. I have grown up with special needs as my cousin has autism and a large part of my family have worked at the Donkey Sanctuary. I love working with children and young adults, helping them achieve their goals no matter how small the objective is and enjoy seeing the excitement when they have completed it. I enjoy a wide variety of things in my spare time such as watching my local rugby team, boxing, movies, gaming and drawing. I feel this helps me engage with the young people at South West Autism as we have a lot of similar hobbies and interests.
Before joining South West Autism, I worked in a Special Needs School for five years, ages ranging from 3 to 19 years old and have done private enabling for four years. I have grown up with special needs as my cousin has autism and a large part of my family have worked at the Donkey Sanctuary. I love working with children and young adults, helping them achieve their goals no matter how small the objective is and enjoy seeing the excitement when they have completed it. I enjoy a wide variety of things in my spare time such as watching my local rugby team, boxing, movies, gaming and drawing. I feel this helps me engage with the young people at South West Autism as we have a lot of similar hobbies and interests.
ERIN MILLER - Support Practitioner
I have two neurodiverse teenage kids and am an experienced enabler. I absolutely love the process of building trust with young people and supporting and discovering the unique ways they see the world. I try to keep playfulness and curiosity at the heart of everything I do. Outside of work I enjoy long walks, playing games and drawing with my family, reading and playing with my dog.
I have two neurodiverse teenage kids and am an experienced enabler. I absolutely love the process of building trust with young people and supporting and discovering the unique ways they see the world. I try to keep playfulness and curiosity at the heart of everything I do. Outside of work I enjoy long walks, playing games and drawing with my family, reading and playing with my dog.
Information on new team members coming soon!
CELIA GAFFNEY - Psychotherapist and Counsellor
MBACP (Accred): Qualified 2009 - Person centered approach. Talking therapies can help in many areas such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, phobias, addiction and abuse. Each of us is unique and deserves to be heard and supported when life feels overwhelming. Therapy can enable better communications and relationships by developing skills and strategies for our sense of well-being. Through exploring your needs you are enabled to discover a better sense of how to move forward and gain a more effective life. You are listened to in a safe non-judgemental space while questioning tough challenges at your own pace. The aim is to empower you to find different and healthier perspectives for a more fulfilling life.
MBACP (Accred): Qualified 2009 - Person centered approach. Talking therapies can help in many areas such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, phobias, addiction and abuse. Each of us is unique and deserves to be heard and supported when life feels overwhelming. Therapy can enable better communications and relationships by developing skills and strategies for our sense of well-being. Through exploring your needs you are enabled to discover a better sense of how to move forward and gain a more effective life. You are listened to in a safe non-judgemental space while questioning tough challenges at your own pace. The aim is to empower you to find different and healthier perspectives for a more fulfilling life.
LUCY COLCOMBE – Speech and Language Therapist Lucy Colcombe is an associated therapist of South West Autism. Lucy’s company provides therapy services and products to anyone who requires an exceptional level of provision to overcome communication barriers. Lucy has specialist knowledge and experience in communication development, difficulties and disorders. Treatment covers speech and language delay and disorders, stroke, neurological disorders, dementia, autistic spectrum disorder and selective mutism. To see the full range of treatments covered visit www.a-therapist.com
FRANKIE AND RUBY … possibly our two most important members of the team! They work with many of the young people that we support. They have a soothing and calming influence and are very friendly companions. They instinctively know if a young person is upset or needs their attention. They have a positive impact on our young people’s ability to cope, regulate emotions and communicate. They are a great boost to confidence and self-esteem.
