Trustees
Communication Matters’ Trustees hold the responsibility for the general control and management of the charity’s administration, ensuring compliance with current charity and company laws, and agreeing upon the organisation’s strategic vision and plans.
The Board of Trustees appoints a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, but every Trustee carries legal responsibility.
We are a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, so Trustees must ensure we comply with current charity and company laws. We are the UK chapter of an international organisation, ISAAC – so the Trustees must also meet ISAAC’s own aims and objectives.
Trustees are not paid – it is a voluntary role – but they may claim related expenses for their work for us, such as travel costs. The following people joined the Board of Trustees from September 2025.
Members can find out more about becoming a trustee – login to our Members Area for details.
Debbie Breslin
I have had the privilege to work in the disability community for over 22 years, in particular the AAC/AT sector for the last 17 years, firstly as an Account Manager for Dynavox, then a Senior Account Manager for Tobii Dynavox.
As a trustee
“I am eager for the chance to continue uplifting and advancing the world of AAC, carrying forward my dedication to supporting individuals and communities beyond the scope of my current role.”
Katherine Broomfield
I’m a speech and language therapist and researcher with significant experience of working with and for people who have complex communication needs and their families and carers. I currently work across an NHS trust and a University carrying out research about AAC. I completed a PhD about the experiences of people who use AAC to develop our understanding of how AAC supports engagement in activities of daily life. I co-produce research with people who use AAC to address some of the questions, challenges, and curiosities that occur in AAC services, clinical practice, and AAC-user experiences.
As a trustee
“I bring clinical and academic experience to my role, particularly in respect of Research Matters where we are working to raise awareness of AAC research with AAC users, academics, clinicians, and other professionals.”
Claire Harrison
I’ve been a teacher for nearly thirty years with most of my career supporting children and young people with additional support needs. In 2017 I left the classroom to join the team at CALL Scotland as their Assistive Technology and Complex Needs teacher.
Since then I’ve had the privilege of working with a fantastic multi-disciplinary team, traveling across Scotland to help pupils, schools and local authorities access learning and communication through AAC and assistive technologies.
As a trustee
“I’m delighted to support the important work of Communication Matters and to contribute to raising awareness and opportunities for AAC users.”
Helen Hewson
I began using AAC when I was 4 years old and embraced so many opportunities since then: I am passionate about supporting younger AAC users to realise and achieve their full communication potential. I enjoy swimming, horse riding, and lots of other social activities. As a Trustee for Communication Matters, I am involved with and now run the AAC Focus Group with a little communication support from another Trustee. I am also involved with several other sub groups within the Board of Trustees. I have also worked with 1Voice as a role model and a trustee, organising National Residential Events, and with Birmingham City University’s Speech and Language Therapy Department to share my communication journey and experiences with the next generation of Speech and Language Therapists.
As a trustee
“I bring my voice as an AAC User to Communication Matters and am an enthusiastic supporter of our Annual International Conference for the way it brings so many of us together, to encourage and learn from each other.”
Sarah McPoland
I am an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with more than eleven years of paediatric experience. I am passionate about improving the outcomes for AAC users and adapting information to promote inclusion and equal opportunities. In my present role as an Advisory Speech and Language Therapist for CENMAC, I actively support education staff to create inclusive environments by modelling communication strategies and delivering targeted training. I also provide formal clinical supervision and mentorship to Specialist Speech and Language Therapists. Prior to qualifying, I supported individuals presenting with a diverse range of needs through a variety of voluntary roles. I also trained as a British Council Language Assistant, upskilling primary and secondary school students in their acquisition of English as a foreign language during two separate residencies in France.
As a trustee
“I bring my experience of collaborative working to the team.”
Jessica MacRae-Pemberton
I have worked in roles supporting AAC and AT for more than 12 years. My interest in language acquisition began during my language studies and has continued to grow throughout my career. I am forever both excited and thankful to work within an ever-advancing industry with a focus on giving more people the opportunity to show the world who they are through what they have to say. With 9 years working at Smartbox Assistive Technology in various roles, I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to the AAC field in new and meaningful ways beyond my day-to-day role. I am a passionate and dedicated AT specialist committed to promoting inclusion and opportunity for people who use AAC. I enjoy working with schools, charities and services to drive positive change, with communication as a priority.
As a trustee
“I am always looking to find new opportunities to support the creation of inclusive, communication-rich environments, where people with disabilities are empowered to achieve.”
Beth Moulam
I have a Master of Research in Social Policy, my dissertation completed in 2025 considered the extent policy supports the provision of (powered) AAC in England for children. I’m Patron of 1 Voice, sit on the NHS England Specialised Services AAC Group, and the International Communication Rights Alliance Committee. I represent CM on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology. I’m regularly asked to speak at events and provide training on a host of topics. I bring to the Board lived experience as a lifelong AAC user and advocate, drawing on my academic, research, and governance experiences. As a Paralympian I represented GB at Boccia in Tokyo 2020. In 2024 I was awarded an honorary doctorate by Manchester Metropolitan University and nominated by the Shaw Trust as the UK’s most influential grass roots advocate.
