Andrea Broadway-Parkinson
Position: Associate
Email:
As a disabled person, (following a spinal cord injury in 1986 aged 16 while living in Zambia), I have had much experience of using all manner of services over time, especially education, health and social care services, and seen many changes. I've worked in a variety of fields including the Voluntary sector nationally and regionally; Local Govt (City of York Council), the private sector (family business as a Property Manager/Administrator) and done freelance work while self employed as 'Dispel', essentially teaching and training. Latterly, I have been working with a variety of voluntary groups focusing on people with learning disabilities and their families, including Partners in Policymaking, Lives Unlimited(York) and Talkback (N.Yorks). I am also active as a Patient Representative with a variety of Health based bodies, enrolled as an Expert Patient Programme Volunteer Tutor and in the capacity of 'Dispel', intend to offer Support Brokerage and Mentoring services to other disabled people especially newly injured people and children following an 8 month course with Paradigm last year.
I particularly rely on health services and as the ageing process sets in, am ever mindful of how my reliance on others will increase. I value my independence highly and want to stay 'in control' for as long as ever possible. I recognise and value greatly the support and contribution to my life of my family, friends and colleagues - sadly, not everyone has that support or the same opportunities to enjoy an independent quality of life. This is why I am 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 need 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 my agenda! I am convinced that Self Direct and its extended network of stakeholders/partners/Associates will be able to make a meaningful contribution in the health and social care market and am committed to being part of the awareness raising and education process so as to truly "make a difference"