Meet the team at Sunderland People First

Self Advocates

Adam Tulloch

Adam is a director for Sunderland People First, with lived experience of Autism. He delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 mandatory training, and is trained in tier 2.
Adam enjoy spending time with his family and his dog, Charlie. He also enjoys volunteering at Sunderland Home Grown, and helping his Grandad with his garden. He likes going on walks to parks, specifically Roker Park and The Marina.
Andrew Cowe

Andrew has worked at Sunderland People First for over 15 years. He currently delivers Be Cancer Aware and Be Epilepsy Aware training with the team, and is trained in Oliver McGowan tier 2 mandatory training. He likes watching motor racing and golf.
Ashley Benford

Ashley delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 mandatory training, and is trained in tier 2. He has delivered Learning Disability Training, Junior Doctor Training and currently delivers Be Cancer Aware and Be Epilepsy Aware Training. Ashley enjoys playing football and swimming.
Amy Telford

Amy is a director for Sunderland People First, with lived experience of autism. She delivers tier 1 and tier 2 Oliver McGowan mandatory training.
Amy has published her own poetry book and passionately believes that everyone, regardless of who they are, should be listened to, treated with respect and included in decisions about their lives.
In her spare time, Amy loves spending time with her dog, going on long beach walks, baking sourdough and cross stitching.

Bryony Randall

Bryony started with Sunderland People First in 2024 as a self-advocate. So far, she has delivered Be Screening Aware and Oliver McGowan tier 1 mandatory training, and is trained in tier 2. During her studies in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, she angled her focus towards disability when, as an autistic person with a chronic illness, she encountered obstacles. Bryony fills her time with all the hobbies she thought she would have to give up to be an actor. She’s happy, and she wants that chance for her friends and other neurodivergent folk.
Erin Simblett

Erin is a director for Sunderland People First. She delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 and 2 mandatory training. She has previously delivered Learning Disability Training, and was involved in the What About Me? Project. Erin is a big fan of watching Doctor Who and going for walks in the park.
Gavin Barr

Gavin is involved in Stop People Dying Too Young and delivers Be Cancer Aware Training. He has previously been involved in the What About Me? Project and the We are Human Too Campaign. Gavin likes to listen to music and play on his computer.
Ian Middleton

Ian is a Director for Sunderland People First. He delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 mandatory training, and is trained in tier 2. He is part of our Be Cancer Aware and Be Epilepsy Aware team, as well as being involved in the Humanising Healthcare partnership work. He has previously delivered learning disability training. He is a runner, a member of three choirs and is currently learning to play the keyboard.

Karen Hughes

Karen is a lived experience family carer and supports Phil, her brother. Karen has previously contributed to Learning Disability Training, We Are Human Too, and Junior Doctor Training with Phil. She is a member of Stop People Dying Too Young, providing the invaluable perspective of a close family carer.
Matthew Moon

Matthew delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 and 2 Mandatory Training and Be Cancer Aware Training. He is also part of our Humanising Healthcare team. Matthew is a massive film buff and watches at least 50 to 100 new films every year.
Philip Hughes

Phil is trained in Oliver McGowan tier 2 mandatory training and delivers Be Cancer Aware training. He has previously delivered Learning Disability Awareness Training and Junior Doctor Training. Phil is a member of Stop People Dying Too Young and the We are Human Too Campaign.

Nathan Tennant

Nathan started volunteering as an Autism Advocate in 2019, which is how he met Sunderland People First. Nathan delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 and 2 mandatory training. Nathan wants to use his own life experience to help other autistic people navigate their lives on an easier, happier and more fulfilling course than his. In his own time, he enjoys making art and learning about local history.
Toni Ann Wood

Toni Ann delivers Oliver McGowan tier 1 and 2 mandatory training, Be Cancer Aware training and is part of the Humanising Health Care project. Toni Ann enjoys playing on her PlayStation, going to the theatre, watching movies and going out for family meals.

Staff

Layla Trethewey

Co-production and Advocacy Facilitator
Layla started at Sunderland People First as a co-production and advocacy facilitator in July 2026. She has nearly three years experience working in educational settings with children with learning disabilities and autism. She is a trained facilitator for Oliver McGowan tier 2 mandatory training.
Outside of work, Layla loves playing games, doing crafts, going running, reading books and watching movies.

Lisa Clark

CEO
Lisa has over 30 years experience in different job roles of working with and supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic adults. She is also a family carer. She has a passion for indoor and wild swimming.
Amber Clark

Operations Facilitator
Amber has worked alongside the advocates with the University of Sunderland students on their Adaptive Activity Module, to ensure inclusion for people with a learning disability and autistic people in sporting activities. Amber is a trained facilitator for Oliver McGowan tier 1 and 2 mandatory training. She also develops Be Cancer/Be Screening Aware training and has previously delivered Learning Disability Awareness training.
Amber has a degree in Ballet and Contemporary Dance. In her spare time, she likes to walk her dog, Dollie.