Online support for parent carers
Making the most of online support communities
Feelings of isolation and detachment are sadly all too common for parents and carers of children with additional needs. This may be because of the gap between your experience of parenting and that of your peers or sometimes because you are just too busy and exhausted to maintain social ties. This is where online groups or communities for parent carers can really fill a void, helping you to connect with people who have similar life experiences without having to leave your sofa.
Here’s some of the online parent carer groups and communities we know about. Some are for parent carers of children with any additional need, others are specifically for Do tell us if about others by emailing [email protected]
Amaze – Our Facebook group is for parents and others who care for children and young people who have any special educational need or disability. It’s a space to share ideas and information
Amaze Face 2 Face groups – our Face 2 Face befriending team run regular in-person groups for parent carers at locations in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove but they also stay in touch and get advice via active WhatsApp groups for each group.
Contact online group for parent carers – national SEND charity, Contact, has this closed group for parents and carers of disabled children. It is a place for members to chat, listen and ask questions in a safe and supportive environment.
mASCot – A local, parent-led peer to peer support network for families who have a child/children or young person with an autism spectrum condition. To gain access to the private group, sign up for a free membership.
Brighton & Hove
Parent Carers’ Council (PaCC) – the Parent Carers’ Council is a forum for parent carers of children with additional needs with its own PaCC Facebook group. PaCC also run regular in person coffee mornings for parent carers of children and young people with SEND in Moulsecoomb, Hangleton and Whitehawk.
T21 Brighton & Hove – a friendly and inclusive Facebook group for parents and carers of children and young people Down Syndrome – they have in-person events too.
Brighton Pebbles – a Facebook group for parents and carers of children with any disability, especially those who find it difficult to access mainstream activities, for instance, those with severe autism or challenging behaviour. They also meet in person.
East Sussex
East Sussex Parent Carers Forum – a forum for parent carers of children with additional needs in East Sussex. Parent carers can join their private online ESPCF Facebook group.
Embrace East Sussex Online Community – Facebook support group for special needs and disabled families offering advocacy, family support and respite services
Holding Space – parent carer support coffee mornings, programmes and wellbeing walks. They have a private Holding Space Facebook group for parent carers.
imPACT – Facebook page/group for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
SEND Support Sussex – Facebook page for parents of SEND children across Sussex. Information, sign posting and uplifting posts to support other parents.
