Our Directors

 

Bernadette Hurley (BA Hons) Humanities with Religion & QTS.

Job Title: Founder & Executive Director at Moss-Rose Cottage.

Please tell us about the work you are doing at the moment.

At present I spend my days ensuring that Moss-Rose Cottage is compliant with the highest of standards regarding provision, health & safety, appropriate insurance cover and working on the practical schemes that will guide individuals whilst on their journey with us.

When I’m not doing that, I am making contact with other parties that we will be partnering with. These range from other Community Interest Companies, to Universities, Health Boards and supporting bodies such as Race Equality Wales and Glamorgan Voluntary Council.

Another important part of my work is building up our client base by liaising with local Brain Injury Teams and Case Managers. This ensures that our provision continues to be relevant and reaches the people most in need of our services. The rest of my time is spent coordinating our fabulous team of advisors, overseeing any building works and with a team of girls called ‘The Moss Roses’ cleaning the property too.

What skills you are looking forward to sharing with us at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I think I am most looking forward to sharing the skill of instilling self-belief in others. As a High School Teacher and Chaplain, before I imparted any knowledge, I told every child that they were ‘precious and gorgeous’ just the way they were. Although I will no longer be teaching, I recognize that one of the most important things that people need to hear as adults is the same; We all need to recognize our worth, then feel valued and appreciated. A natural progression of this selfbelief will be improved self-confidence, self-esteem and contentment. This to me is more important than learning any skill and partaking in any other activity or experience. In fact, I would suggest that without these beliefs, you are far less likely to try new things as you may have a preconceived idea that you can’t do something before you have even tried it.

Why did you agree to be a director at Moss-Rose Cottage?

As the founder of Moss-Rose I naturally became a director, but I was determined to surround myself with other directors who I respected personally and professionally to ensure that the project is as successful as possible.

What are you most pleased to hear will be going on at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I am most excited to know that we will be creating a space where people can come together and make connections according to their interests and not just be grouped with people of a similar ability or age. I am also really looking forward to helping those in need in our community with practical and friendly support too.

What do you hope we will achieve at Moss-Rose Cottage in the long term?

In the long term, I would like to think that other communities can benefit from the work that we are doing and replicate it. I hope this will be a successful way of strengthening communities one person at time.

 

---

 

Chairman: Sean Ramezani

I am an ambitious individual and have the principal responsibility of the effective running of the Board and ensuring it plays a full and constructive part in the developing and growing Moss Rose.

I intend to promote and uphold the highest standards of governance, integrity and setting clear expectations. My role is to enhance the ability of the board and executive management to work effectively together to secure the long term and successful future for Moss Rose.

I started my career working for one of the largest banks in the UK. I gained experience advising private clients on a number of complex financial matters and soon established myself as one of the Banks leading young financial advisers.

After several years working for a large cooperation, I decided to leave the corporate world to ply my trade for a smaller, independent financial advice practice. I continue to help a diverse range of clients across Wales and South West with all aspects of their financial planning and developed particular expertise in pension advice and investment planning to NHS doctors.

On a day-to-day basis, I advise busy professionals on how to make the most of their money. My area of expertise includes NHS Pension and retirement planning, tax mitigation, pension options and investing for the future.

Outside of the office, I am a car enthusiast, and enjoys spending time with family and good friends. I have an honours degree in Genetics and also enjoy learning about politics and current affairs.

We are at an exciting time in our journey and I hope to work effectively with other members of the executive team to form a long-lasting relationship with key partners and local authorities not only in Cardiff but beyond our immediate region. I hope to help shape our vision and to engage with our community as we move forward.

This is a great opportunity to have a life changing impact on young peoples lives and to assist in everyday challenges which they face. This will help them develop life skills to allow them to live as independently as possible and lead the life they choose.

 

---

 

Jane Rogers: Retired Solicitor and director at Moss Rose Cottage.

Until recently I was working as a solicitor representing clients who suffered catastrophic injury as a result of alleged medical negligence. I have specialised in this type of law for more than 30 years acting for people often made vulnerable in society due to the nature of the injuries they sustained.
I made it my mission to help those people to live their best possible life.
Prior to qualifying as a solicitor I worked within the NHS in an interventional cardiology team.

As a solicitor, part of my work involved signposting people to other individuals and organisations that could help them achieve their dreams and goals. I have built up a large network of contacts and I am now looking forward to being more hands on, rather than referring on. I will certainly be calling on people in my network to help colleagues at Moss Rose Cottage (for things that are outside my areas of knowledge).

As an employer (in law firms) I knew that there was a wealth of untapped/undiscovered skills and knowledge within each workplace and I sought to develop those strengths and encourage people to share.
I hold the same views for Moss Rose Cottage.

I am passionate about training, mentoring and quality assurance. In 1996 in my first senior role in London I was tasked with obtaining ISO9001 for the firm. We were one of the first law firms to achieve quality accreditation. At every subsequent firm I played an active role in achieving and maintaining such accreditation.

I agreed to become involved in Moss Rose Cottage because I have known the Hurley family for almost 20 years and I was delighted that Emily has made her dream of helping others with invisible injuries thrive and turn “I can’t” into yes “I can”.
It is a unique and amazing concept for her to have founded an organisation akin to a workplace so that people with hidden disabilities will feel valued in society. They will have lots to offer.

