A former consultant Paediatrician at the Royal Gwent Hospital, and later Senior Lecturer in Cardiff University School of Medicine, Sabine has been the visionary and driving force behind Sparkle. She worked to provide the vision, concept and direction for joined up care and leisure to children with severe and complex disabilities, and enable them to engage in opportunities to build new skills and confidence and thus reach their full potential.

Sabine led the campaign to found and fund Serennu, and now continues to work on the development of our leisure provision, exploring innovative programs and partnerships to enhance the lives of our children and their families. She also oversees the research and evaluation program that Sparkle runs, ensuring that the innovative programs and services we offer are disseminated to professionals, policymakers and families across the UK and beyond.

After a short period working in Ireland following her graduation Janet came to Wales and spent the majority of her time working in Gwent, first as a practicing OT and then as head of the OT service until her retirement in July 2020.

As Chair of Trustees, Janet continues to be passionate about improving the services and facilities that are available for children, young people and their families living in the Gwent area.

Noel is retired Chartered accountant who has worked in industry as Group finance director of a listed company and later on in practice as managing partner of regional firm of chartered accountants.

Although now retired from being a partner in the accountancy practice, Noel still works as an Expert witness from time to time, and enjoys playing golf and tennis. Noel also likes to fill his time gardening and walking in the countryside and exploring cities and countries.

Now retired, Martin previously worked in senior finance roles in the NHS in Gwent throughout his career.

Martin has supported Sparkle as a Trustee and fundraiser from the start, from the lobbying and building stages of Serennu, and for some years thereafter, including him scaling the heights of Kilimanjaro in 2010. Martins other interests include sport, mainly football, rugby, cricket and speedway, local history, wildlife and collecting ‘anything and everything'.

As a parent of a child with disabilities, Joan’s motivation to be involved and make a difference has always been to ensure that future children and families don’t have the same experience as she had.

Prior to having her children, Joan was a computer systems analyst at Rolls Royce and Alcan. She now works part-time at Rodney Parade as a match day steward / first aider.

She also actively continues to volunteer her time with Girlguiding, and Scouting.

Tracey brings 44 years’ education experience in Wales and abroad having taught in primary, secondary, and special schools, lectured on local University courses, and held several senior management positions. The latter were within Gwent education services specialising in additional learning needs (ALN) and English as an additional language (EAL). Recently she helped a number of Wales regions get ready for new Welsh Government ALN reforms.

Additionally, she has worked extensively within health boards, social care and third sector organisations within South East, South West and Mid Wales to improve collaboration between health, social care and education. Tracey was delighted to become a Sparkle trustee, having previously worked closely with the charity and with some of the other trustees.

In her spare time Tracey loves tending to her garden, walking her large dogs, and supporting village and church life.

Nicole Garnon is a former editor of the South Wales Argus, a post she held following a long career at the paper where she held many different positions including health reporter, news editor and deputy editor.

The mother of two left the Argus in 2020. After the Covid lockdown she opened a gallery and shop in Newport called Gallery 57 where she can now be found highlighting the work of many local artists, jewellers and potters.

Siobhan became a solicitor in 2010 and has been practising Children Law for nearly 18 years locally in Newport. She represents children and vulnerable adults in Court proceedings involving social services and/or complex disputes between parents.

Siobhan has experience in her role of working with parents, young people and children who have additional needs and has seen first-hand the difference that respite and support from services provided by Sparkle can make to those with disabilities and their families. She is passionate about advocating for children and young people and sought to become a trustee to support the work that Sparkle does for families in the Gwent area.

In her spare time, Siobhan also mentors in local schools in Newport as part of the 'One Million Mentors' scheme for young people. 

Gary joins the board with more than 40 years of experience in post-16 education and training, including 20 years in senior management at Coleg Gwent. His work spanned all five Gwent local authorities and covered a wide range of provision, from health and social care to ESOL, hair and beauty, hospitality and dedicated ILS programmes supporting young people with diverse additional needs. He left his full-time role in 2025 and now works part-time as an educational consultant, contributing to national curriculum development for learners aged 16 to 25 with additional learning needs and disabilities.

Away from work, Gary enjoys time with his family, walking, travelling and cheering on Wales at rugby. He’s also an enthusiastic cook, a passion that started during his student days when he worked at Cadbury’s. He’s looking forward to using his experience to support Sparkle’s essential services across Gwent and to strengthen partnerships with local organisations.