It’s a new role for us, and an important step as we work to reach more families and build the partnerships that will help Belay grow. 

Emma is a former Chartered Marketer with over 20 years’ experience, from strategy through to hands-on delivery. Most recently she built her own platform from nothing into a community of thousands of parents and carers of neurodivergent children. Along the way she has been featured in national press and worked in partnership with organisations across the neurodivergence sector. 

Emma also knows this life first-hand. She stepped back from her career to care for her own neurodivergent family, and experienced the toll that caring can take on a parent’s own wellbeing. She understands what families are carrying, and how much it matters for parents to feel heard. 

“I’m really excited about this role and can’t wait to get stuck in. A lot of support rightly focuses on the child and their needs, but we also need to support the parents doing everything for those children, so they have the capacity to keep showing up every day. Belay gives families practical, real-life support that makes a difference, and I want to help many more families find it.”

If you’d like to talk to Emma about partnerships, media or volunteering, please get in touch at emma.mcdonnell@thebelayfoundation.org.uk