Learn About Our Trustees

As a registered charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity Number 1176900), the management and administration of Alexandra House of Joy is overseen by a Board of Trustees.

Our Trustees are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries.

Learn more about our Trustees below.

Rachael Scott-Hunter – Chair of Board of Trustees

Born in Sale, Manchester in 1946, Rachael moved to Lalnfairfechan, North Wales 1954 where she grew up in a hotel owned by her parents, Charles & Kathleeen Estcourt. While working for her parents, Rachael met Ian in 1961, when he came on holiday from Aberdeen, and they were married in Rhos on Sea in 1968. In 1969 they welcomed the arrival of their son, Paul, and their daughter Alexandra was born in 1972. Following the catastrophic brain hemorrhage four days after Alexandra was born, the family left North Wales and moved to London to be nearer Great Ormond Street Hospital were Alexandra received very necessary treatment. In the 1980s the family came to live in Oxfordshire where Ian and Rachael reside until this present day. Sadly, their beloved daughter Alexandra passed away in March 2019.

Rachael says “It has been an absolute privilege and honour for both of us to have been her parents, and it is because of the legacy she has left behind, and the very sad state of the local Social Care Services constantly being eroded by budget cuts that, through God’s wisdom and vision given, Ian and I find ourselves committed and dedicated to finding the funds to build a very unique and much needed retreat for families like ours who are so disadvantaged and discriminated against in our society today.”

Kathy Liddell – Trustee

I am primarily a Mum to 4 adults, the youngest of whom was born with severe learning disabilities, autism, sensory integration disorder and dyspraxia.

We moved back to the UK when my daughter was in her teens and whilst navigating the complex children and adult social care system I came across a small family carer led charity, Oxfordshire Family Support Network (OxFSN) which I now work for, helping to improve the lives of the learning disabled.  At OxFSN, we feel every person with a learning disability deserves to live life to the full and this can be done if the family also has good support.  Which is why, I am a staunch supporter of the Alexandra House of Joy whose mission is to provide respite and care for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families. The need for a bespoke inclusive community has never been greater. Cuts to social care has seen a reduction in both day support and respite services leaving family carers, many of whom are life long carers with no where for their relative to go and on their knees.  The Alexandra House of Joy will be a lifeline to these families.

When I am not championing the cause for the learning disabled, my other passions are travelling, walking, eating good food and most of all being a grandma.

James Killen – Trustee

My professional passion is People and Performance, leading teams to exceed expected performance, through a range of Strategies, tactics, and transformation, with a shared purposed beneath our impacts. I’ve worked in hospitality for over 15 years across EMEA, leading Pricing and Revenue Management at Hilton, Travelodge, and De Vere. My early career started in retail operations, as General Manager at a branded restaurant and Supermarket store manager.

Born in Liverpool, I’ve lived in Oxford since 2005, married with four boys, I lead Family Ministry at St Edburgs Church in addition to delivering our boys to a variety of clubs and activities. I’ve a BSc in Social Policy from the University of Surrey and an MBA from Lancaster Management school.

Our eldest boy was born with SATB2 – a Genetic disorder which makes life more challenging for him: he’s non-verbal and requires a high level of support. Understanding and experiencing the life of children, and now adults, with learning difficulties has changed me for the better. I, often find that the world around struggles to understand and provide a person with profound needs the opportunity they’re entitled too, whilst unable to unlock the many benefits they offer to myself and others. I see Alexandra House of Joy as providing a unique space which will bring adults together to find joy, educate, and become an example of understanding and care for others.