Our Staff

Ruth Stebbens – Executive Manager
Ruth took over as Executive Manager at the end of 2017. She began working for CASBA in 2002 as an advocacy worker on the newly funded parents project. Prior to this, Ruth had worked in both the statutory and voluntary sector in a variety of roles, both as a support worker and social worker. Ruth has experience of working with people with learning disabilities and mental health issues built up over the last 25 years. Ruth is a mum to 3 children which keeps her very busy. In her spare time Ruth enjoys reading, visiting new places and spending time with friends and family.
Janet Haywood – Parents Together Advocate
Before joining CASBA Janet worked with Adults with profound learning disabilities for six years and then became a community support worker. Janet joined CASBA ten years ago and worked on our Crisis project for five years. Janet then used her experience to work on CASBA Parents project as well as setting up and running our Choices and Changes Project providing support with finances. Janet has a degree in Art and Design and has a flair for all thing Creative she enjoys gardening, traveling and is a member of a Crown Green Bowling Team.
Tracy Morris – Parents Together Advocate
Tracy joined CASBA in 2000. She has had a few roles which included administrator and finance officer. In 2010 Tracy joined the Parents Project as the Prevention and Aftercare Advocate and completed her Advocacy qualification in 2012. When she is not at work Tracy spends her time with her family and enjoys reading and walking.
Jo Brandon - Parents Together Advocate
Jo joined CASBA in January 2018 as an advocate on the Parents Together Project.  She is a trained  counsellor  and completed her degree  in 2002. Jo  previously  worked at a University and at a family Centre for 20 years supporting families who were involved with children's services and court proceedings.  She has worked with many survivors of abuse individually and in therapeutic groups.
Jo has two daughters and in her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming and spending time with my family outdoors (but only when the sun is shining!). She also enjoys travelling and hopes to travel more when the girls are older.   
Alyson McMillan – Parents Network Coordinator and Safer Lives Safer Futures Advocate
Alyson joined CASBA in September 2015. Prior to this she worked for Birmingham City Council for 20 years mainly supporting adults with Learning Disabilities in both residential and community settings.
Alyson is a mum to 3 children and in her spare time enjoys reading and playing the piano
Heather Baseley – Safer Lives Safer Futures Advocate
Heather joined CASBA in February 2017. Heather has worked with people with Learning Disabilities for the last 30 years as a Residential Care manager and in Supporting People and Family Support. In her spare time Heather enjoys volunteering with a number of different organisations and spending time with family and friends and doing Zumba.
Debbie Brown - Mutual Carers Coordinator
Debbie joined CASBA in September 2017 as Coordinator for the Mutual Carers project. Debbie has worked for over 20 years with people with learning disabilities in the community. Previously Debbie worked for CASBA as an Advocate supporting people who were being resettled into the community from Monyhull  hospital a long stay hospital.  Debbie also works as a Counsellor providing support to those experiencing Bereavement and Loss.
Debbie loves spending times with her family and friends, she enjoys reading, nature and travelling. 
Carly Williams – Mutual Carers Advocate
Carly joined CASBA as a staff member in April 2018. Prior to this, she worked as a volunteer within CASBA for two years, offering support on various projects, including the parents group and mutual carers. Carly volunteered for CASBA alongside attending University, where she studied for a degree in Psychology and Counselling. Before joining the charity sector she had worked within the Civil Service for 18 years. In her spare time Carly enjoys spending time with her three children, reading, and going on days out – preferably anywhere by the sea. She also volunteers as a High School Governor.
Marie Richards – Finance and Office Administrator
Marie joined CASBA in 2011 as Administrator. Prior to this she worked for 15 years at HSBC Bank in various departments including customer services and collections. Marie took on responsibility for Finance in 2013. In 2016 she was promoted to Finance and Office Administrator. Marie is a mom to two children who have very varied interests. In her spare time she loves spending time with her friends and eating out.
Becky Jones – Development and Volunteer Coordinator
Becky joined CASBA in 2014, having initially worked in the voluntary sector for 10 years as a Community Development Worker and then with Birmingham City Council for 23 years, in a number of different officer roles, working with communities and volunteers across the Inner City and East Birmingham. In her spare time Becky enjoys singing with a St Mary’s Hospice Choir and attending her local Women’s Institute.
Joe Peacock - Heritage Project Coordinator
Joe joined CASBA in September 2017 to coordinate the Heritage Project collecting oral histories to record the experiences of people with learning difficulties, their families and those who supported them through their journey from living in institutions to life in the community. Prior to this role he has worked in the charity sector for the past nine years, promoting issues such as human rights and combating discrimination, environmental protection and access to wildlife in urban areas. He has two young children who keep him busy, but also finds time to sing in a choir and loves walking and taking photos of wildlife.