Meet the Team behind LPCF

I have grown up twins; one with Cerebral Palsy (CP). From November 2007 to 2016 I served as Vice Chair before taking up the chairs position. The best bit about LPCF for me is supporting parents, giving them lots of information and organising events for them to gain as much information as possible.

This relates to the fact that when my daughter was diagnosed I was given little information about Cerebral Palsy and I became a regular at the library, reading anything and everything I could!! My pet hate - for me it has to be meetings that don't achieve an outcome.

My strengths -organisational skills, patience!
My weaknesses -have a constant chimp on my shoulder! What the LPCF has given me? More confidence in my own abilities, feeling of belonging and that I am not alone, helpful strategies through the parent's workshops and lots of useful information!

What I have learnt along the way - it's useful to have a sense of humour and be able to laugh at yourself and believe you me, I have had plenty of opportunity!!

My name is Lorraine and I am a retired Community Midwife. I am carer for my eleven year old Grandson who has complex needs including ASD, ADHD, learning delay and attachment disorder.

My decision to join the volunteer team was based on the brilliant work they do, being the voice of carers and organising signposting and information days.

What I can offer is a knowledge of the NHS and how Health Organisations can impact of families facing the many and varied challenges our children give us on a daily basis

Originally I went to one of the LPCF coffee mornings when my youngest child went to primary school and offered to do some voluntary work for the group.

I now attend many meetings, meet with Service Providers, Local Authority, Workshops, large events and I am still learning new things, as well as helping other Parent/Carers by letting them know what information/support is out there for them.

My background was in Community nursing.

I am a mum of 3 girls and the eldest is a young adult with Severe Learning Difficulties, complex needs and GDD and after 11 years of asking was diagnosed with ASD.

My child has the mental age of a 5/6 year old, inside a young adult body which presents many challenging problems now and in the future.

My name is Carol and I am a Grandma of a child with Cerebral Palsy. I joined the LPCF in 2012 as they help to support families of children with disabilities around Lincolnshire.

I help them by giving practical help at their Parent Workshops and Information events and help to sustain them through fundraising by joining their lottery club.
I enjoy baking cakes for the events.

I love being part of their group and have learnt a lot about being part of a family with extra challenges.

I am a parent of three children, one of whom has a diagnosis of ASD.

My background is in nursing.

Since 2011 I have attended the LPCF Coffee Events, on and off before deciding to volunteer to help other parents and let them know they are not alone.

Paul is an experienced member of the team and his support is valuable in ensuring the Charity fulfils its obligations.

I have two girls Chloe and Emma who are both now adults. One of the reasons I wanted to become a Trustee of this wonderful group is because of the support they offered me over the years as one of my children has a genetic disorder.

Also, I wanted to offer my experience as an Early Years Teacher especially with my skills and knowledge relating to the challenges faced by children and their families.

The social side of LPCF is something I love, getting the opportunity to chat with like minded people and not forgetting the delicious cakes that are always on offer from the marvellous Carol.

I’m a dad and primary carer to a young child with ASD, a journey that has taken me all the way to university and shaped my passion for supporting children with SEND.

My goal is to work in this field, as I believe that while education is vital, nothing provides the same insight into both the challenges and joys as lived experience as a SEND parent.

Alongside my wife and our two other children, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that the right support can make.
I was deeply impressed by the work LPCF do and felt inspired to contribute in any way I can.

Hello! I’m Dee, a proud mum of four children, one of whom has Global Developmental Delay (GDD).

I used to work as a jeweller in Northern Ireland and had the amazing opportunity to work with the Prince’s Trust. I’ve always had a love for learning new skills, and becoming a support worker has been a long-time aspiration of mine.

These days, I enjoy reading, DIY projects, and spending time with my family – although I have to say, my dog is definitely more work than the kids! I also used to make wedding cakes, so I’m always happy to help out at LPCF events with something sweet.

I live with own conditions, which gives me a real understanding of some of the daily challenges families can face. I’ve been a member of LPCF for many years and decided to take the next step by becoming a volunteer.

I absolutely love being part of the team – everyone is included, and there’s a genuine sense of support and teamwork between parents and professionals.

As I have a disability myself I know how important it is to be able to access the help and support that LPCF provide for parents and carers.

This is why I offered to volunteer for LPCF.

My previous experience of being Co Chair of Lincolnshire Young Voices has enabled me to use my lived experience of having a disability to get the voices of people with disabilities heard.

You will hopefully see me out and about with the LPCF stand!
Come say hello!

