Our team

Katharine Merryweather

Director

As a founder of Choices for Life, I am immensely proud of the vibrant community we are today. I have been working with people who have a learning disability since 1994 and at Choices for Life since 2002. My academic background is in psychology, and I feel that I use this in all aspects of my role at Choices. I love my job and think there is nothing better than making a positive difference in people’s lives.
In my spare time I like to have quality time with friends and family, camping, yoga and singing in a choir. I am currently studying for a level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management as I’m hoping it will help me in our new venture adding Supported Living to what we offer at Choices for life. I’m very much looking forward to developing the service and feel very lucky to work with the fantastic team of managers and staff we have at Choices for Life.

Roger Merryweather

Service Manager

Having first provided voluntary support at a special school in the 1980s, I have worked in a variety of support roles in different areas including residential and schools supporting pupils on the autistic spectrum to achieve their A levels. I qualified as a Learning Disability Nurse in the year 2000 and specialised in supporting people with learning disabilities in both NHS and private hospitals. I joined Choices for Life in 2004 and particularly enjoyed the strong supportive person-centred ethos of the service that we offer. I find it to be a genuinely fun and supportive place and we have always been able to say that we put people first. I enjoy family time, walking the dog, Tai Chi, and spending time in my shed. And I enjoy the challenge of learning what people want and finding ways for them to get it.

Laura Cameron

Service Manager

I have worked in the care sector for many years, starting my career as a support worker in 2002, I did this alongside my college and university studies. I then took a year out to travel the world. I have worked at Choices for Life for since 2007. I started my career at Choices as a team leader and then in 2011 was promoted to manage Choices 1. I love my job and find everyday fun and rewarding. I have a degree in Youth and Community development, level 4 in health and social care and a RHS certificate in the principles of plant growth, propagation, and development. I have a very keen interest in gardening, growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers. I have used these skills and knowledge to set up a thriving allotment project at Choices. In my spare time I spend time with my family and friends, take our dog on long walks and look after our many other pets, we have rabbits and chickens. I also love to keep fit by doing yoga, fitness classes and going running.

Carl Radford

Registered Manager Supported Living

I have worked for Choices for Life since 2008, my first position was as a support worker, and in 2025 I became the Registered Manager for our supported Living service. I love my job, and I believe that is because we are very person centred and always looking to ensure people are valued and respected, that people have a voice, are listened to, trust us to provide an excellent service that meets their needs.

Outside of work, I enjoy socialising with my friends, I play Lawn Bowls for my local team, I enjoy watching most sports especially F1 and Football, and also enjoy going to the theatre and concert venues to watch my favourite comedians, artists, shows and bands.

Carla Dawes

Assistant Manager

I have worked for choices since 2022. I am really enjoying my new role as assistant manager. I am based in blue bubble coordinating tailored activities to service users and supporting staff to deliver them in a person-centred way. I really enjoy my job and seeing the people who use the service enjoy and embrace the activities on offer. This gives me great job satisfaction and fulfilment. In my personal life, I enjoy cooking and entertaining, and I like to travel and discover new places.

Danielle Bradley-Meade

Company Administrator

I have been part of Choices since Summer 2017 and the role really uses my wide ranging experience. My tasks include anything from financial returns & organising invoices to legal work and communications. Researching & sourcing items for the centre is also something I do very frequently, anything from DIY materials to craft/activity supplies. My job utilises all my life/practical and academic skills that have been picked up through very varied experiences and qualifications. The atmosphere, people and activities at Choices are so diverse there’s never a dull moment. I find it such an uplifting place to be I love being able to work on my own initiative both completing routine administrative duties and helping anyone with spontaneous tasks.

Joe Ward

Digital Coordinator

As Digital Coordinator at Choices, my role involves a wide range of responsibilities. I look after our Cyber Security and Data Protection, keep our technology running smoothly and fit for purpose, assist with administrative tasks, and create digital content such as our seasonal newsletter and event leaflets for parents and carers. I also help lead sessions in Red Bubble as a hybrid Support Worker — blending my tech know-how with a passion for making a positive difference in people’s lives. Choices is a wonderfully supportive and fun place to work, and the people I work with are truly a highlight to my life.

Alvine Yassah

Senior Support Worker (Supported Living)

I have worked in the care sector for 2 years 7 months first as a support worker and then a senior support worker for choices for living. I absolutely enjoy my job because growing up I have always have that care and concern for others which makes it easy for me because it comes naturally and seeing the people we support able to attain independence is a great joy. I love cooking, fitness, church , singing and spending time with my family and friends.

Charlie Waldron

Activity Coordinator

I have worked at choices for life since 2021. I absolutely love my job and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather work! Every day we have laughs and it’s full of smiles. I was a support worker for 8 months I then moved to be activity coordinator. I help to plan all of the activities we do here! In my spare time I like to read and see my friends. Spending time with family is what I love the most! I have completed many college courses also in my spare time!

Karen Wyman

Activity Coordinator

I have worked at Choices since 2014 I started my career at Choices as a support worker and then became an activity coordinator in 2021. Before Choices I worked in small care home for people with a learning disability. I was originally employed as a cleaner and over time I found that I was more suited to helping and supporting the people who lived there, and I enjoyed making a difference. I changed my career to support worker as I decided that this was the path I wanted to take. As an activity coordinator at Choices, I love supporting people to do the activities that they choose to do either individually or as part of a group. In my home life I like to spend time with my family and love to go on long walks with my Dog. I like doing Zumba and I also run as a way of keeping fit.

Leanne Perkins

Activity Coordinator

I joined Choices for life as a support worker in 2023, following my relocation from South Wales. Roughly a year later I transitioned to the role of activity coordinator for the newly established Yellow bubble.

A highly Rewarding aspect of my current role is engaging with the people who use the service. I focus on understanding their individual preferences and interests to tailor our daily activities allowing everyone to get the most out of their time at Choices.

My Professional background includes Catering and Hospitality, I also studied Art and Design in collage. I am passionate about outdoor activities, Fitness and exploring new environments, this includes paddle boarding and hiking. In my downtime I enjoy engaging in Various games (video and board games) and also crafting projects.

Mandy Aley

Activity Coordinator

I have worked in social care for over 20 years and have been with Choices for life since 2022. I began as a support worker and then progressed to activity co-ordinator, I really enjoy my job and the activities and choices we offer to our service users.
I have a large family and enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and dog sitting for the family dogs.
I like anything to do with art and love fashion and interior design. I also read a lot of fiction.
I love my job!