My hope is that in future Moss Rose Cottage will be a recognised centre of well-being and will set a precedent for alternative ways to give meaning to the lives of those with serious lifelong injuries and to those who know them.

Everyone deserves the very best chance to live a fulfilling and happy life with support if that is needed.

I am looking forward to sharing my skills as a lawyer and also my personal practical skills. Anyone up for walking and talking, sewing or a knit and natter session? I’m sure there must be other things I can offer too!
More importantly, I’m looking forward to learning new skills.

 

---

 

Julie Kay: Senior Raw Materials Project Engineer 

Please tell us about the work you are doing at the moment. 

I have worked in the same company for 31 years; Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is a leading global provider of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs). IVDs are used to analyse human samples such as blood, either by measuring the concentration of specific substances, or analytes or by detecting the presence or absence of a particular marker or set of markers, such as an immune response to infection.  

I am responsible for all new biological and chemical raw materials coming into the factory, ensuring we have a robust supply chain, the material is safe from a Health and Safety perspective (COSHH), developing any in-coming testing and organising validation activities to ensure they work consistently in our product. This involves working with cross functional teams including Research and Development (R&D), Raw Material testing, Supplier Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Control and Operations. 

Why did you agree to be a director at Moss-Rose Cottage? 

I have known Bernie for about 35 years and have always been there to support her during turbulent times. My two children have grown up with Bernie and her amazing children.  I was around when Emily was born and have watched her struggle, overcome hurdles, and turn into an amazing young woman. When Bernie first told me about this project it was very exciting but overwhelming. Bernie has put so much work into making this happen. There is now focus; helping others with invisible injuries thrive. I am pleased to be a part of an organisation that will support so many people and their families and look forward to what the journey brings.

 

---

 

Dr Jack Jarman: Bsc (hons), PG Cert, D Clin Psyc (Clinical Director at Jarman Rehab Consulting Ltd and Founding Director at Moss-Rose Cottage)

Job Title: 

I am a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology and currently work as the Lead Clinical Psychologist for Wye Valley NHS Trust’s Acquired Brain injury and Stroke Rehabilitation services. This role involves developing and delivering clinical psychology rehabilitation services for brain injury survivors in both inpatient and community settings. 

I am also the clinical director of Jarman Rehab Consulting Ltd and work as an Associate of HallidayQuinn Ltd. Both companies provide specialist assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services for brain injury survivors. 

What skills you are looking forward to sharing with us at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I am looking forward to sharing my passion, creativity and clinical experience of brain injury rehabilitation to help support Moss-Rose to be as enabling and effective as possible.

Why did you agree to be a director at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I agreed to be a director at Moss-Rose because I believe that this is a truly inspirational project that will provide cutting-edge, effective, evidenced based rehabilitation opportunities for people who are regularly isolated and disconnected from their communities, following a brain injury. 

What are you most pleased to hear will be going on at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I am most pleased to hear that Moss-Rose will provide the opportunity for people who have so many strengths, skills, knowledge and lived experiences to come together and build meaningful connections, relationships and share positive psychological experiences with one another.  

What do you hope we will achieve at Moss-Rose Cottage in the long term?

I hope that Moss-Rose will become a center of wellbeing excellence and will act as a new model of how healthcare services can be effectively delivered for people who live with life-long conditions.

 

---

 

Joanne Roberts: MSc, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Please tell us about the work you are doing at the moment.

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist 23 years ago. I have worked in a variety of fields including General Medicine, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Stroke Rehabilitation, Amputee Discharge Planning and Posture and Mobility. I was a team leader for over 10 years in a busy
rehabilitation hospital, further developing my communication and leadership skills.

I then became Clinical Lead for Acute Stroke in a large teaching hospital.

Since leaving the NHS fully in 2015 I have divided my time between being a Case manager for children and young adults with birth / acquired brain injuries, I also run my own Occupational Therapy practice- Rowan Tree Therapy Services.

 

What skills you are looking forward to sharing with us at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I am passionate that everyone should have the opportunity to contribute to society, to have a valued role and be valued by society. I constantly highlight how the value of occupations cannot be underestimated and the need for balance within our occupations is crucial for wellbeing.

Within my role I constantly meet people who have a great deal to give to society, who want to have an active role – however as they are unable to fit into the ‘normal / expected’ role of working they are unable to do so. Quite often the simple things in life are taken for granted – the ability to work / to have a structure, a routine. The ability to make friends and to socialise. I am hopeful that Moss Rose will create these opportunities for so many people.

I am happy to share my knowledge and skills with those who need it – whether this being trying new and different activities (I am always willing to try a different activity) – or whether it is learning basic functional skills. I am hoping to work alongside Cardiff University
Occupational Therapy students in order to enrich their learning as well as take advantage of their skills and knowledge.

Why did you agree to be a director at Moss-Rose Cottage?

I agreed to be Director of Moss Rose – simply because I feel this is a unique opportunity. There is no doubt that there is a gap in service provision for those with invisible barriers yet hidden talents and I am hopeful Moss Rose will uncover these talents which will in turn benefit the individual, their family as well as society as a whole.

What do you hope we will achieve at Moss-Rose Cottage in the long term?

I believe there are no limits for Moss Rose, it has the ability and capacity to help and support so many people and their families – I cannot envisage the end product- however am excited to be part of the journey.

 

---

---