Charity Oversight

John Risbridger (Chair) – John is Director of Mission for King’s Community Church, Southampton and Course Director of the Catalyst Leadership and Theology Training Course. He has many years of experience in pastoral ministry, following five years working in NHS management. He has served as a trustee of the Evangelical Alliance and Keswick Ministries. He is married to Alison and they live on the edge of Southampton.

Stephen Hull – Stephen is a retired former company director of a professional services company. He has extensive board level experience from his time in business, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, marketing and financial planning. He also has experience of charity governance as a trustee for a local charity supporting mental health and wellbeing. Stephen has extensive lived experience of supporting children and young people with additional needs. 

Jeremy Parsonage – Jeremy Parsonage has spent the last forty years teaching, guiding and supporting children and their families as a Primary School teacher. He has worked with children who have been living with a wide variety of diverse needs and has also helped support a young boy with autism through to adulthood. Over many years he has also enjoyed staging many productions by and for children. He has a wife and three grown up children who also have a heart for children. He is delighted that as a trustee he is able to facilitate the helping hands of Growing Hope to support, guide and encourage the children and families who are starting their journey along the additional needs path.

Steve Macklin – Steve has over 25 years of experience running a successful local business, equipping him with a wealth of practical skills and strategic expertise. He is eager to bring this experience to support Growing Hope as they develop their new centre in the Solent area, ensuring it thrives as a hub of care and compassion. Married to Yvonne and proud father to two grown-up daughters, Steve is deeply inspired by Growing Hope’s mission to provide free therapy for children with additional needs and their families. He looks forward to contributing to the charity’s impactful work in fostering hope and transformation in the community.

Nicola Carr – Nicola has 12 years experience working with primary aged children with additional needs, delivering tailor made programs and interventions. She is married to David and has two grown up married children. She enjoys cooking, travelling and spending time with her family and friends. Nicola has a keen interest in ancestry and loves researching her family tree.

Stephen Hull – Stephen has been the Senior Pastor of King’s Community Church for 9 years and in full-time Christian ministry for 26 years. Prior to that he was a Housemaster at Eastbourne College having studied History at the University of Southampton and, following that, researched a PhD in Church History at the same university. Stephen and his family have had a longstanding interest in education and in supporting children with additional needs in particular for many years.