Cathy is the founder behind The Haven, driven by a deep-seated passion for transforming the educational landscape for neurodivergent young people. As a parent to neurodivergent children herself, she recognised the urgent need for a space that prioritises emotional regulation, safety, and authentic identity over rigid traditional structures. Cathy is also founder and CEO of Autistic Girls Network charity, which provided the seed funding for The Haven.

In addition to this, Cathy is the author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person and AGN’s White Paper, Autism, Girls and Keeping It All Inside. Her work focuses on dismantling the barriers that lead to school trauma and burnout, replacing them with environments where young people can truly exhale and be themselves. She is passionate about shifting the narrative around neurodivergence from one of “disorder” to one of “diversity,” helping families navigate the complexities of the education system with confidence.

Beyond the Desk: When she isn’t advocating for systemic change, Cathy is likely immersed in a creative project or finding new ways to make The Haven a sanctuary for its community.

“The Haven exists because every young person deserves an education that doesn’t come at the cost of their mental health.”