A Team

Amy is a paediatric occupational therapist who plays a vital role in PSC by co-facilitating our social group for neurodiverse girls and young women, known as ‘The A Team’, where she helps create a supportive and empowering environment. In addition, Amy facilitates the Sensory Processing and Interoception workshops, using her specialized knowledge to educate and support families and individuals in understanding and managing sensory processing.

Anna began working with CYP services at Parenting Special Children during her placement for her BSc in Psychology at the University of Reading, where she later completed her Master’s. Her role has since expanded to include leading groups within CYP services and handling HR and data administration for the charity.

Her diverse professional background has provided her with experience in mentoring, research, and evidence-based practice in clinical and educational settings. Her experiences of mental health, neurodivergence and additional needs in her professional, personal, and family life underscore her dedication to supporting those with additional needs and making a positive impact in psychology, education, and social care.

Parenting Special Children have a mentoring programme which enables young people who have attended PSC groups to volunteer as mentors as they get older. PSC provides training to support the mentors and the programme encourages development of leadership skills, while giving the young people a chance to gain volunteering experiencing in a familiar environment.

These mentor volunteers provide vital peer support to other young people in the groups and are an asset to the team.

Olive draws on her lived experience caring for her neurodivergent children to offer parent/carer peer support. She facilitates the support group that runs alongside our social group for Autistic Girls, known as The A-Team. Additionally, Olive leads the ‘My Family’ monthly peer support group in Marlow, which focuses on parents and carers of young people aged 11-25 with mental health challenges. This initiative is a collaborative effort between PSC and ‘Brighter Futures Together’.