What do we do?

• We celebrate and share good practice and success
• We give children, young people and their families a voice in planning and change
• We run parent network groups
• We provide information and training for parents
• We provide inclusion training for professionals
• We hold events for parents, children and young people
• We are listened to and taken seriously by local services
• We listen to the views of families, children and young people and work together with service providers to make a difference in Calderdale
• We influence policy at strategic level
• We draw attention to Human Rights and other legislation to support our aims.

Our Successes

People want to work with us because we make a difference. Since we started in 2001 we have become an award-winning, user-led voluntary organisation.

Look at some of things our group has achieved:

• The Young Disabled People’s Forum was established
• Parents can now apply for small grants to help them enjoy their breaks
• Short Break Services have been made available to foster and adoptive parents
• Accessible play equipment has been installed in parks
• Our team of disability equality trainers deliver training to a broad range of professionals and parents
• We have held a number of successful conferences
• Access to leisure was made a Calderdale Council priority
• Parents wrote Calderdale’s Inclusion Model
• We have been involved in including our children in summer schemes
• Parents have been on our empowerment courses and gained confidence
• Recognition nationally and invitations to help other authorities replicate our model of working
• Lots of parents have met each other at family events and information sessions.

The Committee

• Andy Clarke
• Donna Elliott
• David Fielden (Vice Chair)
• Phil Kirk (Treasurer)
• Liz Leadbeater (Co-Chair)
• Sue McGibney
• Helen Norris
• Lauren Pearcey
• Gillian Whittaker
• Nick Wigmore (Co-Chair)

The Paid Workers

• Chris Easton, CEO
• Katie Clarke, Policy and Development Officer
• Karen Bull, Project Manager
• Tanya Wormald, Volunteer Co-ordinator
• Anne Pearcey, Business Support and Communications Officer

Office Hours

The office is usually manned every weekday during school hours. We are now open during school holidays. All paid staff work on a family-friendly, flexible basis. There is an answering machine if we are not around when you call and we will always return your call. There is also a mobile phone number for people booked onto events over the school holidays to contact if needed – 07719 966100.

Please note that this phone is not checked regularly so if you need to contact us urgently leave a message on the answering machine.