Who
We Are
Our Team
Meet Michelle and Sydney, a passionate and dedicated duo leading a thriving charity supporting individuals with Down syndrome or additional needs. Their unwavering commitment and creative spirits have made them a beacon of hope for countless families.
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Michelle Tohill
CEO and Founder
In 2015, while working at a day service for people with special educational needs (SEN) in Harlow, I discovered the need for greater personalisation. I approached my local MP and Essex County Council, but they couldn't fund any new services.
In 2016, I invested my savings and established ASL. We opened a summer club for people with SEN, and the response was overwhelming. I registered ASL with Essex County Council as a service provider for people with SEN, and we moved into larger permanent premises at The Priory in Ware.
In 2019, we opened our second location at Chobham Manor at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to create a training academy and employment opportunities for people with additional needs.
Sydney Devereaux
Corporate Partnerships Manager
My journey to ASL started as a manifestation of a feeling that I should be working somewhere more meaningful. I couldn’t have found a more fulfilling place to spend the last few years.
The genuine love, passion, purpose and drive that has built ASL and Bridget’s Cafe into what it is today is something that I will always be grateful for being a part of.
Because of the work that is invested into the adults with Down syndrome and additional needs that ASL supports, I now believe in a world that is fair and inclusive, with a brighter future for all.