The people your child will actually see

Coirle brings a wealth of experience to Gaitway — more than 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry across a range of roles, following an earlier career as a nurse. She is married to Nick and is mum to two grown-up sons.

For Coirle, though, Gaitway is about far more than experience. It is about belief. She believes that children and young people living with neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, have a great deal to offer the world, and she is deeply passionate about making sure every child has the opportunity, support and encouragement to become the best version of themselves.

Gaitway began not in an office but at home. When Alan and Rachael’s son Ronan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, they found themselves facing a future with many unanswered questions and very limited therapy support. Rather than accept those limits, they started searching — travelling, learning from international intensive therapy programmes, and connecting with other parents who shared the same determination.

The Gaitway Organisation grew out of that shared belief: that children deserve more opportunity, more support and more hope. Alan now chairs the board, working alongside the chief executive, the team, families and supporters to turn that vision into reality.

Rachael is one of the parents whose journey shaped Gaitway from the very beginning. Facing a future with very limited therapy support after her son Ronan’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, she and Alan went looking for something better — learning from intensive therapy programmes abroad and finding other parents who wanted the same for their children.

That experience as a parent remains at the heart of everything Gaitway does. As Operations Director, Rachael keeps the charity running day to day, making sure it is not just a therapy provider but a community built on understanding, trust and lived experience.

Kim has been supporting and empowering children with additional needs since 2016, working as a Special Educational Needs classroom assistant and helping young people reach their potential every day. Her interest in inclusion started earlier still, volunteering as a coach with Special Olympics, where she helped athletes build confidence, develop skills and form lasting friendships through sport. She has also worked with Cedar Foundation Children’s Services.

In 2023, after being introduced to Coirle and Rachael, Kim joined Gaitway as a Scheme Assistant and quickly became a valued part of the team. For Kim, Gaitway is more than a role — she loves being part of a team that helps children and young people grow, achieve, and believe in themselves.

Dorinda continues to support Gaitway as a specialist neurological physiotherapist, working alongside the team through our programmes.

Michelle joined Gaitway in the summer of 2026 as a paediatric neurological physiotherapist, and has hit the ground running.

A qualified Conductor since 2014, István has worked with children and families all around the world, and brings a great deal of experience, passion and positivity with him. This is his third time working with Gaitway.

What István values most is the sense of teamwork and togetherness — the way children, helpers, conductors and families come together to support one another, creating an environment where children are encouraged to push themselves, build confidence and discover what is possible. He returns each summer as part of the intensive summer programme.

Lauren joined the team as a Conductor during our summer intensive therapy programme. Although it was her first time working with Gaitway and her first visit to Northern Ireland, she brought a wealth of experience with her, having worked with children and adults in Birmingham and in Colorado, USA.

As a conductor I’ve worked with children and adults, mainly in Birmingham but also in Colorado, USA. I can’t wait to support as many children and young adults as I can to work towards and achieve their goals.

Lauren is passionate about helping children and young people work towards their individual goals. She also signs in British Sign Language and loves learning new signs.

Vera graduated as a Conductor-Teacher in 2017 and brings both specialist knowledge and a genuine passion for helping children and young people reach their goals. What she loves most about Gaitway is seeing everyone’s determination, and being part of the journey as children build confidence and develop their abilities.

Conductive Education was founded in Hungary and is internationally recognised for its approach to supporting children with cerebral palsy and neurological conditions. Having highly trained conductors like Vera working alongside our families is how that expertise reaches Northern Ireland.

Away from Gaitway, Vera spends her time with family, friends and her dogs.

Anna has been part of Gaitway for five years, and this summer there was something extra to celebrate.

After three years studying Occupational Therapy at Ulster University in Derry, she graduated in July with First Class Honours, and is now looking forward to beginning her career as an Occupational Therapist.

Anna says her years at Gaitway played an important part in getting there. Working alongside children and young adults with a range of neurological conditions gave her experience she could not have found anywhere else, and it stayed with her right through the degree — helping during the clinical placements her course required, and strengthening her understanding of how therapy supports each person as an individual.

For Anna, though, the best part of Gaitway has always been seeing the difference therapy makes. Over five years she has watched children and young people grow, pick up new skills, build confidence and reach milestones, and she has been there encouraging them the whole way.

We love seeing members of our team build their own careers, and especially when their time here helps shape the path they choose. Congratulations, Anna.

Caleb has a real passion for helping children and young people reach their full potential. Alongside his work at Gaitway, he has a strong interest in development, humanitarian work and Special Educational Needs, spending much of his time supporting children and young people across a variety of learning environments.

Gaitway is where passion meets purpose. It’s a warm place to be, and seeing children and young people on their journey towards realising their maximum potential is what defines my purpose here.

Joanne is there at so many of our events, helping, supporting and encouraging everyone around her. What many people do not see is the work she puts in behind the scenes before, during and after each one to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Her dedication, positivity and willingness to step in wherever she is needed make a real difference to the Gaitway community. Joanne embodies the values that sit at the heart of Gaitway — care, empathy, inclusion and fun.