SEN SEVA

16/05/2026

“We manage. We smile. But inside, we break.”

Behind closed doors, many SEND parents are carrying more than people realise.

🟡 The constant advocating.
🧡 The exhaustion.
🟡 The guilt.
🧡 The isolation.
🟡 The pressure to stay strong even when you’re struggling yourself.

Within many Sikh and South Asian communities, these conversations are still too often hidden behind silence and stigma.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, SEN Seva is shining a light on the quiet emotional weight many families carry every single day.

🧡 You are not alone.

We’ve shared a reflection on mental health, stigma and the invisible load of SEND parenting in our communities.

Read the full article via the link below

https://open.substack.com/pub/senseva/p/the-quiet-weight-many-send-families?r=4mf20f&utm_medium=ios

BBC London ASK Care Ltd.Sunny and Shay Sikhs For AutismAtam AcademySikh Women SocietySikh ChannelDisabled Children's PartnershipSpecial Needs JungleAnnakennedyonline

28/04/2026

🧡 Your voice matters. Your experience matters.

We’re supporting an important piece of research led by a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire focused on South Asian parents of autistic children and their experiences navigating support after diagnosis.

Too often, our communities are underrepresented, misunderstood, or overlooked when it comes to autism support. Cultural stigma, language barriers, and lack of culturally appropriate services are real challenges many families face.

This study is about changing that, by listening, learning, and making sure services better reflect the needs of South Asian families.

💬 If you are:
• A South Asian parent
• With an autistic child aged 2–18 (diagnosed in the UK)
• Living in the UK

👉 You can take part in a confidential 1:1 interview (online)
👉 Interpreters can be arranged if needed
👉 £15 voucher provided as a thank you

Your story could help shape more inclusive, culturally responsive support for families across the UK.

📲 See poster for details and how to register your interest

Let’s make sure our voices are heard not just now, but for future families too.

24/04/2026

‼️‼️ I nearly missed this… and now there’s only about 24 hours left.‼️‼️

Somewhere between fighting systems, supporting families, meetings, and just trying to keep everything moving… I missed the email.

But I’ve been nominated for a Local Hero Award – Game Changer 2026.

And honestly that stopped me for a moment today, amidst the discussions of what our strategy will be to support families of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

This isn’t about me it’s about all of those who work relentlessly to support families.

It’s about every parent who has ever sat there feeling lost, unheard, or completely alone in a system that should have supported them.

It’s for the families who didn’t know where to turn.
The ones who just needed someone to listen.
The ones who trusted me with their stories.

The tears shared.
The battles fought.
The moments where we held each other up when it all felt too much.

Through SEN SEVA and , this work has never been about recognition, it’s about making sure no family walks this journey alone.

But moments like this matter.

Because recognition brings visibility.
Visibility brings influence.
And influence helps us push for the change families deserve.

So to whoever nominated me “thank you”.

It means more than I can put into words.

With such a short window left, if you’ve ever felt supported, heard, or even a little less alone through what we do, I’d be so grateful for your vote.

https://localheroawards.com/vote

👉 Link above
(Select Game Changer Award → Parveen Mahal)

This isn’t for me.
This is for all of us. ❤️

17/04/2026

⭐️ THREE YEARS OF SEN SEVA ⭐️

🟡 Silence wasn’t working. So we broke it.🟡

We turned 3 yesterday….. and yes, we are posting this a day late.
Because SEND doesn’t pause. And honestly… neither do we. As SEND parents ourselves we too are not immune to the problems faced by families.

Three years ago, something didn’t feel right.

Families were going into Gurdwaras, spaces that should feel safe and instead felt judged, misunderstood and sometimes even blamed.

At home it wasn’t much easier.
Extended families didn’t always understand.
Stigma meant things stayed hidden.
Parents were carrying it all on their own.

So we started SEN Seva.

Because this isn’t just about breaking stigma but also looking at the health inequalities which exist in our communities too.

If you don’t understand the system,
if English isn’t your first language,
if you don’t feel safe to ask for help…
you get left behind.

We see that. All the time.

So we’ve done things differently.

We’ve taken SEND into Gurdwaras and community spaces.
We’ve run activities for children, just giving them a space to be themselves, for the sangat to start accepting and championing them.
We’ve had honest conversations, even when they’ve been uncomfortable.
We’ve brought in therapists who speak the language, so parents can actually understand what support looks like.

And we’re grateful to those who have opened their doors and given us space to do this, it really does matter.

Slowly, things are changing.

We’ve seen parents go from sitting quietly to asking questions, to speaking up for their children.

That shift means everything.

We’re 3 years in.
Still learning.
Still pushing.
Still showing up.

We’re not done. Not even close. Exciting things ahead.

