We are pleased to announce that Claire Richmond from the Richmond parent carer forum has been appointed to replace outgoing NNPCF board member Fazilla Amide.
Claire has worked successfully to establish the Richmond forum after a difficult period over the last few years and brings experience of building relationships, reaching consensus, and working across other local London boroughs to the role. Her background as a musician highlights her attention to detail and working as a team.
Of her appointment Claire said, “I’m delighted to be offered this opportunity to work with the NNPCF to support the amazing work of Parent Carer Forums in the London region. The strength, commitment and resilience of this network has been an inspiration to me during my 3 years of running a local forum and I’m looking forward to promoting those voices to inform policy and decision making at a national level”
NNPCF co-chairs Tina Emery and Mrunal Sisodia said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Claire to the NNPCF board. Her application, her interview and her references all highlighted the very obvious strengths that she will bring to the team, and we are confident that she will do an excellent job representing the London region.”
At the same time, we are incredibly sad to be saying goodbye to Fazilla Amide who steps down from her role as NNPCF board member for London to go onto devote more time to her family and her important role at NHSE.
Fazilla Amide said, ”It’s genuinely been an absolute honour to be part of the NNPCF at a local, regional and national level. The national and regional teams are so passionate to move our agenda forwards, it’s reassuring we are in such good hands! We’ve been on such a long journey and in this new economic environment, the focus and dedication of all our forums and individual parent/carers members is needed, more so than ever before. So, it’s not goodbye but “see you in a different guise!” I will continue our work within the NHS to raise the profile, our challenges, as well as the collaborative, creative and solution-focused nature of parent carers. I would also call on the DfE and the DHSC to review the sustainability and funding model for forums which is very much needed.
I wish you all the best and also welcome Claire to her new role; Claire, you will be fab!”
NNPCF cochairs Mrunal Sisodia and Tina Emery stated, “Fazilla has been instrumental in the development of the NNPCF over the last few years. Her stamp is on every aspect of the organisation – the challenge she brought, the clear thinking and most importantly the rock solid values of championing SEND families in everything we do. This is without mentioning Fazilla’s professional skills which were so important as set up as a community interest company. She will be sorely missed but she goes with our best wishes and pride in another NNPCF alumni taking an important role in the world of SEND.”