Face2Face - Parents who understand parents

Face2Face is a volunteer-led group of parents and carers who have a child or young person with a disability who offer friendship and support to other parents or carers of children with additional needs or disabilities.

All our befrienders are trained in order to provide the best possible support to other parents. They know how important it is to be able to talk to someone who understands what you are going through, to be listened to, and to be reassured that what you are feeling is OK. Above all, our befrienders can help give parents and carers a positive view about the future of their child.

When we met our befriender, it was clear she’d been through something very similar. We suddenly felt: here’s someone who understands.

How can Face2Face help you?

Our one-to-one befriending service can be helpful to parents whose child has been newly diagnosed, but can be just as relevant to parents at any time in their journey of bringing up a disabled child or young person. Equally, we welcome parents who do not have a diagnosis at all but have concerns about their child’s development.

The befriending service is informal, flexible and free. Parents and carers can come to us directly or be referred to us via their GP, health visitor, social worker or school.

Drop-in Coffee Mornings

An informal, free get-together and an opportunity for parents/carers to meet each other, exchange information and talk to others who understand.

Wednesday 6 March | 10:30-12:30

YMCA Sovereign Centre, Slipshatch Road, Reigate RH2 8HA

Free Zoom Webinars

Practical Strategies to feel happier and less exhausted as a SEND parent
Wednesday 27 March | 19.30-21.30

Yvonne Newbold MBE will lead this session about your wellbeing, which includes some mindful meditation sessions as well as practical strategies to manage the stress, anxiety and overwhelm that so often goes hand-in-hand with being a SEND parent.

Please email Sandhya Gulati to register your interest in joining any free Zoom webinars.

Workshops

Understanding PDA and strategies for parenting child with PDA
Wednesday 20 March | 10:30-12:30
YMCA Sovereign Centre, Slipshatch Road, Reigate RH2 8HA

Clare Truman specialises in supporting Pathological Demand Avoidance children and young people to access education. Clare will be sharing a range of simple strategies for supporting PDA children and young people in at home and in education settings. She will cover:

– Ways to reduce anxiety for PDA children and young people.
– How to identify, prioritise and present demands.
– How to negotiate and collaborate with PDA children and young people
– What you can ask schools to do to support PDA children and young people

Please email Sandhya Gulati to register your interest in joining any webinars or workshops.

Find out more

For more information about Face2Face’s befriending service and events, please contact Sandhya Gulati, Face2Face Coordinator.

T 01737 222859
E Sandhya.Gulati@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk

Funded by