Expertise

• Lived Experience
• Autism / Neurodivergency
• Disabilities
• Caring

I’m a full time carer for my three autistic children with mental health and learning disability needs. My oldest son has servere learning disability and is non-verbal, needing three-to-one support. My daughter has suffered with anorexia and psychosis most of her life. My other son has had psychosis as well. I have 33 years of experience with these issues.

I have been a carer representative for the Aneurin Bevan Mental Health and Learning Disability Team. I have been involved with bidding panels, interview panels, conferences and been in meetings discussing on how to improve services for mental health and learning disabilities going forward.

With the Mental Health Service in Aneurin Bevan Health Board. I have had some good experiences with my son’s service, for example the early intervention services in Risca. I have also had a good experience with integrated autism services in Pontypool. I’ve also had bad experiences with eating disorder services in Gwent and CAMHS for my daughter. I have had bad service of the Rhymney Mental Health Team for my daughter. I have also had problems the Learning Disability Team regarding service for my son. This allows me to have a balanced approach to help improve services for service users and carers in going forward to help with their mental health and wellbeing.

What do I hope to achieve from working with the Wales Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum is making sure that all service users, careers and people with learning disabilities have a voice on how to improve services going forward. This could mean working with third sector, all health boards and Welsh Government.