My name is Gautham Bijoy . I am currently studying for my degree, and love everything to do wit automobiles and aircraft.

Trying to learn how things work and asking the why question is something I find fascinating and rewarding.

My younger bother who requires SEND support which is how I came to know of LPCF and decided to volunteer.

As a teacher, headteacher, and trainer of teachers and headteachers across the UK, I have had the privilege of following my passion across a wide range of settings - that being the support and encouragement of all learners, of any age and ability, to progress and develop.

It’s been a pleasure to work with members of LPCF over the past decade. I love supporting parents and carers, and exploring with them various mindsets, skills, strategies, and some of the challenges they face. It certainly keeps my little grey cells going!

As a retired Children's Services worker of 30 years I initially came across LPCF by providing their Website and Database management, although I was aware of their existence previously.

In my past life I worked within Youth Centres and Careers Centres (Connexions) and was always on a mission to address Discrimination and Equality, especially having experienced its impact on people within my life.

At 15 my (then) stepson was suddenly, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and it was a game changer for all concerned.

Moving on to the present my latest partner had with a child with CP whom I still enjoy and treasure. A genuine hidden gem ! !

My eyes have stretched wide open by the challenges, as I came to realise the enormity of raising disabled youngsters even into their adulthood.

The main difficulties of raising a child with disabilities, in my view, are often not the disability, they are the hurdles and hoops parents have to overcome to get even the most basic movement from providers and the lack of co-ordination between services run by professionals

And so it was I have chosen to volunteer to assist and help Lincolnshire’s Parent Carers for the past several years.

I have practical and theoretical understanding of SEND.

I have worked with children of all ages, from babies through to Post 16 whilst working as a teacher, nursery nurse and childminder in the past.

Essentially I am a mum. I have (and still do) need support from time to time to help my children thrive, and I want to pass that support on to others who need it too.

Volunteering with LPCF seems the best way to show my gratitude and ‘pass it on’!

With over five years of experience working in a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children with a wide range of needs and abilities.

My passion for SEND deepened even further when I became a parent—my son, now almost 4 years old, has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Navigating the world of SEND as both a professional and a parent has given me a unique perspective. I understand the emotional, practical, and sometimes overwhelming challenges that come with seeking the right support.

I’m committed to using my experience to help other families feel informed, empowered, and supported throughout their own journeys.

As I have been a carer for my sister all my life I am acutely aware of the importance of LPCF and the fact there is an organisation that parents can join to navigate them through the journey of parenting a child with SEND.

My background is one of caring and I am a qualified teacher.

I devote my spare time to helping proof read LPCF's many documents and like to help albeit in the background.

We are parents to two beautiful children.

After researching on the internet support groups for children with special needs, we came across the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum.

William visited the next coffee morning in Louth and was pleased to meet a group of like minded parents in a relaxed atmosphere over coffee. Our main interest in the forum at the time was people's own experiences of getting a statement and transition from primary to secondary school.

Since then, we have attended some very useful and informative workshops about the changes to the SEN system due to take place in September 2014.

As parents, we have made new friends, who understand and have similar experiences to ourselves, we have become much more informed and confident in what the future holds for our children as a result of being part of the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum and as a result now want to help and support other parents.

The forum is a valuable voluntary group which provides a vital link for parents who at times may feel isolated and not listened to.

I am a parent of two children, one of whom has a diagnosis of Autism.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Week of SEN the last couple of years and wanted to be a volunteer for LPCF to help other parents where I can.

This charity is the best way to do that.

I'm a proud dad to two young boys and have spent my career committed to supporting vulnerable individuals and families. My professional background began in the Criminal Justice System, but over the past decade, I've worked extensively within Children’s Services.
My focus has been on the Family Group Conference Service, with additional experience gained through a secondment in Fostering.

In May 2024, I transitioned into a core Early Help role, which has been a pivotal point in my career. It opened my eyes to the widespread need for support among children and adults navigating both diagnosed and undiagnosed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This experience has deepened my commitment to inclusive practice and early intervention.

Joining the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) is an exciting opportunity for me to expand my understanding of SEND and contribute meaningfully to the organisation.
I hope to bring both my professional insights and personal passion to help shape better outcomes for families and children.

My name is Victoria and I am a mother of beautiful children.

I discovered LPCF while trying to navigate the challenges of parenting a child with special needs

It gave me hope to discover a support network to learn and share experiences while being armed with the necessary information and resources to make things easier

I am delighted to be part of this team and will love giving back to the community and providing support for others.