We have Regional Family Co-ordinators in
Cornwall/Devon/Somerset/North Somerset/Bristol and Dorset, Surrey / Kent, Essex,
Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire/ Bedfordshire, The West Midlands and
Norfolk / Cambridgeshire / Suffolk.
It has planned to have a full nationwide team by 2009.
Move the mouse over the pictures to read about the co-ordinators.
It has planned to have a full nationwide team by 2009.
Move the mouse over the pictures to read about the co-ordinators.
The primary task of the Family Co-ordinators is to provide as much wide-ranging support as possible to families in order to best help them achieve the maximum development of their child by sustaining their commitment to the Brainwave Programme.
Co-ordinators will maintain as much contact as the family wants through visits, phone calls, emails and newsletters. They will research and provide local and national useful disability information, and arrange opportunities for families to connect throughout their region through social activities.
Importantly, they are in constant contact with the therapy team to ensure families remain fully comfortable and confident in carrying out the Brainwave Programme.
Ceri Collins, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Bedfordshire
Contact details:
t. 0560 2699 005
m. 0789 4424312
e:
Ceri has a wide experience of working with families and children of all ages, from her training as a Nursery Nurse through to running a children's boarding house for 30 challenging teenagers. Her work has involved caring for children with Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Encephalitis, Spina Bifida and other Special Learning Difficulties. Her involvement in charity publicity and marketing adds a definite edge to her Family Newsletters! Ceri has two daughters.
Gerry Gould, Essex and edges of Greater London.
Also currently supporting families in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.
Contact details:
t. 01268 561784
m. 07725 956014
e.
Gerry has several years experience in the Care Sector, including Service Manager in the mental health field, managing Homeless Projects in Essex, Outreach Officer for adult service users with learning disabilities and their relative carers, as well as Advocacy and Mentoring. Gerry's local knowledge of Essex and dynamic personality make her a tremendous asset to the team. Gerry has two sons.
Sharon Russell, Devon and Cornwall
Contact details:
t. 01271 831 500
m. 07811 177342
e.
Sharon served in The Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service for 22 years prior to joining Brainwave, where she specialised in paediatrics. She served both here and overseas, most recently as one of the Aeromedical evacuation teams in Nasrha, Iraq. After leaving the PMRAFNS, Sharon worked on the paediatric unit at the Capio Reading Hospital. Her training within the RAF has added greatly to her skill in addressing community groups when asked to give talks about the work of Brainwave. Sharon has two small boys.
Joanna Sladden, The West Midlands
Contact details:
t.
m. 07725 956012
e.
Joanna has been able to bring her considerable experience and training in interpersonal skills and providing support to individuals and families to her Family Co-ordinator role. Before joining Brainwave, Joanna worked for the North Birmingham Primary Care Trust and is still actively involved with the National Childbirth Trust as an antenatal teacher. Joanna has two young children.
Gail Thurley, Surrey, Kent and Sussex
Contact details:
t. 01483 429450
m. 077259 56013
e.
Gail has been heavily involved with the National Childbirth Trust and held the position of Goldalming & District branch chair for three years, whilst also running a Mother and Toddler group. Prior to joining Brainwave, Gail enjoyed her work as a Special Needs Assistant and brings a wealth of energy and previous commercial administrative and organisational skill to her role. Gail has two children.
Alison Penman Cornwall/Devon/Somerset/North Somerset/Bristol and Dorset
Contact details.
t. 01823 433591
m. 07714 999414
e.
Alison has had 16 years experience of working for the NHS as an EEG technician. This has brought her into contact with people having a wide range of disabilites; adults and children alike. Her main area of expertise is epilepsy. She has 2 boys, both of whom have been adopted. One has spastic diplegia and the other has developmental co-ordination disorder. This allows Alison to understand and empathise with families about how difficult it can be living with a child with a disability.
FAMILIES
"Such a very positive experience for us all. The individual attention your child gets is second to none."
DOWN SYNDROME TESTIMONIAL - EMMA
I think Brainwave is brilliant. I'd been looking for this type of help, and although it took me three years, I know I've found it.
The therapists are fantastic; they are so supportive. At the Initial Assessment, they really gave us hope and made us feel there is something we can do to help Emma. They were there to help us, and to teach us how to help Emma.
So many people you see suggest that you do a bit of this, or that you do that, it can become quite mind-boggling. To have a clear and structured programme written down in a simple list that you know is addressing all her areas of development, is brilliant. You know then that you're doing as much as you can.
Although Emma had just taken a few steps when we started Brainwave a couple of months ago, I still can't quite get my head around seeing her walking about now. We started with working on her balance, and now she's doing so well.
I think Brainwave is brilliant. I'd been looking for this type of help, and although it took me three years, I know I've found it.
The therapists are fantastic; they are so supportive. At the Initial Assessment, they really gave us hope and made us feel there is something we can do to help Emma. They were there to help us, and to teach us how to help Emma.
So many people you see suggest that you do a bit of this, or that you do that, it can become quite mind-boggling. To have a clear and structured programme written down in a simple list that you know is addressing all her areas of development, is brilliant. You know then that you're doing as much as you can.
Although Emma had just taken a few steps when we started Brainwave a couple of months ago, I still can't quite get my head around seeing her walking about now. We started with working on her balance, and now she's doing so well.