Who We Are

Friends and Families of Special Children is made up of a team of individuals experienced in working with disabled children and their parents or carers. We are able to provide information and support to families who have experienced the joys and the difficulties of living with a disability within the family.

We are a Plymouth based service, covering the city of Plymouth and the surrounding area.

The Charity is run by a team of professionals that come from a range of professional backgrounds including Social Work, Nursing, Youth Work, Counselling, Law, Finance and Corporate Hospitality. Alongside the Trustees are partners from Health, Education, Social Care and the Voluntary sector who help to ensure that we offer a multidisciplinary approach and a broad range of services.

Friends and Families of Special Children was founded in 2002 by a small group of parents who identified a huge gap in service provision for Children with disabilities and their famlies within Plymouth and its surrounding area. The group gained Charitable Status in 2005 (Registered charity No 1114692) and is now one of the main providers of integrated leisure services within the City.

The Team

Friends and Families of Special Children is run by six Trustees, one of whom is one of the original founders. They are responsible for overseeing the charity and ensuring it is operating correctly. They also, if they are able, provide training, facilitate the group programmes and attend fundraising events. All the support and energy they commit to the charity, they do so in a voluntary capacity.

Kay O'Shaughnessy - Chair of Trustees Much of my working life has been spent in Social Care, Training and Employment and running my own businesses. I gained a Post Graduate Business Degree at Plymouth University. I am married to Michael and have four children, one of who is profoundly disabled and requires full care. I am a founder member of Friends and Families of Special Children and have been involved in campaigning, developing and shaping national and locally stratagy and provision for families with disabled children.
Jonathon Morcom - Treasurer I was born and educated in Plymouth and am currently Treasurer of Friends and Families of Special Children, I am Director of The Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Plymouth, previously having had lots of experience in the hospitality industry in Plymouth and Somerset. I was instrumental in setting up a 24 bed-roomed hotel in Wells, was Food and Beverages Manager at Plymouth Pavillions and The Royal Western Yacht Club before the Management Buy Out at the DOC in 2001. I have one son and a step son who has Cerebral Palsy. I have been involved with the charity since its launch and engage with fundraising and organising social events as much as possible.
Adrian Stroud - Trustee I was born in Plymouth in 1962, and educated at Devonport High School for Boys before attending University College Cardiff to study Law. I am now Senior Partner at local solicitors Thompson and Jackson specialising in Property Law. I am married to Caroline and have three children Katie, Sam and Ben. In between being a taxi service for the kids I enjoys a variety of sports and watching Plymouth Argyle and Albion.
Malcolm Harrison - Trustee I have extensive accounting experience, managing substantial budgets and launching hugely successful strategic plans. With a background as a management accountant in large public sector organisations, I have gained skills in increasing turnover, optimising inventories, implementing computerised accounting, and managing multimillion pound budgets. I have been in Accountancy for over two decades. I have been a senior teacher, business consultant, and worked for many years as a successful Area Materials Manager and Logistics Manager for Great Western Trains. I have worked as treasurer or auditor of many not for profit organisations. I am married to Annette and have three children.
Robert Lang - Trustee Plymouth born and educated at Plymouth College prior to joining the practice of Constable & Son as articled pupil to the late Jimmie Constable in 1970. Subsequently, I established Lang & Co. estate agents in 1993. I have always been involved in the local community and am a past member of Round Table and the Port of Plymouth Junior Chamber of Commerce which staged the annual Lord Mayor’s Day, introduced the Plymouth Marathon, Military Tattoo and successfully lobbied for the construction of the Tamar Bridge.