Meet the Team

Part of my role as Senior Partnership Manager with Energize is to support the development of our work for children and young people, targeting inequalities which exist that can limit young people from being physically active and benefiting from the outcomes being active can provide. Within Actio I am the lead representative for our contract with Shropshire Council for the ‘All In Short Breaks’ project and support the ongoing development of this project.

Having previously worked in Shropshire Council’s Disabled Children’s Team and volunteering with a charity that provides opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and their families, I am excited about the development of Actio and the positive changes we hope to achieve.

Most importantly I am a parent carer of a child with SEND. I manage our communications and engagement work (I do the geeky things with the website and data systems). I also help Actio keep to our shared vision of a more accessible community for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities by finding opportunities for us to broaden our offer.

I have worked in the SEND sector as a volunteer since 2010 and now work locally, regionally, and nationally to help families receive the best services and support for their children with SEND.

You might see me at some of the activities from time to time, so please come over and say hello!

I am a parent carer to five young men with a range of additional needs who keep me very busy!  I first got involved in parent carer participation in 2008, when I was part of a small group who established Shropshire PACC.  I am now the Participation Lead for PACC, which means I generally spend my time making a pest of myself, asking how parent carers are being involved in local decision making and service planning.  I also work nationally supporting the development of parent carer participation in other areas. Ensuring the voices of parent carers and children & young people with SEND are heard is central to Actio’s work and it is my role to  make sure that happens.

During my career as a Social Worker, I developed a comprehensive awareness of the importance of prevention, often identifying community resources that could retain the individuals link with society due to the benefits this has with their improved psychological and emotional wellbeing. I have personal experience of the seeing the benefits that community activities can have on a young person with SEND needs and understand the stigma and discrimination that a person may encounter. I remain passionate about addressing inequalities and my role as an Empowering Communities Manager allows me to work collaboratively with organisations and groups to help address inequalities individuals could experience when accessing physical activity. I’m the main point of contact for the activity providers contracted as part of the All in Short Breaks provision and really enjoy seeing the amazing sessions they have to offer.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and my two very hyperactive dogs, a boxer and a springer spaniel!

I started working at Shropshire PACC in May 2021, having previously worked in Community Pharmacies, in various Retail positions and Administration roles. I am a single parent carer to a son who is currently going through the process of an Autism diagnosis. I am one of 4 children, including a younger sister with Down Syndrome, and have a Rotti/Staffi called Pig. 

In 2016 I found the balance of working full-time work whilst supporting my son to be too much and returned to university as a mature student to study Applied Psychology, graduating with a First BSC (Hons). I then completed a Msc in Forensic Psychology. 

My favourite part about working for PACC is getting to work with such amazing and supportive colleagues. 

I am passionate about inclusion and addressing the inequalities that exist within our communities. Having a background within both the community health and sport sector,  I have worked for over 10 years within Shropshire communities, working specifically with children and adults with disabilities along with their family members and carers to understand and address the barriers in improving peoples physical health and wellbeing.

I have worked with Energize for 7 years now, as our Empowering Communities Manager, whilst also contract managing the All In Short Breaks project with colleague Harry.

Personally, I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs in the outdoors, and enjoy lots of baking!