Andrea Broadway-Parkinson
Position: Associate
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As a disabled person, (following a spinal cord injury in 1986 aged 16 while living in Zambia), Andrea has had much experience of using all manner of services over time, especially education, health and social care services, and seen many changes. Andrea has worked in a variety of fields including the Voluntary sector nationally and regionally; Local Government (City of York Council), the private sector (family business as a Property Manager/Administrator) and has done freelance work while self employed as 'Dispel', essentially teaching and training. Andrea has worked with a variety of voluntary groups focusing on people with learning disabilities and their families, including Partners in Policymaking, Lives Unlimited(York) and Talkback (North Yorkshire). She is also active as a Patient Representative with a variety of Health based bodies, enrolled as an Expert Patient Programme Volunteer Tutor.
Andrea particularly relies on health services and as the ageing process sets in, she is ever mindful of how her reliance on others will increase. She values her independence highly and wants to stay 'in control' for as long as ever possible. Andrea recognises and values greatly the support and contribution to my life of her family, friends and colleagues but realises not everyone has that support or the same opportunities to enjoy an independent quality of life. This is why Andrea is passionate about influencing policy and practice at all levels not least to raise expectations of all parties involved, so that services for all people are truly customer or patient focused in every respect. No one should have to be worried about what the future holds yet we are - more than ever! Anything that can assist others to achieve a quality of life that they want for themselves is always central to Andrea’s agenda!