We are delighted to announce that, from 1 January 2026, Sarah Lalieu will be stepping into the role of Head of Support.
Sarah joined the team in 2019 as our Connect Up Coordinator, where she developed and delivered a vibrant programme of social activities and events designed to tackle social isolation and loneliness within our community. Over her two years in this role, she transformed our events calendar and built excellent relationships with members of our community. Her passion for supporting others led her to pursue a counselling qualification and to become more involved in our Support services, working closely with Denise Boyall.
With Sarah’s skills and strengths in mind, we later created a new role offering an Employment and Careers service. In this post, Sarah has supported many people who could no longer work due to their neuromuscular condition, helping them explore new career paths or meaningful volunteering opportunities. She has also guided young people with neuromuscular conditions as they begin their careers, move on to university, and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Since September, Sarah has served as Deputy Head of Support, managing our Support services alongside Denise, including The Hub, Makerspace, Employment Services, Endeavour, and our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes.
Sarah is a fantastic asset to Team NMC and we know she will flourish in her new role. She is the ideal candidate to lead our Support services, bringing first-hand knowledge and lived experience of the challenges associated with neuromuscular conditions. Sarah has FSHD and has been accessing NMC’s services for 13 years, during which she has navigated significant life changes, from housing adaptations to transitioning from walking to using a mobility scooter, all while parenting and maintaining a successful career. Denise will remain with us as Occupational Therapist for the next few months, ensuring continued close collaboration with Sarah and our community.