成人论坛

Specialism: Education

Term of membership: May 2023 – May 2026

Jane Bell is Chief Executive at InFocus Charity, a specialist charity supporting young people with vision impairment and complex needs based in Exeter. Prior to this, Jane was the founder CEO of Shared Lives South West, an award winning charity championing the amazing social care model of Shared Lives. In her 33-year charity leader career, Jane has also been deputy CEO and Director of Care at the Alzheimer’s Society, and a director for Rethink.

Jane has always chosen to work for charities that empower people with disability or long-term health conditions to have choice and control, and to live life to the full, no matter what the barriers. As one of its services, InFocus runs a specialist FE college in Exeter for young people with vision impairment and complex needs so Jane has a knowledge of the SEND sector. She is a director of NATSPEC, the Special FE Colleges network, representing the SW region. Alongside her CEO role Jane is a mentor for ACEVO, has been a mentor and assessor for Charity Works and is currently taking a coaching diploma, with the aim of supporting aspiring and new third sector leaders, something she is passionate about.

Jane has a BSC in Psychology and an MA in Equal Opportunities. She lives in Exmouth, Devon and has two more or less adult children, and two dogs.