Mum of two launches new SEND support group

A mum of two children with special educational needs has set up a support group for parents and carers in similar situations to her own.

Helen Mathers, whose children have autism and other needs, said she "struggled" to find help and to connect with other families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The 39-year-old, from Bingham, Nottinghamshire, has now set up a weekly group based at Heathfield Community Centre in Basford.

She said: "The idea is to help signpost parents and carers to essential services, health and mental health support workers."

Ms Mathers said she hoped the group would provide a place for families to relax and share their experiences.

"It's a bespoke service that will hopefully solve some of the problems SEND parents face every day," she added.

"From the very start you are basically facing everything alone.

"You have your health workers and your paediatricians, but all these places are in separate directions and you're just being pulled every which way."

Ms Mathers added: "There's services here and there but what we need is some sort of service that can link every other service."

The group, which met for the first time on 27 June, is being funded by The Pythian Club, a non-profit community support group based at the centre, until a permanent sponsor can be found.

Ms Mathers hopes the group will one day be able to offer training courses and establish links to other support services.

Fay Fox-Goodhand, a mother of two children with autism and ADHD, is among those who have visited so far.

The 46-year-old from Nuthall said: "It's lovely to be able to come to a place where you are heard and listened to.

"It can be very isolating being a parent of a child or children with SEND and a lot of people don't know where to go and find support.

"It helps my daughter to get out and somewhere else to turn to, it's just a nice, quiet environment for her."

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