Jan Bell

Treasurer

Jan’s story with Parent to Parent is one of heart, determination, and a lifelong passion for helping others. She started her career in the 1970s as one of the few women working in IT, blazing a trail in a brand-new industry. While Jan was making her mark professionally, she embraced the unique challenges at home raising two daughters with disabilities. Her eldest daughter was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at a time when information about the condition was almost impossible to find. Determined to give her daughter the best life possible, Jan became a researcher, advocate, and expert in the condition by necessity. She even started a support group for other parents in Canberra, connecting with a local family and diving into the research being done at Westmead Hospital. Her youngest daughter, who has ADHD and autism, faced her own struggles with mental health growing up, giving Jan even more reason to seek out resources and build connections. When Jan moved to the Sunshine Coast to be closer to her parents, life took another meaningful turn. At a Rett syndrome get-together, she met Julie, the founder of P2P. That meeting sparked a connection, and Jan began volunteering with the organisation. Over time, her role grew as P2P grew, and in 2005, she joined the board as Treasurer, blending her lived experience as a parent with her professional skills. Jan’s commitment to helping others doesn’t stop there. She’s been involved with organisations like Equity Works and Yandina House, always finding ways to give back to her community and advocate for fairness and inclusivity. She knows how often people with intellectual disabilities fall through the cracks when it comes to support, and she’s passionate about ensuring P2P can keep filling those gaps. She lives by the values of kindness, fairness, and social justice. She’s passionate about finding ways to make life better for everyone and believes in taking things "one day at a time" while always looking for the silver lining. Jan’s dream for P2P is to see it thrive for years to come, so that it can keep providing vital support to families who need it most. For Jan, P2P isn’t just an organisation, it’s a lifeline and a community she’s proud to be a part of. Jan’s journey is a true example of resilience, compassion, and a “never give up” attitude. Through her work with P2P, she’s making sure other families don’t have to face their challenges alone.