A PARENT liaison worker has been appointed for the North West by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association.

Jo Trask will produce and implement training programmes of information and support to parents of children with this rare condition.

She is also aiming to increase the profile of the syndrome and encourage parents to get together and support each other.

Jo works part-time from home and lives in the North West. She is currently spending time finding out what is already available to parents and consulting with parents on what they want.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a complex medical condition, caused by a genetic abnormality, affecting children from the moment they are born, throughout their lives.

At first, infants are unable to feed, but from around two years, there is an obsession with food and eating. Learning difficulties, emotional instability, and difficult to manage behaviour, can all be part of this, making it impossible as a parent to feel in control, and able to manage.

Jo's role is to offer support and to design some specific training to help parents be parents, and enjoy the experience, while encouraging parents to support each other.

Telephone Jo on 0161 612 5038 or email her at jo.trask@ntlworld.com