SEND Friends

19/06/2026

A little update- firstly, thanks to everyone who has checked in, I really appreciate the thought and care 🙏🏻 I’m still here quietly in the background, cheering on the good community happenings, slow living, taking care of myself as I support my own children through their annual reviews and transitions and just generally through day to day life. Due to not taking on any paid work currently- I’m unwilling to do so unless I can give the care, attention and energy you deserve- funds are at an all time low and so I’ve reduced my website and paused my email service. I’m still available via Facebook Messenger and I respond as life allows. I will never close the door on anyone needing help- those of you who have politely messaged to see if I have capacity to help I would hope still feel supported to the best of my current ability, I will always signpost onward if I can’t help (or even if it’s just more appropriate!). I thank you for the time and patience, the world is a lot right now and I hope you all find a way to rest and recharge in some way too, however small. 🫶 I’m perhaps at a bit of a crossroads for now, I want to support families in the way I know is needed, but doing so in this format has been tipping the balance in my own life- but I live and breathe SEND support so I’m sure I’ll find a way when the time is right and life allows! Who knows how ‘SEND Friends’ might evolve ☺️🙏🏻 I think often of all of the families I’ve supported so far, of all of the professionals I’ve had the joy to work with in any capacity and wishing you all well

17/06/2026

Fantastic offer coming up from GROVE - Online Community & Mentoring for Autistic Young People. I’m looking forward to finding out more as details are released 👏👏

We are excited to announce that GROVE is developing a new course:

Certificate in Mentoring Neurodivergent Young People

Every day, neurodivergent children and young people are supported by adults in schools, alternative provision, specific mentoring services, youth organisations, tutoring settings and community projects. Yet many professionals find themselves in these roles with little opportunity to explore neurodivergent experience, identity, communication, safety and wellbeing in depth.

This course has been created to help.

Grounded in the Neurodiversity Paradigm and informed by lived experience as well as professional and academic knowledge, the course will combine self-paced learning, optional live online sessions, reflective practice and contributions from respected specialists.

Suitable for:

• Exisiting or aspiring Mentors
• Youth workers
• Tutors
• Teaching assistants / LSAs
• SEND professionals
• Family support workers
• Alternative provision staff
• Anyone supporting neurodivergent young people through relationship-based practice

The course is suitable both for those new to mentoring and for experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding, strengthen their practice and develop a more neurodiversity-affirming approach.

This course is not about training participants to mentor in the same way we do – it is about giving access to the most up-to-date and affirming information about neurodivergent experience so that learners can apply that thoughtfully and ethically in their own context.

We are currently developing the course, securing contributors and working towards an externally accredited assessment pathway alongside a GROVE Certificate of Completion route.

Learn more on our website!

Applications will open in September 2026, with the first cohort beginning in January 2027.

10/06/2026

On behalf of the North East Lincolnshire’s Learning Disability Place Group:

Learning Disability Celebration Day
Tuesday, 16th June
10am – 3pm
at Café Aspire, Freeman Street Grimsby

They say:

“Save the date!

As part of National Learning Disability Week, we’re hosting a free, fun community event in North East Lincolnshire to celebrate people with learning disabilities and their achievements.

Everyone is welcome to join us for an interactive day with refreshments, information and guidance, and plenty of activities. Enjoy table-top cricket, Grimsby Town Football Club activities, the Linkage Sensory Bus, arts and crafts, and more.

There will also be a raffle with great prizes, including a hydrotherapy pool session, a weekend stay in a caravan, Salon 24 vouchers, meal out vouchers and much more. Come along to celebrate, connect and have fun.”

04/06/2026

Happy Pride Month 🌈

The world can feel heavy at times, but there is still so much love, acceptance and hope to be found. This month- and every day- we can celebrate the beauty of difference. You deserve to be seen, valued and respected for exactly who you are.

It’s so important to have safe spaces and safe people 🫶

01/06/2026

A fantastic opportunity from Sendiass North East Lincolnshire, the Big SEND Event!
‘This is a drop-in event where parents, carers, and young people can access information about support available for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in North East Lincolnshire.
A range of services from Education, Health, and Social Care will be attending.’👇🏻

08/05/2026

This isn’t a political page, and I don’t encourage political debate or discussion here. I just wanted to gently remind everyone that it’s okay to take a step back when things feel overwhelming.

Elections are important, but they can also bring a lot of stress and anxiety, especially alongside the weight of parent carer responsibilities and everyday life. I’ll personally be taking a little break from scrolling and following updates for a while to help ease my own worries about the future, and that’s an option open to all of us. Sometimes protecting your peace is the healthiest thing you can do.

For me, my plants and pets are a little refuge from the noise when I need one. Be gentle with yourselves 🫶

(Image credit: Self-Love Rainbow)

30/04/2026

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary for your EHE or EOTIS learners, another fabulous local option is STEMPunx Lincs CIC. One of my own gave a recent Exotics of the world session a go and had a wonderful experience. Allison has showed a true understanding of the potential barriers my child faced and supported them through it gently and confidently. They have all sorts of things going on, check out their page for timetables and details 🫶

27/04/2026

Oh wow! 🤩 what an incredible review from PDA Parenting🫶 Thank you ❤️
You can buy your copy here 👇🏻
https://amzn.eu/d/094GXgW9

24/04/2026

Wonderful offer from The Wild Ways supporting around PDA 👇🏻

We’re opening our next PDA drop-in 💜

A space for the questions you don’t quite know how to ask yet… and the moments that don’t make sense anywhere else.

No scripts. No judgement. No pressure to share.

Just people who understand the layers underneath.

🗓 Thursday 14th May
⏰ 10:00am
🔗 Zoom link will be shared closer to the time

Free. Always.
And if you’re in a place to give, your donation quietly opens the door for another family too.

22/04/2026

🥹🙏🏻🫶❤️

I was absolutely over the moon to be nominated as SEND Friends for two categories for the NEL SEND Awards- but a third category! 🥹🙏🏻 This one came through to my author email addressed to me as an individual. I’m so touched to have been thought of- thank you to anyone who has taken the time to put me forward. So very kind ❤️