As a trustee
“I bring to the Board lived experience as a lifelong AAC user and advocate, drawing on my academic, research, and governance experiences.”
Saffron Murphy-Mann
I have been involved in AAC since 2015, working as a specialist AAC teacher. I have experience working with students of all ages in a variety of settings - mainstream, specialist and EOTAS. I also work on supported decision-making with students transitioning between settings. These days, I’m an AAC Consultant working nationwide in a one off or ongoing capacity, both independently, and for a number of settings. I am a founding member of AAC Exams Access Working Group, set up to enable AAC users to achieve fair and equal access to external qualifications and help parents, settings and exam boards to apply for and understand the impact of these access arrangements.
As a Trustee
Charlie Moran
As a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with the Barnsley Assistive Technology Team, AAC has been central to my career supporting individuals with complex communication needs. I serve as the Communication Access UK champion in my workplace, advocating for inclusive communication practices. My research journey began with a National Institute of Health Research Internship, exploring multimodal communication in AAC. I've since presented at national conferences, and supported the establishment of AAC user research groups including "Voice UP" at Barnsley Hospital. My research focuses on choice of AAC, considering how people choose what AAC to use and empowering individuals to choose their preferred communication methods, challenging approaches that prioritise technology over personal preference. I'm passionate about bridging clinical practice with evidence-based research.
As a trustee
“I support Research Matters where we strive to empower AAC users, both to participate and contribute to research. I think it’s crucial to ensure voices of AAC users are central to all research projects.”
Michelle Paton
I am a Speech and Language Therapist in the NHS, supporting children with additional support needs and their families in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. My secondments to the Scottish Centre of Technology for the Communication Impaired (SCTCI) led to a permanent post with the team in 2020. Since then my role has grown to assessing both paediatric and adult clients whole lives may be enhanced by having access to AAC.
As a Trustee
“I bring my insights into Scottish legislation for equipment provision and support for implementation of AAC, along with my care for AAC users, their families and the wider AAC team.”
Bob Sagoo
I’ve been in the AAC/AT industry for over 10 years, initially running my own business, iHelp Innovations, through to the position I hold now as UK & International Sales Manager for Pretorian Technologies. My son Harchie’s speech, gross and fine motor skills were impacted by viral encephalitis 5 five months old. He went on to embrace eye gaze AAC technology, mainstream school & college, and even presenting at Communication Matters’ Conference.
As a Trustee
I bring my experience as the parent of an AAC user to the Board. As a member of the wider AAC Community, I have been privileged to meet so many extraordinary people.
Andrea Sharples
I am a Clinical Director at ATtherapy, an independent speech and language therapy service. Our innovative ATmentor service won the Communication Matters Student Award in 2019. It is a privilege to provide a service led by people who use AAC themselves and to use that experience in the service we deliver. I have completed a National Institute of Health Research Internship and continue to develop my research skills in the AAC field.
As a trustee
“I am proud to be an advocate and champion for AAC users and their families”
Theresa Tanchak
I am a Speech and Language Therapist and Assistive Technology specialist with over 40 years’ experience in AAC.
I hold a Certificate in Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). I am a LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) Certified Professional through The Center for AAC and Autism. Additionally, I completed the California State University at Northridge Assistive Technology Certificate Program.
I have worked in a variety of settings over the years. These include an NHS England Specialist AAC Service, private industry, independent practice, university, hospital, and public school. I have presented at multiple international, national, and regional AT, SLT, AAC, and Education conferences and events.
Whilst a member of the United States Society of Augmentative and Alternative communication (USSAAC) chapter of ISAAC, I was actively involved in the development and training around disaster preparedness for people who use AAC.
As a trustee
“I am looking forward to contributing further to the AAC community through my role as a Communication Matters Trustee.”
Tina Voizey
I’m a special educator with over 30 years’ experience working with learners with complex disabilities, many of whom use AAC in all its forms. I’ve had a diverse career which has taken me from teaching in a classroom, to SEND Consultant for suppliers of AAC solutions, Widgit Software and Tobii Dynavox. My current role is Information and Resources Manager for Ace Centre. I am also AAC SIG lead for the British Assistive Technology Association and co-chair of a national AAC SIG.
As a Trustee
“I love raising awareness of our charity and supporting others in becoming a part of the vibrant and welcoming CM community.”
Staff
Our manager and administrator handle the day-to-day running of Communication Matters, including membership renewals, conference registration, event management, communications and book-keeping.
Emily Campbell
