Mencap Liverpool is governed by a Board of Trustees. Together they bring a wealth of experience from different backgrounds and are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. All of Mencap Liverpool’s trustees are unpaid – they volunteer their time and expertise for free.

None of the trustees are based in the office, so if you’d like to speak to one of them, please contact the office to arrange this.

Carolyn McConnell –  Chair 

I first became aware of the work of Mencap Liverpool during my time working with Merseyside Police Authority, where I was the Deputy Chief Executive.  At the time Merseyside Police Authority supported Mencap Liverpool, providing funding towards a couple of projects aimed at reducing hate crime for people with learning disabilities.

Since March 2013 I have been a volunteer with Mencap Liverpool and have been involved in the arts and social aspects of the charity.

I started to attend Mencap Board Meetings as an observer before becoming  a Trustee.  I am interested in helping to contribute to the work of Mencap Liverpool, particularly in relation to improving the accessibility of people with learning disabilities in the community.

I am a keen fan of football (supporting Liverpool), love reading crime fiction, and I am a mum to two grown up sons and have a grandson.

Steve Mahon – Vice Chair

After 23 years in the construction industry Steve joined the voluntary sector in 1995 becoming Director of Centre Services for BGWS helping them to become the largest childrens’ charity in the North West. During this time he also became the first regional trustee of CFDG (Charity Finance Directors Group) ending his term as Vice Chair in 2007.

He joined the iconic Bluecoat as FD in Capital of Culture Year and spent three years there before setting up his own consultancy using his considerable experience to help small charities and it was during this period he met Sarah Jones and became interested in Mencap Liverpool. He became a Trustee in 2012, quickly became our Treasurer and now supports Carolyn as Vice Chair

After a six months turned into 6 years with Cruden Property services, Steve finally retired in 2018.  In his spare time he is a qualified FA Coach and Referee and long suffering supporter of Everton. He is also a member of the Liverpool Philharmonic and regularly supports the fantastic RLPO and wishes he had an ounce of Vasily Petrenko’s musical talent!

Beth Greenhill

I work as a psychologist in the NHS with people with learning difficulties. Part of my job is working with people who use our service to make sure their human rights are respected. I have done my job for eleven years.

I also work at Liverpool University where I help to train new psychologists. I also do research to try and understand how to make services better for people with learning difficulties and their supporters.

I am proud to be a Trustee of Mencap Liverpool because I am passionate about the human rights of people with learning difficulties, and think the charity makes a difference to people’s lives.

 Phil Corfield -Treasurer

Phil has worked in various Finance Director roles at group Level and has over twenty five years’ experience, currently he is Group FD @ Gardner Systems PLC based in Liverpool. Having supported many third sector organisations in various capacities he is committed to adding value where he can. Phil has worked with The Rotunda College specifically in their case to assist with their accounting functions and continues to help them as required.

Phil also offers consulting and management services to a broad range of companies who require advice on best practice and systems implementation. He is also a Reserve Officer in the Royal Air Force and provides support for Adventurous training Activities .

Phil has a give something back philosophy and has also worked with several youth organisations to teach and supervise in a broad range of mountain activities from Skiing to Duke of Edinburgh as well as expedition preparation. Phil was introduced to Mencap Liverpool several years ago through Sarah Jones and has been very open about wanting to be involved with the in his words very necessary and worthwhile work done by Mencap Liverpool.

Maria Cabrera Urda

When I was 15 my parents adopted the most wonderful girl I have ever known, my sister Salka, who has Down Syndrome. This experience opened my eyes to the amount of support that charities provide and the role that organisations like Mencap play in people’s lives. My family and I have been involved with local charities in Spain since Salka came into our lives.
Upon moving to Liverpool I was determined to continue providing my support to this community and that is how I started volunteering with Mencap Liverpool.
After three years of volunteering, I wanted to do more, so when I was given the chance to become a Trustee I jumped at the opportunity.
I hope to draw down on my experiences from industry and personal life to help Mencap Liverpool continue the fantastic work they do far into the future.