Parents Voices in Wales
Parents Voices in Wales CIC is a group led by parents that helps other parents and carers in Wales whose children have challenges with neurodivergence and mental health. Ceri Reed started Parents Voices in Wales in 2018 because there was a gap between what families needed and what schools and services were providing. This led to Parents Voices helping to create the NEST/NYTH Framework, a plan to make sure all services work well together across Wales. One of the main ideas of the NEST/NYTH Framework is to help people create their own care plans. Parents Voices in Wales CIC helps make this happen for Gwent Neurodevelopmental Services, working with Dr. Kavitha Pasunuru, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. As part of this work, parents and carers made a digital tool called Padlet to help families whose kids are going through neurodevelopmental assessments. The Padlet is always being updated to give families the latest information about the referral process and neurodivergent conditions. Together, Gwent Neurodevelopmental Services and parents and carers work positively to make sure local services meet the needs of people living in the area.