Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020, day 21: Supportive Parents
Supportive Parents have been helping parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bristol for more than 30 years.
Supportive Parents was originally set up as a charity in 1989 by local parents and professionals when they realised they could help SEND young people more effectively by working together.
The charity now works across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, giving advice, spreading information and supporting parents across the region.
is needed now More than ever
Supporting young people aged up to 25 and their families through its SENDIAS (special educational needs and disability information, advice and support) service from the earliest concerns into further education and adulthood.
The service is free, confidential and impartial. The charity also hosts support groups, events and training courses.
“By providing a high quality, accessible, impartial and confidential SENDIAS service, we will empower children, young people and their parents to play an active and informed role in their child’s education and in their preparation for adult life,” say the Supportive Parents team.
“Today we remain as responsive and firmly focused as ever, ensuring that children, young people and their parents or carers get the help they need.’
As well as offering advice, resources and guides to parents and children, there is specific information for SEND 16- to- 25-year-olds to access on the website. The Hub was established as a virtual and accessible way of showing children and young people the services available during lockdown.
The Hub has been a great success with more than 1000 views on the website since it launched in June. The continuing pandemic and feedback have demonstrated an ongoing demand for this service.
From issues raised by and on behalf of young people it is clear that promoting and sustaining mental health and wellbeing is vital in this period of continual change and uncertainty.
Supportive Parents are therefore hoping to relaunch The Hub in the new year with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, saying: “We want children and young people to be informed about services and the support available to them, helping to reduce anxiety, enable empowerment and build resilience.”
Main photo: Supportive Parents
Read more: £28.7m investment in SEND provision as Bristol is unable to meet current need
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