Valerie has extensive experience of management in the voluntary sector (not for profit organisations). Valerie has used her teaching qualifications and work experience at Brighton Council for Voluntary Service to help her to manage and run the Brighton and Hove Federation of Disabled People for 12 ½ years, where she was instrumental in securing funding for the development of services for people with disabilities and promoting independence with dignity for all disabled people.

Valerie has worked for 15 years developing and supporting the Community Transport project in the Brighton and Hove area, in both a management and a director’s role and is presently the Chair of this organisation.

Valerie works with the Brighton and Hove taxi trade and previously worked with the Hackney Carriage Office developing and promoting taxi vouchers for people with mobility problems who are entitled to apply for a bus pass, but who are often unable to use buses. Promoting good practice for people with mobility difficulties accessing wheelchair accessible taxis is a particular area of expertise and Valerie continues to provide Disability Awareness Training as part of the taxi drivers’ ‘knowledge’ for new taxi drivers in Brighton & Hove.

Valerie is now working as an independent consultant, providing Disability Awareness Training for service providers, including areas of transportation.