Parent Carer Conference – Sat 23 Mar 2024 Booking Now Closed

How we work

Each member of Family Voice Norfolk has a part to play, but it can be as little or large as suits each person.

Board

Family Voice Norfolk is guided by a voluntary Board, which meets at least monthly. Members are voted for at the Annual General Meeting, but can also be co-opted at any time. The present Board members are:

Tracey Sismey

Tracey Sismey

Chair

Alison Furniss

Alison Furniss

Treasurer

Lorraine DeVere

Lorraine DeVere

Vice Chair and Data Protection Officer

Rachel Clarke

Ambassadors and Representatives Lead

Kirsty Gannon

Board member

Administration

Our Administration Manager, Membership Administrator, Social Media Administrator and Family Voice Co-ordinator play a vital part in what we do. Gemma manages the day-to-day administration of Family Voice and is particularly involved in organising parent participation events and our ambassadors’ activities. Kate is the main contact for new members and for keeping in touch with the experiences and concerns of our membership. Lisa handles our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram engagement, while Rachel is the contact for those requiring a Family Voice representative at a meeting or to offer feedback on proposed communications and surveys. She liaises with all our representatives and co-ordinates our Family Voice calendar.

Kate Draycott

Membership Administrator

Lisa Lonergan

Social Media Administrator

Rachel Clarke

Family Voice Co-ordinator

Gita Bose

Family Voice Administration Assistant

Family Voice Norfolk representatives

Our representatives ensure that the views of Family Voice members are heard by the local authority, health services, social care services and other service providers. They work in co-production with these bodies

  • to produce information
  • to improve provision and develop strategy
  • to voice the views of parent carers and families at meetings
  • to seek out new opportunities for positive change
  • to represent Norfolk at regional and national parent carer forums.

Family Voice Norfolk ambassadors

Hearing from our members and spreading the word about Family Voice Norfolk is the job of our ambassadors. They attend events at which parents and carers of children and young people with SEND are likely to be present. Since March 2020, many meetings with parent carers have been online. This has enabled us to organise events at which families can speak directly to professionals to gain information and give their views.

Family Voice Norfolk members

Our members are our strength. It is their voices that inform and inspire our work in representing their needs and views to decision-makers and planners. The more families tell us about their experiences, the more effective we can be.

Anyone who is closely concerned with a child or young person aged 0–25 with SEND who lives or receives services in Norfolk is very welcome to join. Membership is free.

We never make demands on members, but we are always grateful to hear their views and experiences.

There are also many opportunities to help by filling in a quick questionnaire, replying to an email or attending local meetings.

Find out more about membership