Board of Trustees
Helen Gilder – Chair and Treasurer
I first became aware of ACCT when my eldest child was diagnosed with ASD and became more involved after my youngest child received his diagnosis and began accessing some clubs.
With huge appreciation for the help that I received from ACCT and recognising the support that the charity provides to many families I was happy to volunteer to be a trustee and treasurer and was later asked to become Chair.
In my professional life I am a chartered accountant and have been CFO of several businesses over the years. In recent years I have been engaged as a non-executive director with several businesses working to support the executive team to manage the businesses properly and effectively.
My desire is for ACCT to continue to support a wide range of families and to maximise their contribution to enabling the autistic community to live fulfilling lives.
Margaret Kilner – Deputy Chair
I have been a Trustee of ACCT since 2020.
As a parent carer to two Autistic children who attend mainstream school, I understand first-hand the value of ACCT’s support. Our family have been involved with the charity since 2017, when a friend signposted us to ACCT after my eldest son’s diagnosis, going on to regularly attend ACCTivate, swimming, football, teen club, family days out, and InterACCT.
During the pandemic lockdown in 2020, I co-founded the parent carer peer support group and continue to facilitate sessions alongside Nicola, now alternating with a team of volunteers.
I bring previous experience as a Trustee for a local mental health charity to the board, as well as a professional background spanning local and national charities, the NHS, and the private sector. I currently work for the City of Doncaster Council, as part of a team who aim to make sure that Adult Social Care services are fair, accessible, and shaped by the people who rely on them.
I am passionate about helping ACCT remain a vital lifeline for families—offering connection, fun, and support for many years to come. Being part of the ACCT community is a privilege and source of joy in my life.
Sara Bartlett Brown – Trustee Safeguarding Lead
My family have been members of ACCT since my children began attending ACCTivate some years ago. We continue to benefit from all that the charity offers. Teenage Club, InterACCT, day trips and swimming have been invaluable to the well being and development of my children.
Deeply grateful for this assistance, I have been a trustee since 2022. I bring knowledge, training and experience from both my personal and professional life. I am committed to supporting ACCT to continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
I have been qualified as a Counsellor/Talking Therapist for many years. I have spent much of my working life supporting autistic students as a Specialist Mentor and College Counsellor. I currently work alongside autistic adults online as a Counsellor in Private Practice, working with individuals and with couples. I am interested in Buddhist Philosophy and in my spare time I enjoy being outside and birdwatching.
Sharon Court
ACCT became an important part of our family life when my youngest child was diagnosed as Autistic and ADHD nearly 10 years ago. For us as family having ACCT has meant our child can take a break from the everyday stresses of masking to fit in, and be somewhere that is fun and social with their peers who accept them and be around supportive adults who understand.
I joined the board of Trustees in June 2024 because I want to help to ensure ACCT can continue to support other families.
In my professional life I am a project worker for Sheffield Parent Carer Forum. I have a Masters degree in Autism and love to talk about special interests.
Janet Himan
I am thrilled to have joined the ACCT board of trustees in 2025 and support the outstanding services being delivered to our autistic community.
As a Civil Engineer I have been blessed to have a 30 year career solving problems and providing solutions for communities across the UK. In a variety of roles, I have delivered projects in education, health and infrastructure sectors all with a common driver to provide improved social outcomes for all.
I am married and a mum to 2 teenagers and as a family we have a wonderful blend of neurotypes. My journey supporting an autistic child through the current education process has led me to recognise the lack of inclusion and the challenges which are
facing so many autistic families.
My hope is that ACCT team continue to build the confidence of members enabling them to contribute to their community and live their best lives.
Staff Members
Nicola Hough
is the Manager of ACCT and leads Acctivate Children’s Club. She has two daughters, one on the autistic spectrum. Nicola has been with ACCT for over 10 years, having previously been a trustee, and undertaken the roles of Secretary and Co-Chair. Nicola has worked at a local nursery school supporting pre-school children with additional needs, and was the SENCo at a local playgroup.
