Trustees
Chair of Trustees – Lisa Philips
Norbert Flynn
Edwin Jones
Jeff Fifer
Mandy Evans
Rob Jones – Treasurer
Rob is the Treasurer of the All Wales Forum. He is a practising Chartered Certified Accountant and runs his own business. A husband and father to two daughters he enjoys spending school holidays in Spain and is currently learning to speak Spanish. He also enjoys Golf (when it’s not raining) and is also a big Rugby fan.
Kay Tyler – Vice Chair South
Kay Tyler is a member of The Grapevine, a group of Parents and Carers of Adults with Learning Disabilities. She has two children, one of whom has a rare syndrome with an associated Learning Disability
She has been Carer Representative on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board for over five years. She is also a Carer Representative on a number of Local, Regional and National Forums.
“My experiences have helped me to understand and appreciate how important it is for unpaid carers to use our voices, views and lived experience to help plan, improve and develop the services we receive.”
Tricia Bochenski – Vice Chair North
As the mother of a 44 year old son with profound disabilities, I was virtually a founder member of AWF. I have been an active campaigner for the rights of people with LD and those of their families, for over 40 years. Currently, I am Chair of Trustees for a Charitable Domiciliary Care Company based in St. Asaph. Once upon a time I was a History teacher.
Barbara Lewis
Babs has worked in the health and social care sector for over a decade, co-designing and delivering innovation programmes with communities and public sector partners across Wales. Now enjoying an active, engaged retirement, she previously managed business development here for People Powered Results – part of Nesta, the UK innovation agency for social good. In this role she pioneered place-based, people-centred approaches working with those closest to the issues. Over the last decade, Babs has worked with Welsh government, public services, academic and community-groups to explore what works. Her super strengths are:
– insight into the public sector and Welsh legislation
– practical and strategic experience in supporting people to think and act creatively
– a real enthusiasm for building effective, impactful relationships and a commitment to empowering people closest to the issues
Babs is mum to two grown-up children, and has personal experience as a carer. Much of her time is divided between family, volunteering and getting fit with a super-active rescue dog.
Mandy Hughes
“I’m a parent carer to my daughter who has complex physical and medical needs and needs round-the-clock care. My eldest has ADHD and my 5-year-old is now on the Nero pathway.
I’m passionate about raising awareness with families and supporting them the best I can to live their best lives!
Caring can be lonely as I have experienced. It’s challenging to get support for your family. I love spending time with families like mine and learning from each other.
I volunteer for Credu, Contact Cymru and SWAN and am a governor for both my children’s schools.
I’m dyslexic and love all things craft and visual.
I’m passionate to help make the world accessible for all.”
Mark Walker
Mark is first and foremost a parent of a child with additional needs who also has a rare disease. Before retirement he had a variety of roles including being a GP, Deputy Executive Medical Director for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and Senior Medical Officer for Primary Care in the Welsh Government. He now has the joy of spending time with his grandchildren and walking his dogs.
Staff
Kate Young
Kate is the Director of the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilities. She is the lead for the All Wales Forum and represents us on many key committees, agendas and programmes throughout Wales. Prior to becoming the Director in 2010 Kate was also The AWF’s regional representative in Powys.
Josh Law
Josh is the Project and Partnerships Manager at All Wales Forum and leads on the project work undertaken by the All Wales Forum. Before joining the Forum in 2020, Josh had a background of managing sport for social good projects in South Wales.
Anne-Marie Carpenter
Anne-Marie is the Operations & Finance Co-Ordinator, of the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers of People with Learning Disabilities. based at the headquarters in Taffs Well; ensuring the smooth running of the office. Her role covers supporting the Trustees, Director, all other members of staff as well as liaising with other organisations & funders. Anne-Marie has previously worked for the AWF & has a background in High Street retail banking, community development & employment services; including specialist employment services for those with disabilities. Anne-Marie has formal qualifications in Business Management, Computerised Accounting Systems & is a qualified PRINCE2® Project Manager.
Grace Coppock
Grace is the Policy & Engagement Officer, her favourite part of this job is working with amazing people (professionals and carers) that continue to inspire her every day. After studying Social Policy at Cardiff University, Grace has always been interested in the way societies work and how we can create solutions together to tackle inequalities and improve well-being.
Gwen Anslow
Gwen is the Networks and Communication Officer, they will be connecting with carers across Wales and developing our community networks part of the Caring Communities of Change project. Coming from a background of arts, their favourite part of the job is having creative conversation with carers and seeing the conversations develop into actions and pilots.
