AN INDEPENDENT parent group has said goodbye to its current chair to make way for her replacement.

Sharon Smith has stepped down from The Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN), which works with parents and carers of young disabled people, who will be replaced by Gail Bedding.

Ms Bedding, who has been involved with the group since the beginning of the year, has a 10-year-old disabled son.

“I feel passionately that Hampshire Parent Carer Network can change the way the Local Authority do things,” she said. “Only us as parents know what our lives are like with disabled children and how they can be improved. The more parents that can work with us and share their experiences the more we can shape the services we need.”

Ms Smith will remain on the committee, and will be involved in a number of the group’s projects, but wants to make more time for her university course.

Ms Bedding added: “Sharon has done an amazing job and is highly respected within Hampshire County Council. She is a hard act to follow but I hope to continue her good work and grow our membership with the fabulous team within HPCN.”