Sian leads our community work with warmth, integrity, and a deep commitment to the parent carer voice. As Head of Community Support and Engagement, she ensures parent carers across Bristol are supported, informed, and connected. 

“Having experienced the impact of the BPC signposting and support in an exceptionally challenging time, I saw great value in what they were doing. I joined the team as a volunteer at coffee mornings, sharing my lived experience and supporting those struggling on their journeys. I feel very privileged to hold the role I currently do and believe empathy and support from peers is one of the most valuable encounters parents on a SEND journey can make.”

I began my journey with Bristol Parent Carers in 2023, volunteering after my eldest child was diagnosed with multiple specialist needs. Now employed as a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner, I bring my lived experience – and my background in education and mental health – into everything I do. I’m passionate about helping families feel heard, supported and empowered, and I’m proud to be part of a charity that puts connection, compassion and community at its heart.

I am a parent carer to three children with varying needs, including medical complexity, neurodiversity and learning difficulties. I began volunteering in 2023 after BPC were invaluable in helping me navigate the SEND system for my son.

Since then, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and found an incredible support network among other SEND parents. This has enabled me to become more confident and a stronger advocate for my children. I couldn’t have done this without being part of this wonderful community, and I hope to provide the same confidence and support to other parents.

Kirstie is the South Bristol Peer Support Coordinator at Bristol Parent Carers.

She joined the organisation as a volunteer and now supports families by sharing clear information, practical signposting, and a genuine listening ear.

Kirstie has two children, both autistic, with one currently awaiting an ADHD assessment, and brings valuable lived experience to her role, understanding the journey first-hand as a parent.

Coming soon

Laura is the PINS Coordinator for BPC. PINS (Partnership for Inclusion and Neurodiversity in Schools) is a collaborative early intervention project that brings together parent carers, local authorities and SEND practitioners to improve support for neurodivergent pupils in schools.

As a parent carer to two neurodivergent children herself, Laura is passionate about supporting inclusivity and awareness in schools, especially at Primary shcool level where working together to achieve this can drive positive change for children as they move through education.  

I joined the peer support team in June 2024, and since then, I’ve taken on a variety of roles. I’m a Parent Voice Facilitator, Volunteer Coordinator, and North Bristol Peer Support Coordinator. I support parent carers at our peer support sessions in North Bristol, recruit and support our wonderful team of volunteers, and work within the Parent Voice Team to ensure families’ voices are heard by decision makers. As a parent of three children with SEND, I’m driven to give back to the community, working to improve things for others and being there to support parent carers when they need it.

Coming soon

Oksana Bakhaieva joined Bristol Parent Carers in November 2025. Previously a volunteer on the peer support team, she supports the team by managing digital systems, data, and the website to help everything run smoothly. She is passionate about making processes simple and organised to support families and staff alike.

I’ve been part of the team for two years, and I’m also a parent carer myself. I’m passionate about supporting families and making sure their voices are heard. I work closely with parent carers to create safe, welcoming spaces and to connect with professionals through practitioner-led sessions that offer practical guidance and support.

I am also part of the Parent Voice Team, gathering feedback from families and sharing it with local services to help shape improvements. By feeding what we hear into service development, I help ensure families feel included, informed and genuinely listened to.

As a parent carer myself, I bring a deep understanding and genuine compassion to every interaction, knowing firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with caring for a child with additional needs.

I provide support to families with translations to eliminate language barriers, while also handling day-to-day administration such as enquiries, bookings and records to help our services run smoothly. By sharing experiences and offering peer support, I help create a community where parent carers feel heard, supported and less alone. It’s this authentic connection and shared understanding that makes my work both meaningful and rewarding.

Tracy began as a volunteer with Bristol Parent Carers and now works part-time supporting families through our East Bristol peer support sessions, held weekly in local schools and monthly at Fishponds Library.