Access for Black and minority ethnic Children and young people with Disabilities and or chronic illnesses

Bethan James

Participation and Engagement Officer

My role involves working with service users to enable them to have the confidence to participate in making their voices heard, and contributing to policy formulation and the commissioning of services relevant to them.

Through offering the children, young people and families support in engaging in consultation events, working groups and other activities, I aim to empower them to play a more active role in society.

David Singh

Development Worker

Working with young people with learning disabilities aged 14-25:

• Secure advocacy for young people
• Advocate on behalf of communities
• Offer training to professionals working with this group
• Increase choices for young people (via information dissemination and information sharing sessions)
• Increase self-esteem of young people
  • involving them in play and leisure opportunities
  • working one-to-one with them
  • supporting them to do what they enjoy doing
• Empower young people to access education, training, employment and leisure opportunities
• Work in partnership with agencies to achieve the above

Nazia Akram

Social care, Health and Education Development worker

Work is undertaken with children and young persons from 0-25 who have disabilities and/or chronic illnesses in the BME community. Support and advice is given either by visiting the families at their home, over the phone or events organised by ABCD Cymru.

Information is given in the format that is appropriate to the family and supported referrals are made to other organisations.

Shau-Wai Sim

Play and Events Co-ordinator

I will be helping families to access existing Play and Leisure opportunities, and will also organise Special Events in the school holidays.

I believe that Play is essential for the well-being of all children and young people and I have play experience in all age ranges.

The types of events I will be organising include: swimming, bowling and art, cinema, woodwork and free play, for all ages (0 – 25 years). Previous trips include Cadbury World, Longleat, Oakwood, Touch Trust, and St. Fagans.

Through the Parents’ Play Steering Group I will gather information about needs, and plan events accordingly. This forum is also used to generate ideas for fundraising to pay for such events.

I also work in partnership with other agencies to enhance our provision for our service users.

I very much look forward to increasing the opportunities for Play available to disabled children and young people, and thus improve their quality of life.