Every Wednesday afternoon, families come together at Brookside Family Hub in Kidderminster for our SEN Support Group for children with special educational needs and their parents and carers. In this blog you’ll hear from families who attend our West Midlands SEN Group and learn how it helps them.
Running from 4.15pm to 5.45pm, the session offers something that many families struggle to find a welcoming, understanding space where children with additional needs can be themselves and parents can connect with others who truly understand their journey.
Our group currently runs thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, which enabled us to deliver 45 weeks of support for SEN families in Kidderminster and the surrounding Worcestershire area.
To help show the impact of the group, we recently recorded a parent and carer Q&A video, giving families the chance to share in their own words what the group means to them.
Their responses highlight just how important spaces like this are for the local SEN community.
If you would like your child to attend one of our weekly sessions, you can find full details about the group, session times and how to book on our Free Weekly SEN Support Sessions page.
Finding Inclusive Support for Children With Special Educational Needs In Worcestershire
For many parents and carers, finding activities or groups that truly accommodate children with special educational needs (SEN) can be extremely challenging.
Lauren shared how difficult this had been before finding the group:
“The groups that I’d been to before didn’t accommodate for kids with special educational needs, so it was very difficult to try and find a group that didn’t give judgement while we was there.”
Sadly, this is something we hear often from families. Many parents feel anxious attending mainstream groups where their children’s needs may not be understood.
Our SEN Group was created to change that.
Here, families know they are entering a judgement-free environment, where children can play, explore and socialise without pressure, and where parents don’t feel they need to apologise for their child simply being themselves.
Reducing Isolation for SEN Parents and Carers
Parenting a child with additional needs can sometimes feel isolating, especially when families feel they are navigating the journey alone.
Amber explained how important the group is for parents who may be new to the world of SEN:
“I’d 100% go for it. You might be new to this like I was. There’s no one in my family who has a child with additional needs. If there’s anyone who needs support or is thinking maybe I should come, do it. Even if you’re not sure and you’re not the most outgoing person, take that chance more for your children than anything. It is a safe space for them to run around, people understand each other and there’s no judgement, which is the main thing.”
For many families, what begins as a first visit quickly becomes something they look forward to each week.
Children build friendships. Parents connect with others who understand the realities of raising children with additional needs. Slowly, isolation begins to fade as a supportive local SEN community grows.
What Would Happen If The SEN Support Group Ended?
The group currently operates through 45 weeks of funding, but families have been honest about how much they now rely on the support it provides.
Amy shared what it would mean if the sessions could no longer continue:
“It would be devastating. We’d just be sat at home, another night doing nothing, so it would be heartbreaking if this couldn’t continue anymore.”
For many families, this weekly session has become more than just an activity.
It is:
- a safe haven for children with additional needs
- a place where parents feel understood
- an opportunity to build friendships within the SEN community
- a way to reduce isolation for families
Bridging a Much-Needed Gap for SEN Families in Kidderminster
The voices of the parents and carers in our video clearly show that there is a real and growing need for inclusive support spaces for SEN families in Kidderminster and across Worcestershire.
Our group has helped bridge that gap by providing:
- A welcoming environment for children with special educational needs.
- Support and connection for parents and carers
- A safe, judgement-free space where families feel accepted
- Opportunities for children and parents to build lasting friendships
For many families, Wednesday afternoons have become something they genuinely look forward to.
Children arrive excited to see their friends. Parents arrive knowing they’ll be met with understanding smiles and supportive conversations.
Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs. Book your child on our free SEN Support sessions.
Watch the Parent Q&A Video
We invite you to watch the video and hear directly from the parents and carers who attend our SEN Support Group.
Their words show the true impact of this group and why spaces like this are so important for families raising children with additional needs.
Help Us Continue Supporting SEN Families
The support we have received so far has helped us create a safe, welcoming space for local families. However, the need for this group continues beyond the initial 45 weeks of funding.
We hope that by sharing the voices of the parents and carers who attend, people can see just how valuable this group has become to families in our community.
With continued support, we can keep providing a place where SEN children can thrive, parents can find understanding, and families no longer feel alone. If you’d like to donate to support our SEN support group then please donate and help families with special needs.
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