Kenton Mee
Chair / CEO & Director

Kenton has three children, one with autism. He is determined that one day every child and young person should have their needs met without parent carers wearing themselves out asking for the right provision.

Having spent much of his life overseeing projects in business, he has a mind for strategy and is developing the forum to better represent parent carers. He wants it to benefit every parent carer in North Somerset.

Facts

• A former school governor

• Has climbed the three peaks (over the years!)

• Grew up in West Sussex

Likes

• Coffee and a brownie

• Exploring the outdoors and travelling

Dislikes

• Not having coffee in the morning

• Towing

Hayley Wyatt
Operations Manager & Director

Hayley has two children, one with autism and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Hayley joined the forum in 2019 when she needed to find out information for herself about SEND. She stayed because she didn’t want other families to be uninformed. 

With a background in early years education, she enjoys working alongside parents and carers and wants every parent carer view to be acknowledged. She is passionate about creating positive change through the forum - and hopes it will make a difference for all parents and carers in North Somerset.

Facts

• A Trustee for a local charity

• Has a degree in early years

Likes

• A hot cup of tea

• Musicals and the theatre

Dislikes

• Milk

• Lateness

Angie Griggs
Project Manager & Director

Angie Griggs is a mother of two; her youngest has Down Syndrome. She started working for the forum in June 2019, her heart set on making a difference for children and young people with SEND.

She has a degree in inclusive practice and enjoys working to help young adults with additional needs gain more independence at home and in their community.

Facts

• Teaches independent skills

• Can often be found baking

Likes

• Coffee

• Italian food

Dislikes

• Being late

Laura Shaw
Systems & Data Lead

Laura has 2 children, one with Autism and ADHD. She joined the forum in February 2021 as the Training Co-ordinator. She has multiple years of experience delivering training within the charity sector and is passionate about helping parents and their children get access to useful resources and advice.

When not busy researching new training topics, Laura loves spending time with her family walking on the beach, biking and playing football in the garden.

Facts

• Grew up in Africa and the Caribbean

• Has completed 2 bungee jumps

• Swum with dolphins in New Zealand

Likes

• Cold-water swimming

• Wild food foraging

• Baking

Dislikes

• Spiders

• Being late

• Marmite

Francesca Betts
Media and Marketing Coordinator

Francesca joined the forum in March 2021 as Media and Marketing Administrator. Her aim is to reach as many parent carers as possible and support families through social media platforms and creativity.

She has 2 children herself, the youngest of which has Autism, Global developmental delay, Sensory processing difficulties and other issues. Life is busy however after finding her own Special needs journey rather adventurous, she hopes to make it a smoother ride for others. With a background of Early Years and working in schools, she has a passion in effecting change through the whole family.

Facts

• Lived in Greece for three years as a child

• Has a rather large dog aptly named Scooby Doo

Likes

• Swimming

• Gardening

Dislikes

• Spiders

• Busy places

Nicola Mesham
Grant Coordinator

Nicola has a background in learning support in both primary and further education. Alongside her NSPCWT role, she is also a Connecting Lives Carer (previously known as Shared Lives) supporting adults and young people with learning or physical disabilities and mental health difficulties. Since 2014 Nicola has supported a number of service users within her own home to gain independence skills and access the wider community.

Nicola is keen to support parent carers to have their voices heard and signpost them to relevant individuals and organisations who can offer help.

Facts

• Loves photography

• Has climbed Snowden…twice!

• Currently learning to play the Ukulele

Likes

• Crafting, especially crochet

• Time in the allotment

• Camping in Wales

Dislikes

• Spiders

• Parallel parking

Claire Bullock
Engagement and Participation Representative

Claire joined the forum in September 2023 as Engagement and Participation Representative after leaving her long term career in the NHS to support her daughter. Claire has two children,  her eldest daughter has SEN difficulties, ADHD and Anxiety and has subsequently suffered significant mental health issues and Emotional School Based Anxiety. During the last few years, Claire has navigated the challenging road of accessing more SEN and mental health support for her daughter in a mainstream school, which has been a life changing experience.

The training and support Claire accessed through NSPCWT was so helpful, she is passionate to give something back and help other parents and carers to access the right support at the right time. The voice of parents and carers is key to influencing change at a local level but also at a strategic and system level, with a background in health, Claire hopes to use this experience to make a really positive difference to families in North Somerset.

Facts

• Lived in Crete for 3 years and can speak some Greek

• 18 years experience in the NHS

• Set up a small local cancer charity in memory of her sister

Likes

• Holidays and exploring new places

• Lifting weights in the gym

• Walking my dog by the sea

Dislikes

• Sitting in traffic

• Untidiness

• Any kind of exercise that involves running or burpees!

Danielle Vincent
Training Coordinator

Danielle is just starting her journey with her son learning all about SEN, he is 3 years old and has already taught her so much. She hopes to use her experience of 11 years in the health and social care sector to help her family and others. Being a parent can sometimes be scary, and a little lonely, Danielle wishes to help anyone feeling that way and give them the confidence they need.

Danielle and her husband love travelling to beautiful parts of the world, holidays are there favourite time. When she is home, she enjoys cooking and baking, Danielle loves having friends over for dinner and a good game!

Facts

• Natural hair colour is jet black

• Would like to retire to France one day

Likes

• Downton Abbey

• Chocolate

Dislikes

• Rain

• Cheese

Bev Robson
Peer & Training Support

Bev joined the team at the beginning of May 2022 having been in education for most of her working life.

She is mum to 3 adopted children, all with wide ranging additional needs including Attachment, Trauma and Sensory Processing. She also has a step-daughter who is almost 25.  

Even with her teaching background, Bev’s experience of the additional needs journey through schools has been really difficult. Along the way there are some people who have made a truly life changing difference by giving advice and practical guidance. Bev hopes to be able to pay this forward to help make the journey for other families less stressful and complicated. 

Facts

• Grew up in the North East

• Went back to Uni to do her degree in her late 20s

Likes

• Chocolate

• Being outdoors

• Hot tea

Dislikes

• Lots of milk in tea

• Being late

• Being disorganised

Kirsty Andres
Peer Support Worker

Kirsty joined the forum in January 2022 and has one daughter who is disabled and is currently undiagnosed. 

Advocating for carers is a huge passion for Kirsty and she loves to share her knowledge and lived experience of navigating the, sometimes overwhelming, healthcare system. Kirsty recently completed a course in health and social care and is keen to help and encourage families to exercise their rights to suitable care and support.

Facts

• Governor at a special school 

• Lived in Australia for 2 years

• Has abseiled down the side of the Bristol Children’s hospital for their grand appeal charity before her child was born - who would have known that significance!

Likes

• Baking

• Running

• Going to the theatre

Dislikes

• Being late

• Horror movies

Leanne Havinden
Peer Support Worker

Leanne has two children, one of whom is Autistic with sensory processing difficulties, demand avoidance, hypermobility and extreme anxieties.

Her passion is to offer support to parents and carers after finding little support when she needed it years ago.

Leanne’s background is nursing, primary schools and support groups.

Facts

• Worked in a boarding school for the rich and famous

Likes

• Walking her two dogs

• Chinese food

Dislikes

• Coffee

• Mess and clutter