Nicola has supported the needs of several children on the autistic spectrum and believes that early identification and accommodation of each child’s unique needs is key to their progress and future development. Nicola feels very lucky to work within a setting that embraces disability and has learned how to implement many different strategies. She has an NVQ level 3 in Early Years and has received training in Early Years, First Aid, ASCs, Behaviour Management, Makaton, Jabadao and AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication).
Nicola is ACCT’s Safeguarding Lead.
Alex Hithersay
is the Teenage Club Leader and also runs the ACCT Minecraft server and our specialist Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Alex has a wealth of experience working with and supporting autistic and neurodivergent children and young people. Alex is certified in Team Teach and MAPA, and is trained in safeguarding, management, first aid, PDA, ASD and behaviour management.
Alex is a Climbing Coach/Instructor at The Climbing Works in Sheffield and runs Inclusive climbing classes for SEND. He has worked as PA for autistic teenagers and children for several years. Alex is also qualified with a BTEC Level 3 for IT Practitioners and looks after the IT equipment used at ACCT. He has run summer workshops in media, music and animation, as well as climbing clubs for the teenagers and children.
Alison Kerfoot
is our Deputy Service Coordinator for Acctivate and helps lead the Saturday morning session. She is the lead for our Volunteer Hub and responsible for recruiting, training and coordinating our volunteers. Alison also oversees our Friday evening ACCT Academy Football Club sessions alongside our football coaches.
Alison has been a Playworker with ACCT since 2018, and has previous professional experience within the education sector, ranging from early years to higher education. She is a qualified NVQ3 Teaching Assistant, and is trained in Makaton, Elklan Speech and Language Support, Team Teach, MAPA and Paediatric First Aid.
Alison is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Sera Cleverley
is our Deputy Service Coordinator for Teenage Club and works alongside Alex to deliver the sessions on a Wednesday evening. She brings her knowledge of visual arts practice to the club to provide playful and therapeutic activities to encourage creativity and help young people relax. Sera joined ACCT as a Volunteer, then a Playworker in 2019 before becoming a Deputy in 2020. She manages the ACCT Membership and also runs our ACCTing Out sessions for young adults.
As a parent of 3 neurodivergent children herself, Sera has been an ACCT Member and service user since 2012. She has a wealth of personal experience of PDA and complex communication needs. Sera has working knowledge of Makaton and accredited to Level 4, and is also trained in Paediatric First Aid, Keeping Children Safe Online, Team Teach and MAPA. Sera has completed OCN Level 3 Supporting Children, Teens & Young Adults with PDA, and is one of our Deputy Safeguarding Leads. Outside of ACCT, Sera offers 1:1 support at an alternative education provision.
Danny Antrobus
joined ACCT in May 2018 as Fundraising and Finance Coordinator, with responsibility for managing our fundraising and day-to-day financial management, as well as governance support to our board of trustees. Danny has worked in the Sheffield voluntary sector since 2000, for various organisations including Voluntary Action Sheffield and South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau. Danny also works with several charities on a freelance basis, helping organisations with their fundraising, evaluation and strategic and organisational development.
Playworkers and Volunteers
ACCT has a team of highly trained Playworkers supporting each of our sessions – a combination of permanent staff, bank workers and volunteers. Each and every one of them are an important part of our team who bring unique skills and experiences to the sessions. Playworkers at all levels undergo an enhanced DBS check, complete certified training in Safeguarding Children & Young People, and undertake in-house training specific to the role.
If you are interested in joining the ACCT Team, please visit our Recruitment page.
Honorary Trustee
Dr Nevyne Chalhoub
has worked as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Sheffield since 1998 and has the position of Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Sheffield Children’s Foundation Trust. She is also the Clinical Director of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
Autistic Children and Carers Together (ACCT) 