MBE for Seashell Trust head of family services

The Seashell Trust charity’s Sherann Hillman has received her MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

It was announced Sherann, who is head of Seashell’s Family Services, had been honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s list for her services to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Her team welcomes families to Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme and is the first point of contact from the initial assessment to admission to the charity’s school, college, care and short breaks provision for children and young adults with complex learning disabilities and additional communication needs from across the UK.

They provide training and workshops for parents, both locally and from across the country, and professionals to support their understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) legislation. The team also runs family events for families whose children and young people attend Seashell Trust.

Sherann said:

“I was thrilled to receive my MBE from HRH the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace last week who took a keen interest in my involvement with families, and how I have influenced service design and development of services and policy change for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities locally, regionally and nationally. It was made all the more special by having my husband and three children there with me who have supported me unconditionally for many years.”

Mark Geraghty, chief executive of Seashell Trust, said:

“Her MBE is well deserved and on behalf of Seashell Trust I’d like to congratulate her on her achievements and thank her for her hard work and dedication. We are very fortunate to have her support as head of our Family Services team.”

Sherann is also chair of Parents in Partnership Stockport (PIPS) and the co-chair of the National Network of parent Carer Forums (NNPCF).

Pictured: Sherann Hillman receiving her MBE from HRH the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace