About Us

parentsactive and its membership have grown over the years and we have conducted numerous events and workshops relevant to disabled children and their families.

parentsactive has been further strengthened by the grant from Aiming High for Disabled children. The first phase was spent in organising a very successful Fun Day highlighted by the signing of the Every Disabled Child Matters Charter by H&F Council which parentsactive had actively campaigned for. The second phase of the grant has enabled us to offer training to parents and see our parent’s forum grow. We are keen to encourage more parents/carers to become members of steering and monitoring groups to develop services for disabled children and their families.

parentsactive is coordinated by two paid officers who are supported by a steering committee of volunteer parents. The steering committee meets once every 6 weeks and help plan activities and put strategies in place.

Please do join our steering committee; we always welcome new members on board.

Do meet our officers and the committee…

The Officers...

Parent Carer Advocate: Amanda Roles — I began working for parentsactive in 2002 initially as the coordinator and now as an advocate for parents/carers of disabled children. My disabled son is almost 18 and beginning his transfer to adult services. It is so important for families with disabled children to have relevant, timely information and support. It is fantastic that the organisation has grown both in membership and provision since it’s inception by a few parents who understood how raising concerns as a group was much more effective than as a lone voice.

Nandini Ganesh —  I am the part time coordinator for parentsactive. I joined the organisation in 2007 and work 12 hours a week.  As part of my role I am in constant touch with parents through emails, newsletters, events and the quarterly newsletter. All the planning and coordination is done on a consultative basis and I am supported by my steering committee that contributes and supports the work that I do. As part of my work I also liaise with other relevant organisation and parent groups.

The Steering group...

Chair - Mary Melsom

Vice Chair - Jasmine Rubens

Secretary- Nandini Ganesh

Treasurer- Amanda Roles

Committee Members- Stuart Walker, Hayley Wedgbury, Marie Canning, Debbie Krieger

Newly Elected Member - Teresa Thomas

Stuart Walker — I am Production Designer in Film and Television. Started career at the BBC but eventually left to become an independent freelance designer. I am married to Francesca and we have a son Jack who is now fifteen and has a diagnosis of atypical autism. It was evident at an early age that Jack had difficulty in making sense of the world and through meeting other parents also struggling to support their children we eventually became part of a small group that decided to form parentsactive in order to campaign for greater understanding of special needs. I have been a member and participant in the steering group since its inception in December 2002 and offer myself for re election for one more year.

Mary Melsom — I am the mother of three children. Tom, the oldest, is 10 and has autism. He also suffered from leukaemia from the age of 3 to 7 and is now fine. I started attending parentsactive coffee mornings about two years ago and have found have them a great source emotional and practical of support. It is a huge to comfort meet other parents with similar experiences. I am currently the Chair of the steering group

Jasmine Rubens — I have been a committee member for two years now and in that time a lot of positive things have occurred. The Parentsactive Fun Days, coffee mornings and SEN. days are raising awareness of disabled children’s issues within

the borough. I feel that our voices are finally being heard within the Local authority and that we are now been viewed more as partners. However, we need to to keep the impetus going and attract more hands-on participation from our members to keep these issues to the fore.

Marie Canning — Hi, I have a six year old son who has autism. I've been attending parents active coffee mornings for more than two years. I've enjoyed meeting other parents who have the same or similar issues as myself.

I try to attend every week where possible. It can be very informative and helpful when we have the guest speakers and a great opportunity to get and give advice to other parents. When my son was just diagnosed I did not know where to go. Another parent introduced me to parentsactive and since attending has helped me through some difficult times.

I have now joined the steering committee because I would like to help to make a change where we can and look forward to being part of the new committee

Hayley Wedgbury — parentsactive have been a huge support and inspiration to me and my 4 year old daughter Mia who has cerebral palsy. I am proud to support them as they continue their work in supporting families of children with disabilities and look forward to being part of the new committee

Debbie Krieger — I have been attending coffee morning for the past two years and have been member of parentsactive Steering Committee for a year. I have met remarkable parents who have been a shoulder to lean on in times of need and a great source of support when you need it. My son has improved so much and I look forward to being part of the committee and supporting other parents like myself