Tasha Barefield

I have worked for the Brighton & Hove Parents' Forum since June 2006, before this I was involved in setting up the forum as a volunteer parent for over a year. I have two children, Jasmine 7 and Charlotte 3 and we live in Hollingdean with my husband Tony.

In previous jobs I have been a Nursery Manager for a private day nursery and worked part-time in a customer services call centre for Lloyds TSB. I have also worked on a voluntary basis for my local Sure Start programme for 4 years and for the last year I was the Chair of the Partnership Board.

As you can see I have had various experiences ranging from working with parents to being a volunteer myself so I can understand and relate to the parents I work with. I spend my time visiting parents and groups to inform them about the parents' forum, I support the Core Strategic Group and help them to deliver on their plans and ideas.

I have a vision that parents and carers living in the city will have the confidence and encouragement to be able to speak up about the services they are using and really be listened to by the decision makers. I want all parents, whatever their background, to feel they have the skills and knowledge to be 'properly' informed about the services their family is using or needs to use and that they will know how and where to access the information they need.

I really enjoy my job, being able to meet with the diversity of parents and carers from across the city and to get to know what they really want from our city's services. I feel encouraged to be able to support a voluntary organisation with such a great task, although it may be a little overwhelming at times!

I will look forward to hearing from you!