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Seashell Trust is proud to announce its head of Family Services, Sherann Hillman has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours.

Sherann, who is also chair of Parent in Partnership Stockport (PIPS) and the co-chair of the National Network of parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), was honoured for services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

She said: “I am humbled yet delighted to have received an MBE and feel very fortunate to have received it. I am totally shocked, I have nominated a number of people for honours but never thought I would get one being a parent carer representative and voluntary worker.

“I hope that having these letters after my name will add even more power in bringing about positive change by ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are heard in creating services that meet the needs of families.”

Sherann has been with Seashell Trust for two years and heads up the recently-introduced Family Services team.  It  works with families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to get them the right support and at the right time and make sure they are understood, valued and included as equals in society.

The team also provides information, training and family events locally, regionally and nationally.

When Sherann receives her honour later in the year, she will be accompanied by her three children Rebecca, Christopher and David, and she cites them as the inspiration for all her parent carer participation work.

Sherann said: “I have chosen to dedicate my life to working for disabled children because my three children have SEN and I am families with their struggles. A number of my friends also have children with SEND and I saw the impact it had on their lives. I wanted to change services for the better, ensuring families are at the heart of development and delivery.”

Mark Geraghty, chief executive of Seashell Trust, said: “Sherann is an absolute star and we are very fortunate to have her support as head of our Family Services team. Her MBE is well deserved and on behalf of Seashell Trust I’d like to congratulate her on her achievements and thank her for her hard work and dedication.”