Our parents and carers forum, Family Voice Calderdale, is independent from the services arm of Unique Ways, facilitating two–way communication between parent carers and providers of services used by disabled children, young people and their families in Calderdale. The Family Voice Calderdale Team is made up of our Steering Group Members, Project Coordinator and our wider Parent Carers. The vast majority of our staff and volunteers are Parent Carers of Children with SEND, so understand the issues facing people.
The Current Team:
Emma Baker – Family Voice Calderdale Chair 2025-
Kirsty Penney – Family Voice Calderdale Vice Chair 2025-
I first got involved with family voice by feedbacking about the early years offer of Dingley’s promise training and later asked to join the Steering Group.
Joe Thompson – Family Voice Calderdale Coordinator
My role is to ensure that Family Voice Calderdale can help deliver the best possible outcomes for parent carers of children & young people with SEND in Calderdale.
My involvement with Unique Ways began a couple of years ago where, alongside Leah Webster, we wrote the content and delivered the very popular SEND in Education course. From here, I got involved initially as a volunteer, before temporarily offering cover for the form-filling service. I am very excited to have taken on this new role and look forward to seeing the positive change we can make together.
I was born in Bradford but have lived in Calderdale for the last 22 years. I have had stints living in Hipperholme, Elland, Sowerby, Walsden and Ripponden but was delighted when I recently finally got the chance to live back in Halifax!
I am passionate about fighting injustice and working towards equality for all.
Outside of work I try to exercise (when I don’t find excuses not to), especially for Yorkshire Terriers FC, my football team. I also love music and can often hear The Piece Hall gigs from my living room window!
You can contact Joe on [email protected] .
Former Team Members:
Leah Webster – Family Voice Calderdale Chair 2022-2025
“I’m Leah Webster proud mum to three boys all of whom have SEND.
I am Chair of Family Voice Calderdale, the local parent carer forum and I’m passionate about empowering parents, and supporting them to achieve the best possible outcomes.
I’m also trained to provide Independent Support and I’m also trained in SEND law relating specifically to Education and a qualified Support Broker. I enjoy forest walking, reading and travel.”
Stevie Stott – Family Voice Calderdale Vice Chair 2023-2025
Stevie has had many years of involvement in the SEND world through her own lived experience and supporting other families, as well as her volunteering for organisations such as West Yorkshire ADHD. She joined the steering group a few years ago and became Vice Chair shortly after that. She remains passionate and dedicated about supporting families with SEND.
Pete Ruse – Family Voice Calderdale Chair 2018-2023
Pete was the Chair of Family Voice Calderdale for many years, alongside running courses for Parent Carers at Unique Ways. He is passionate about SEND through his work and own lived experience.