Thank you to everyone for your support, in helping us to start breaking down the barriers, to building culturally sensitive spaces for our families.

❤️

14/04/2026

Vaisakhi isn’t just history. It’s a moment of transformation.

On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave us the Khalsa, a path rooted in equality, courage, and standing for justice, no matter the cost.

A reminder that every human being has dignity.
That no one is less.
That we are all responsible for one another.

And today… that message feels deeply personal.

Because in the SEND world, too many children are still unseen and too many families are still fighting just to be heard.

Vaisakhi teaches us that faith is not passive.
It is lived. It is action.

✨ Daya (Compassion) — to truly see every child and family.
✨ Dharam (Righteousness) — to challenge what is unjust.
✨ Himmat (Courage) — to speak when others cannot.
✨ Mohkam (Steadfastness) — to keep going, even when it’s exhausting.
✨ Sahib (Leadership) — to serve with humility and create safe spaces for others.

This is Sikhi in action.

Not just in what we believe but in how we show up every single day.

Through SEN Seva, through every parent supported, every barrier challenged, every voice amplified this is how we honour that legacy.

Because every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued not as an afterthought, but as equal.

Vaisakhi reminds us we don’t wait for change.
We rise. We serve. We stand together.

🧡 Sarbat da bhala — for the wellbeing of all.
🧡Happy Vaisakhi to all

06/04/2026

Yesterday’s Vaisakhi event was amazing 💛✨

Full of joy, colour and real community spirit. So lovely celebrating such a meaningful part of our culture together 🙏

AND the love for SEN Seva today… honestly heartwarming.
So many of you came over, shared your stories and even offered to volunteer, we will be in touch 🧡

We’re building something beautiful together🙏Atam Academy Sikh Channel Sikhs For Autism Sikh Women Society Disabled Children's Partnership Tandy Virdee Eternity Events

01/11/2025

09/10/2025

✨ SEND Arts & Craft Session – Celebrate Bandi Chor Divas with SEN Seva! ✨

Bandi Chor Divas reminds us of freedom, light, and compassion, values that inspire everything we do at SEN Seva 💛

Join us for a beautiful SEND-friendly arts and craft afternoon with Station, where children can paint diyas, make cards, and express their creativity in a calm, understanding space 🌸

We’re proud to build stronger and inclusive Sikh SEND communities, offering safe, non-judgemental spaces for families to connect, create, and grow together.

📍 Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Seven Kings
📅 Sunday 12th October 2025
🕒 3PM – 5PM
💰 £5 per family

🎟️ Booking essential via Eventbrite - link below
👩‍👧 Parents/carers must stay with their children

Let’s celebrate the light of inclusion and togetherness this Bandi Chor Divas 🪔


Sikhs For Autism Redbridge Chums & Mums Redbridge Parents Atam Academy Sikh Human Rights Group Disabled Children's Partnership Sikh Women Society Everythings 13 - Basics of Sikhi ASK Care Ltd. Singh Sabha Sports Club Kam Kahlon Parveen Mahal BBC London Sunny and Shay Singh Sabha London East

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/send-arts-craft-session-celebrating-bandi-chor-divas-tickets-1785865284139?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/08/2025

🌸Summer Holidays & SEND – When the Days Feel Long 🌸

The summer holidays can be a blessing… but for many parents and carers of SEND children and young people, they can also feel overwhelming.

For my daughter, the struggle started even before school broke up. Just knowing that next year will bring changes set her anxiety in motion. And since the holidays began, it’s been hard, not just for her, but for me too.

School gives her structure, a sense of purpose, and a place where she belongs. Without it, she can feel adrift. The days can be long, the loneliness real. Even the fun things we plan don’t always fill that gap. As our children grow older, the challenge changes and sometimes deepens.

And here’s the truth we don’t often say this out loud: in our South Asian community, it can feel like we’re not always wrapped in love and understanding. Stigma still lingers. People may avoid talking about disability or differences, as if silence will make it easier. But for us, silence can feel isolating.

Our children don’t need pity, they need acceptance, friendship, and inclusion. And as parents, so do we.

If you are feeling the weight of the holidays right now, the long days, the worries for your child, the loneliness, know you’re not alone. There’s a whole community here who do understand. Reach out to us. 🙏💞

Let’s build an inclusive South Asian community for our beautifully gifted children 💪🏼💞. AnnakennedyonlineSikh Education CouncilAtam AcademySikh ChannelSpecial Needs JungleSikhs For AutismDisabled Children's PartnershipSikh Women SocietyEverythings 13 - Basics of SikhiASK Care Ltd.Singh Sabha Sports ClubSingh Sabha London EastSikh Human Rights GroupPACT for Autism BBC LondonBBC Asian Network