HemiHelp

04/05/2026

Looking for something fun (and meaningful) to do with the kids this June? Take on the DinoDay Challenge together and turn your adventures into life-changing support for disabled children.

🦖 Pick any activity, get a FREE t-shirt and tracker!

🦖 Raise £40 for a medal!

🦖 Hit £150 for a dino trophy!

🦖 Make memories and support a vital cause!

Register at bit.ly/DinoSocial

01/05/2026

Want to improve your campaigning skills?

Do you want to share your views with MPs and local decision-makers, but you’re not sure where to start, or how to do this effectively?

You are invited to join our online campaigning skills workshop on Thursday 30 April at 12pm.

In this session, you’ll learn how to build positive relationships with politicians. You’ll also gain practical tips on how to engage effectively once the White Paper consultation closes.

Find out more and book here:

Thank you to everyone who took part in our SEND White Paper focus groups. We have heard from many parent carers who feel strongly about the proposed changes and want to raise the issues that matter to them and their disabled child. Do you want to share your views with MPs and local decision-makers,....

30/04/2026

For parent carers in England only:
As a parent carer of a child with hemiplegia we know your experience of the SEND system is unique. Hemiplegia can be misunderstood. From the outside, your child may appear to cope in a mainstream school - but you see the daily challenges they face, the fatigue, the isolation, and the effort it can sometimes take just to keep up. You may also face judgement from others who don’t fully understand.
Your experience and views matter and the government’s Schools White Paper and consultation on proposals for SEND reform in England is your opportunity to share what’s working - and what isn’t. Your voice can help shape changes that recognise the hidden impact of hemiplegia and the importance of understanding and support for children like yours.
We encourage parents who have the time and energy to complete the consultation themselves to make sure hemiplegia is part of the conversation. Find out more about how to here: https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/news-and-views/making-sure-parent-voices-are-heard-in-the-schools-white-paper-consultation/
Alternatively, you can share your thoughts here so Contact can take them into consideration when drafting our organisational response to the government's consultation which closes on 18 May.

Since the Schools White paper for England was published, there’s been growing concern from parents about the proposals and about whether their voices are being heard in the consultation process. Contact has been speaking directly to parents about their concerns and insights. We will combine this p...

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at HemiHelp & Contact! ✨💫

Whatever 2026 brings, you won’t face it alone. Our helpline will be open again at 9.30am on 2nd January 2026 💚

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at HemiHelp & Contact🎄💚

Today, we’re thinking of every family in our community, those celebrating, those resting, those navigating challenges, and those finding their own unique ways to make Christmas work.

Thank you for being part of a community that lifts each other up. We’re proud to stand with you, today and always. 💚

24/12/2025

🎅🎄 Christmas & New Year helpline opening hours 🎄🎅

As the festive period approaches, we want to let families know about our advice and information helpline opening hours over Christmas and where to find support while our service is closed.

Our helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December) and will reopen at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.

During this time, our email inboxes, web forms, live chat, and social media pages will be unmoderated. If you contact us while we’re closed, we’ll respond as soon as possible after we reopen.

You can still find lots of trusted advice on our website at any time. Our chatbot, Charlie, is available 24/7 to help guide you to information quickly and easily.

If you need to speak to someone urgently, the following services are available throughout the festive period:

💚 Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)
💚 CALM – 0800 585858 (5pm–midnight)
💚 SHOUT – Text 85258 (24/7)
💚 The Trussell Trust – Find your nearest food bank for emergency food support - https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank

Scotland: Our Scotland enquiry service is closed from 18 December, reopening 5 January. Support is available via Children First (0800 028 2233) and other national services.

Northern Ireland: Our NI office is closed from 18 December, reopening 5 January. Lifeline NI is available 24/7 on 0808 808 8000.

Wales: Our Wales office is closed from 24 December, reopening 5 January. Support is available from Family Lives (0808 800 2222) and via Fareshare Cymru’s community food map.

We know Christmas can be a difficult time for many families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the services above if you need support, and we’ll be here again as soon as our offices reopen 💚

19/12/2025

Our UK-wide advice and information helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve (24 December) and reopen at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.

While we’re closed, our emails, web forms, live chat and social media pages will be unmoderated. We’ll respond as soon as we can once we reopen.

You can still find advice on our website at any time, and Charlie the chatbot is available 24/7 to help you find information.

Find out where you can access support this festive period here 👇

Contact's helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24 December and will re-open at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.