Mencap: Coffee Morning and Peer Support Group

Mencap Family Engagement Project are running regular monthly sessions held at The Together Centre, Dukinfield, 287 Birch Lane, SK16 5AU on the first Wednesday of each month 10am-11.30am.

They are also arranging pop-up coffee mornings around the borough in partnership with other local organisations and those are advertised on their Facebook page and through their network.

They support families of children aged 0-6 with SEND and emerging needs. No diagnosis or pathway is necessary. Families attending the coffee mornings find a friendly and inclusive space where they are free to talk about their experiences of being a SEND parent/carer with other families going through similar experiences.

All their team have lived experience of being a SEND parent and have been through many similar experiences. They can offer a listening ear, validation, support and advice. We have navigated many of the processes that SEND families go through and can advise/support with pathways and how to get the correct support in place such as EHCPs. Children are welcome to join us and can explore and play without pressure to complete activities or judgement of behaviour or routines.

Families who have attended regularly have found they are empowered and supported. It has meant they have been able to navigate the system to receive the correct pathway and support. Some have successfully applied for DLA and EHCPs with our advice and encouragement. They have found speaking to someone who understands their situation to be validating and comforting. Parents have established positive relationships with each other and provided peer support and friendship after meeting at their groups.

Any parent or carer of a child under six years old with SEND or emerging needs can come and join them. None of their sessions require booking and they are free. Families are asked to register to access Mencap’s full offer, but there is no need to complete this before their first session as it can be done in person or following the session if they feel the project would be useful to them. The registration form can be found here.

Contact details:

Jennifer Watson: Family Engagement Worker 07977162375 Jennifer.watson@mencap.org.uk
Project email address: familyengagementgm@mencap.org.uk
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