Our Story
Whoopsadaisy started with providing conductive education to children with physical disabilities over a decade ago.
We’re a friendly charity based in beautiful Preston Park, supporting children with disabilities and their families from Brighton & Hove and the surrounding area.
Our founder, Nina Holland, discovered the power of conductive education when her own son Christopher was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. She set up Whoopsadaisy to share this life-changing method with other children and their families.
Since then, we have expanded with the needs of the children and families we work with and now offer Occupational Therapy. This was introduced to further enhance the wonderful work our Conductors do, aiming to better help our wonderful children reach their full potentials!
Our Values
Potential
Everyone can learn and we always focus on what a child and/or young person can do, rather than what they can’t.
Compassion
We’re a caring, inclusive community and offer a warm welcome to all.
Collaboration
We work in close partnership and collaboration with families, healthcare and educational professionals in order to provide the most holistic care to our children.
Commitment
We are committed to providing the right environment and support to our children, volunteers and staff to encourage them to build on existing skills.
Resourcefulness
Our adaptable, creative and resourceful approach aims to meet our children’s needs and provides value for money for our supporters.
Our Team
Nora Bajaki-Sipos
Nora is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment wherever she goes. She graduated as a Conductor-Preschool teacher from the Andras Peto Institute of Conductive Education and College for Conductor Training in 2011. In 2015, she completed a master’s degree in Teacher of Inclusive Education.
Nora joined the Whoopsadaisy team in August 2018 and has been working towards creating a supportive and nurturing community. After a short break she returned in March 2024 and now works as Lead Conductor with all age groups, focusing on personalised development and fostering independence.
In her free time, Nora loves exploring historical places across the country with her husband.
Caroline Matanle
Caroline is the longest serving in-house staff member at Whoopsadaisy. Caroline is our Corporate and Community Fundraiser and has become a familiar face across the city through her tireless work to promote Whoopsadaisy and make sure its services can keep running smoothly.
When she is not at Whoopsadaisy, Caroline enjoys walking along the seafront with friends and the dog she borrows and holidaying every year on Paxos.
Helen Peel
Helen has been a fundraiser for many years, and has worked with a wide range of charities. As a freelance consultant, specialising in trust fundraising, her role focuses on building long-term relationships with the many charitable trusts and grant-makers who support Whoopsadaisy’s work.
In her spare time Helen can usually be found watching live music, looking for bargains in charity shops or walking by the sea.
Shonge Holdgate
Shonge has been working in the charity sector for many years at a strategic level focusing on financial and project management. This has included the development and delivery of inclusive services for children & young people with disabilities. Shonge is inspired by Whoopsadaisy’s integration of conductive education, occupational therapy and its unique package of support to children with physical disabilities. She completed an MBA which gave her the opportunity to research and explore the relationship between strategic management and stakeholder involvement in charity organisations.
Henrietta Durden
Henrietta Durden (Hetta) graduated with a master’s in Psychology from the University of Sussex. She has worked and volunteered in sessions and at the holiday club!
Hetta loves working as a member of the Whoopsadaisy team, helping children to reach and achieve their goals.
When Hetta’s not at Whoopsadaisy, she loves running along the sea front, walking around the South Downs and generally exploring the outdoors!
Sarah Capps
Sarah is our Paediatric Occupational Therapist at Whoopsadaisy. She has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and has placement experience in various paediatric settings (ranging from schools to specialist clinical services).
Sarah originally joined Whoopsadaisy as a volunteer and strives to continue supporting the children and families in her role.
Sarah is passionate about promoting the health and wellbeing of children, and encouraging their independence through meaningful activities.
When not at Whoopsadaisy, Sarah enjoys going to concerts, going on long walks, spending time with family and loves a good Disney movie!