TRAUMA parenting specialist Jane Evans is the new patron of the West Swindon Children’s Centre.

The globally-renowned speaker and trainer, who recently appeared as a parenting expert on the Channel 5 series My Violent Child, has agreed to support the charity.

Jane, who has a wealth of experience to bring to the role, said: “My work has mostly been with families and parents in crisis because of domestic abuse, complex parenting needs, poverty, homelessness and a range of daily trauma so I am delighted to become the new patron of West Swindon Family Centre to raise awareness of the vital community based work they do every day.”

In a career spanning more than two decades, Jane has worked for a range of organisations such as the NSPCC and Barnardo’s, and in a variety of roles, including a parenting worker, childminder and respite foster carer.

She has also appeared on ITV’s O’Brien show and several times on 5 News Tonight on Channel 5 as a parenting expert, providing comment and advice on a range of parenting issues.

She has also published numerous articles on early childhood trauma as well as two children’s storybooks designed to help children who have experienced difficult upbringings understand and share their feelings.

Brian Senior, the chairman of trustees for West Swindon Family Centre, said: “The charity is thrilled to have such a well-respected and experienced industry-expert taking on the role of patron.

“Our hope is that, with Jane’s help, a brighter light can be shone on the vital work we do to support families.

“We want to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges our families face so that we can garner wider support and funding to preserve and extend our range of family services.”

Like many other small independent charities, West Swindon Family Centre is constantly fighting to stay afloat in an ever-changing political and funding landscape.

Business development coordinator, Mike Smith, said: “Times have been tough at the Centre with the recent decommissioning of our Children’s Centre services, cut backs and staff redundancies.

“However, the need for our services remains high. There will always be children, parents and families facing difficulties and challenges and we will always strive to be there to support them.

“We have just secured a contract with Swindon Borough Council to deliver a pilot Family Centre service, so Jane’s appointment has come at just the right time, signifying the start of a positive and exciting new chapter in the charity’s long and diverse history.”

For more details, visit westswindonfamily centre.com.