Meet The Team

I have been involved in developing parent carer participation locally, regionally and nationally since 2007 when I was a founder member of the Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC). I was invited to join the task force to establish the National Network of Parent Carer Forums in 2010 and served as a representative for the West Midlands Regional Network of Forums and Co-Chaired the NNPCF for several years. I continue to support the development of participation nationally as an independent consultant.

My family moved to Shropshire in 2000, just after the birth of my second son, Owen, who was diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder at the age of 3 months old. This experience changed our lives and we started a very different journey. I now have 3 birth sons and two foster sons and a wide range of lived experience in terms of SEND.

As a family we have benefited from the support of the SEND community, both locally and from further afield and I have learnt how important it is for families to be valued as true partners when planning support and services. This is why I have continued to support PACC and to promote Parent Carer participation.

I started working at Shropshire PACC in May 2021, having previously worked in Community Pharmacies, and in various Retail positions and Administrations roles. I am a single parent carer to a son who has a diagnosis of Autism with Pathological Demand Avoidance profile. I am one of 4 children and have a younger sister with Down Syndrome. In 2016 I found the balance of working full-time work whilst supporting my son and returned to university as a mature student to study Applied Psychology, graduating with a First BSC (Hons). I then completed a MScs in Forensic Psychology.
My key areas of interest are Autism, Social Opportunities, Inclusion in Mainstream settings and Preparation for Adulthood. I have completed IPSEA training Level 1, 2 and 3. In 2022, I lead on PACC’s Preparation for Adulthood Navigator Project and have helped over 400 Parent Carers to Navigate their Child/ Young Person’s Journey. I also created PACC’s PFA Guide to help families to understand legislation and the Support available in Shropshire.
I LOVE Christmas, and the highlight of my year is planning PACC’s SEND Santa Experience!

I provide administrative support to the team across all strategic work areas. My role primarily is triaging incoming contact from Parent Carers and directing these to the best team member to respond to appropriately, providing signposting and information, and distributing our key communications. You will likely receive most of your emails from me!

My role in PACC is coordinating and delivering project support across the PINS programme and our schools forums work. I work alongside Sarah Thomas, as the Influence & Change Lead, to ensure that our aspirations and outcomes are delivered as part of the PINS programme.

I am married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren, and a very large dog.

I have a 21 year old daughter with down syndrome and a 10 year old grandson with ASD.

I am a keen gardener and allotment owner, a retired civil servant, and I love a list!

As a community support Parent Carer representative and volunteer, I support the development and delivery of PACCs Healthy Lives Program and facilitate the Buddies Social Network.

I support the development of the Healthy Lives Program and facilitating the Buddies Jnr Social Network. I am a Parent Carer and support PACC as a Community Support Volunteer.