Who’s Who
Trustees
Cathy Magill - Trustee & Chair
My name is Cathy Magill, I have been married to my husband Joe for 39 years. We have 3 grown up children and 5 grandchildren. I have lived in quite a number of places around the country due to Joe’s work, however we settled in Somerset in 1985. We had our own business but because of ill health, my back, and other reasons we had to give it up. In 1991 I had an operation on my back, which went wrong and left me disabled.
So why did I become involved with disabled people? It was after I came home from hospital, I laid for 2 years at home because I didn't know where to go or who to ring for any help or information. Joe was working full time and I had to stay in bed until he came home. If it weren’t for a friend talking to someone I would still be laying there.
It was after I started to get help that I realised lots of people where in the same position as I had been. It was decided by Joe and Richard from the Disability information and Advocacy Service that it was about time that I started to help other disabled people. At that point I started as a representative on the County Council Social Services Committee. Things progressed from there to helping in the formation of SAIN (later to become Compass Disability Services), a disability representative group run by disabled people countywide. This led to disabled people being able to tackle problems encountered by them in Health, Social Services or Environment. We are now a strong group of disabled people who help by working with the various authorities putting policies right before they are published wrong. We would like you to do the same and join us.
Robert Taylor - Trustee & Vice Chair
I became a wheelchair user after I broke my neck in a road traffic accident in 1976 at the age of 17 years. I have now been married for 15 years and live independently in the community with the aid of 2 live-in support workers. I have worked in the field of disability issues for the past 23 years both on a voluntary and professional basis and have been involved in training disabled people to become Disability Equality Trainers.
I am currently Chief Executive of RT Disability Consultants Ltd, a national consultancy involved in personal injury litigation, working with people involved in catastrophic claims.
As a Trustee with Compass Disability Services, I hope I bring my knowledge and experience in the private sector to the board.
Helen Rooke - Trustee
I am a wheelchair user. My problem is one of mobility but I am interested in all aspects of disability and the challenges that disabled people encounter. I am also a firm believer in equal opportunity for all in our society. I live in South East Somerset with my husband, two dogs and a cat.
My working life was in academic publishing and libraries. I worked for the London Office of the University Presses of Chicago, Columbia and Yale and for Macmillan Publishers. As a librarian I have been employed by Dorset County Council and the Ministry of Defence.
I joined Compass Disability Services as a trustee in November 2005. I enjoy being involved in such an innovative organisation, work which I find both stimulating and rewarding.
Stephanie Witherick - Trustee
Paul White - Trustee
I live in the village of Horsington in South Somerset. I am almost retired having completed a career in the British Army. I now act as company secretary (and household husband) to my wife. I have been lucky enough to have served in such exotic places as Nepal, the Caribbean, Singapore and Hong Kong. My job was that of paymaster, which entailed keeping and auditing accounts; taking responsibility for personnel and administration; and managing a large staff to look after various regiments. I also gave financial advice to groups and individuals, helping with specific problems as well as providing general guidelines.
My interests and hobbies include being a school governor, working for the WRVS, playing competitive bridge and keeping fit by walking.
I have two grown up sons, one of whom is married with children.
I am delighted to offer my expertise to Compass Disability Services as a trustee, and look forward to helping it grow as an organisation.
Joe Magill - Trustee
After 25 years of service in the Army coming into civilian life was a great cultural shock for me and my family, I am still trying to recover from it more than 20 years later. As a full time carer for my wife over the past nine years, it has given me an insight into the world of disability. While working with Compass Disability Services since its formation as SAIN and prior to that with two other disability organisations, as secretary for all three at some stage, has made me appreciate the ability of disabled people. Most recently I have taken over the role of Treasurer. Compass Disability Services has been a wonderful experience not only in meeting and working with disabled people but understanding their needs and aspirations. To see people get up and go for objectives that would thwart the best of people gives me a lot of job satisfaction, no pay but multitudes of satisfaction. The only thing I would say about my age is that I was born very young and have remained that way ever since, young at heart that is, nearer to retirement in body.
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Pitman - Chief Executive Officer
Following a car accident I became a wheelchair user. In 1994 I started working for the Taunton Deane and West Somerset Advocacy Service. This was basically one man, an office and a telephone. Despite these humble beginnings, the service managed to deliver and grow. This became DIAS. (The Disability Information & Advocacy Service). From here I joined SAIN (to become Compass Disability Services), originally as a trustee and then took on the role of Development Worker in 2003. In 2006 I became CEO and still hold up position to the current date. I am married to Martine and have a stepson who was born in 2001 and twins who were born in 2007. To complete the family we also have Bertie the basset hound. With the full household I do not have much time for hobbies, but I enjoy my garden, photography and building design.