Neil Bastow

We have a new trustee. Neil Bastow will replace Jo Minns. Jo is staying, but as a figurehead for ‘complaints’ only. Jo is about to embark upon a Master’s degree on top of full-time working, hence her decision to resign as trustee.  We wish her well. Meanwhile, we welcome Neil to the charity. This is what Neil has to say:

My name is Neil Bastow and I’m 50 something, I live in the idyllic seaside town of Rhos on Sea on Wales’ North West Coast. I am married with 5 children, 1 still in full time education. I have been working with adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism since 2006 but have come from a family exclusively in health care. Working with Autism has been the delight of my life as I can really make a change in people’s lives whereas all preceding jobs paled into insignificance. I work for two companies, Cartrefi Cymru with who I manage houses for people with LD/Autism and for Focus Care Wales with whom I work exclusively with one man with challenging behaviour, and as the Facilitator for the Social Club for High functioning Autism and Asperger’s people. This is the arena that brought me into contact with the remarkable lady “Sonia Owen” whom you all know. My capacity is not to run the club but to be there for those times life puts obstacles in the way, that the club members are not yet equipped to deal with. I also love taking on the authorities when they play fast and loose with peoples PIP. I am also a town councillor for the Bay of Colwyn Town Council and chair the General Purpose and Planning committee.  For Fun ??? I run Marathons, Half Marathons, Endurance races of most kinds with the absolute conviction that I’ll never win…Also repair cars as it was my previous life.