NipintheBud

14/08/2026

Summer holidays can be lovely. But for some neurodivergent children, six weeks without the usual routine can feel like a lot.

The school day gives children lots of things they know are coming next. In the holidays, all of that can suddenly change.
Different days. Different places. Different food. More people. More noise. Less routine.
And lots of “What are we doing today?”
For children who are neurodivergent or particularly sensitive to their surroundings, that can be tiring and sometimes overwhelming.

Having a few ideas up your sleeve can make a real difference.
Not because you need to fill every day, and definitely not because every day needs to be an exciting adventure.

Sometimes it's just helpful to have a few things you know your child might enjoy or manage well - whether that's a quiet outing, a familiar place, something sensory, a free local activity or something to do at home.

We've pulled together some summer resources and ideas for families with neurodivergent or sensitive children, including ways to find more manageable and sensory-friendly days out.

👉 Find the summer resources here: https://tr.ee/ilN_z5CbMi

And remember: you don't have to create the perfect summer. You just need to find what works for your child and your family. ❤️

13/08/2026

"How do families with SEND children cope with summer holidays?

"Imagine being handcuffed to the person you love most... he needs that one-to-one care constantly – he can't do anything for himself."

That's how Sam, from Thorney, near Peterborough, describes caring for her son Alex, 14, who has complex needs caused by a rare genetic condition.

Unable to walk or eat independently, Alex also has drug-resistant epilepsy. Sam sleeps beside his bed to monitor seizures and breathing problems through the night.

While she says she loves her son unconditionally, the relentless demands of caregiving are "draining and not sustainable".

Her experience reflects the challenges facing families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), especially during the school holidays." Read more here:

Parents say a shortage of suitable holiday activities leaves them providing care 24 hours a day.

12/08/2026

Sometimes supporting a child's mental health starts with helping the family around them find practical support.
Financial pressure can affect family life in ways that children feel, even when adults try to protect them from it. For schools and holiday clubs supporting families this summer, signposting matters. We've created a free, practical resource that brings together support families can access, please share it with the families you work with.
If you're a:
Summer Club Team
SENCO
Pastoral Lead
DSL
Family Support Worker
Teacher
- you may be one of the people a family trusts enough to ask, “Do you know where we can get help?” We've brought together practical sources of support that schools can share with families who may need them.
📌 Save the resource and share it with the families you support: https://tr.ee/kA85zq_66u
Out of School Alliance School's Out Activities Ltd Holiday Clubs Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

24/07/2026

It's incredible experts like Professor Eamon McCrory from the

22/07/2026

Find out more about our work and how we support families and schools by creating expert & evidence-led films and other resources - all Free - in collaboration with experts and with families with lived experience of the topics we cover around children's mental health

20/07/2026

When it comes to advice for parents or carers of children who have experienced trauma, here at Nip in the Bud we know how critical it is to cut through all the "noise" and bring you the advice straight from the incredible experts we work with, like Professor Eamon McCrory.

10/07/2026

We need to talk about stigma in children’s mental health
So often, the beliefs we hold about mental health can actually delay children getting the support they need.

“Stigma protects children”
But in reality, it often stops help from arriving early enough.

“Mental health struggles are rare in children”
But they are far more common than many people realise.

“If a child is coping, there’s no concern”
But many children are quietly masking how hard things really feel.

These assumptions show up everywhere, at home, in schools, and across our communities.

In our film on stigma, we hear from Dr Petra Gronholm (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ), Beth Gallimore (King's College London ), and Sharon and Earle Dowse, exploring public stigma, self-stigma, family stigma and structural stigma.

Watch the film here: https://bit.ly/3DPfnbA

What myths or assumptions about children’s mental health do you still hear? In your home, school, or community?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. mumsnet.com Netmums Parentkind Parentkind

08/07/2026

In case you're new here - we’re Nip in the Bud, a charity working to improve children’s mental health through early understanding and support, helping parents, carers and teachers spot concerns earlier and feel more confident in how to respond. Our “About Us” film shares who we are and why we exist.

All of our resources are Free, evidence-led, and created with leading clinicians.

Watch the film to learn more about our work and impact and get in touch with any questions you have!

If you believe in early support for children’s mental health, we’d love you to share this 💙
Netmums Netmums London Netmums bury Netmums Basingstoke Mumsnet Camden
mumsnet.com Mumsnet Northampton Mumsnet Slough Mumsnet Local Mumsnet Westminster & City

03/07/2026

Lived experience is a vital part of how we can make a change, so our film with Marcia Brissett-Bailey has been a vital resource for both parents, teachers, school leaders, and policy makers when we think about how our schools MUST be proactively inclusive - watch more here: https://bit.ly/3RMiS7b

02/07/2026

If you're a teacher and you need to get hold of evidence-based FREE resources for your primary school class - we've got you! Learn more in our bio or at nipinthebud.org