21st anniversary of Rochdale’s Parent Carers Voice

One of the first organisations set up to ensure local services meet the needs of children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and their families has celebrated its 21st anniversary.

Run by parent carers with lived experience, the Rochdale Parent Carers Voice was set up in 2003.

Now it sits under the National Network of Parent Carer Forums, and is a community interest company (CIC) supporting children and young people with SEND up to the age of 25 years.

As a CIC, it aims to gather the views of families in the borough, and share them with local services to make positive changes and improvements. The group also celebrates good practice and success and works collaboratively with the local authority, health, local services, support groups and charities to help meet the needs of families.

To celebrate its success and 21st anniversary, Rochdale Parent Carers Voice held an event at their space on the second floor of Spotland Bridge Mill and asked families beforehand to nominate their ‘Rochdale Parent Carers Voice Community Hero’ – someone they felt had made a difference on their SEND journey.

Nominations were received for 29 schools and school staff, four early years settings and staff, six local authority staff, four health professionals, four support services and their volunteers and staff, and 14 members of the community.

Each nominee received an award and certificate presented at the event or delivered personally.

Three very special awards went to long-standing members of the organisation: directors Helen Walton and Carole Lindridge, and former director Marie. The three women have now also set up a 25+ adult family forum to support families who have moved from the 0-25-year SEND strategy.

 

 

A balloon arch by Annie Cullen, Unique Balloons, was donated, as was a 21st birthday cake by Colourful Minds director, Zoe McGuirk.

Justin Axon, extended schools co-ordinator of Redwood School, was awarded a community hero award. He said: “Receiving a Community Hero Award from Rochdale Parent Carers Voice is truly one of the highlights of my career.

“I've worked with and advocated for children and young people with SEND and their families for 18 years now - so at this stage of my career, to be recognised by this fantastic group of people, all parents and carers of children with SEND, is incredible and humbling.

“I am, and will be, forever grateful for all you have taught me and use my experience to continue to help and support those I have dedicated my career to – thank you.”