Sarah Baker

My wife Sarah is special. Not only is she a parent and carer of a 15 year old with Angelman Syndrome (a condition which displays complex special needs), but she also manages to devote her spare time to deliver services for disabled children in our area. She is the unpaid company secretary for Torfaen Opportunities Group, which is a registered charity which provides support and some welcome respite for parents by running club nights for the children to enhance their social skills, allow them the opportunity to play with friends, and to sample new activities. In addition, she arranges days out for the children and families so that they may experience the same things as other children do. Unfortunately there is no direct funding and any funding to run these services have to be raised by other means. She ensures that the staffing costs for those who need to be employed are raised through trust fund applications, and then works with others to raise money through events and sponsorship so that club nights and trips can be funded. She ensures that these services are available to all children with disabilities in the area, and over the years it has benefitted hundreds of families. Many of the volunteers have been inspired to take up careers in special needs education and caring. Sarah goes the extra mile and gives her time free so that the disabled children in the community continue to reap the benefits. The smiles on the faces of the children prove its worth.