Committee

Barry Woodward – Co-chair

Hello. My name is Barry Woodward. I live in Barnes with my partner Pauline Crawford and our 11-year-old daughter Darcey, who is gorgeous but severely mentally disabled. Darcey’s condition results from the growth process in the brain called Myelination being delayed by some cause that has never been (and never will be) diagnosed. She can walk, but has Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) and problems with dexterity and co-ordination.

My working life to-date has been in music studios as a Mastering Engineer in the Audio Post Production dept. (This is where you ‘sprinkle a little bit of angel dust!’ before release – to quote from the in-famous Troggs tapes). Many big recording studios have gone the way of most ‘old school’ industries though and I have been ‘working from home’ (in my own studio) since being made redundant in 2004.

I have been Vice-Chair of the Richmond Parent Carers Action Group since it’s inception. (I am also Vice-Chair of Governors at Paddock School in Wandsworth, where Darcey attends).

As parents of, and carers for, children with special needs we all have a lot of relevant experiences to share. The RPCAG gives you the chance to be heard by the Local Authority. Either directly (at QA sessions with officials) or indirectly (via our Parent Representatives at Council meetings):

c. 2008 new Government legislation gave the opportunity to Local Authorities to provide space at the table for Parent Representatives from the local community. Anne-Marie Asgari from Me Too & Co began organizing parents into meetings. This quickly became the group officially recognized by the Borough of Richmond to fulfil this role — the RPCAG.

I urge every one of you to please get involved in whatever way you can to have your say. Attending meetings is only one way — you can also contribute by email, text, phone, fax or good old snail mail!

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John Doherty – Co-chair & Secretary

As a parent of a child with severe disabilities (Cerebral Palsy and complex learning difficulties), I have channelled my first hand knowledge into ensuring that children with disabilities are given the support which they require. As secretary to RPCAG, I attended many local authority meetings articulating the needs of families throughout the borough, and have assisted in organising social and fundraising events. My understanding of the needs of families with disabled children and my passion in supporting them is demonstrated by the many years during which I have been proactive within the community, striving to raise both public awareness of and financial support for the needs of those families.

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