I’m a Co-Chair of the PCF alongside Amanda H. I attend a range of meetings with our LA, Health and local services.

I’m a mam to 2 teenagers, my oldest has a rare syndrome, resulting in a host of complex medical issues and multi-sensory impairments. The hospital was often home in those early years with surgeries and procedures, so I left my career and became a full-time parent-carer. Now a teenager, she attends a mainstream secondary school with support, and I’m working as a family coordinator for a local charity that supports children with SEND.

I joined the PCF to give back help that had been given to me, to be part of a community that supports others when challenges come and to celebrate the not so little things together! I believe our lived experiences should be heard and have a fundamental part in shaping support and services, so that experiences improve for future families and SEND provision. We all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by the system. I hope being part of the PCF will help make the road a little easier for others.

I’m the Co‑Chair of the forum and also look after our admin. I run our peer support sessions at the Blaydon Winlaton Family Hub every Tuesday and Thursday during term time and lead our coffee mornings in the Metrocentre each month.

I’m mam to three boys, two of whom have SEND needs including, Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and Epilepsy, Bladder & Bowel problems and sleep difficulties. They both attend specialist schools in Gateshead.

Eight years ago, I stepped away from my career in Finance to become a full‑time carer for my boys.

I’m passionate about using my lived experience and understanding of SEND to support other families. Navigating this journey can feel overwhelming, especially in the early days, and I hope to help make it a little easier for those walking a similar path.

I’m the Co-Vice Chair of the forum, and I also look after our social media accounts. I represent the PCF at our monthly meetings with the LA.

I’m mum to my son, who suffered a birth injury and has complex medical and SEND needs. He attends a special school in Gateshead. 8 years ago, I stepped away from my career as a senior leader in Education. I still work part-time in schools, working as an intervention tutor for GCSE English students.

I found the PCF at a time when I had just moved back into Gateshead and did not have a support network. By being part of the PCF Steering Group, I aim to help other parent carers find their network by helping them to connect with services, community and support.

I’m a Co‑Vice Chair of the forum and our Leisure Lead. You’ll usually find me at our Metrocentre coffee mornings and running the craft table at our Summer and Christmas parties. I also represent the PCF at the monthly Gateshead SEND Strategic Board meeting.

I have one son who is Autistic and attends a specialist school. In addition to my volunteer role with the PCF, I work full-time as a Principal Business Analyst in the NHS.

I’m passionate about SEND access to sport and leisure opportunities, using my lived experience and feedback from other families to improve accessibility and availability.

The SEND issue closest to my heart is that every family that needs and wants them should have access to local swimming lessons that meet the needs of their SEND child. Having had a 52-mile round trip to access suitable swimming lessons when my son was younger, I will die on that hill!

I’m a parent of two and a member of the Steering Group for the Parent Carer Forum. My eldest has multiple medical conditions, Autism, and a Learning Disability, which introduced me to the world of SEND parenting.

The support I received from other parent carers early on showed me the power of shared experience. I’m passionate about ensuring families’ voices shape the services that support them. 

I’m an active representative of the forum at the coffee mornings at the Metrocentre and special events for the families.

I’m mam to two girls, one who has a diagnosis of Autism and is awaiting assessment for ADHD. My daughters attend mainstream schools in Gateshead. I work as a part time shift worker in the NHS working a mixture of days and nights.

I joined the steering group when we received our diagnosis. I felt that support was hard to find, and if I could help signpost other parents or just be a support/listening ear to them at such an emotional time, it might just give parents time to breathe.

I am a member of the steering group and a parent of five children. Four of my children have been diagnosed with autism, three have EHCPs, two attend specialist schools, and I previously home educated one of my children.

After more than five years of advocating to ensure my children received the appropriate support for their individual needs, I developed a strong understanding of the SEND system and the challenges many families face. I chose to use this knowledge and experience to help support other parents navigating similar journeys.

You’ll often find me chatting (probably a little too much!) at our monthly coffee mornings. I also attend monthly meetings with the local authority and spend time out in the community supporting families at our autism hubs.

I am a member of the Parent Carer Forum Steering Group and a mum to two young boys. My five-year-old son is autistic and has learning disabilities, ARFID, sensory processing difficulties, and is non-verbal. He attends a specialist school that supports his needs.

Becoming his mum has given me an understanding of the challenges families can face when navigating support systems, education, and everyday life with a child who has additional needs. I previously worked for the NHS, but I made the decision to leave my role in order to become a full-time carer for my son.

Through my role on the steering group, I hope to use my lived experience to help support other parents and carers, ensuring their voices are heard and that families feel less alone in their journeys. I am passionate about sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and helping improve the support available for children with additional needs and their families.

I’m Amanda Q, a specialist teacher of autism and behaviour with over 20 years of experience supporting children and young people. My career began in the United States, where I worked in a residential high‑dependency unit for students with SEN and SEMH needs. When I returned to the UK, I went on to qualify in Specific Literacy Difficulties, Assessment and Access Arrangements, and Educational Testing.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in a wide range of settings. I’ve supported young offenders, contributed to the development of the new PMLD curriculum, and provided extensive autism outreach across both primary and secondary schools. I’m also proud to be part of the Gateshead Parent Carer Forum Steering Group, where I work alongside families to strengthen local SEND services and ensure parent voice is heard in strategic planning and decision‑making. Outside of work, life is full of energy thanks to my two lively children. If I’m not standing pitch‑side at rugby or football, you’ll probably find me at Bravo Drama or the local trampoline park. To unwind, I try to convince my little dog Norman that long walks are fun, or I settle down with a good mystery novel or a comedy podcast.