Special Families East Grinstead - Facebook based support group run by and for parents and carers.
Service
Special Families East Grinstead is a Facebook based support group run by and for parents and carers. We provide events and have monthly coffee mornings. We welcome families from East Grinstead and the surrounding area whose children have any kind of disability or additional needs.
What we do:
- Special Families was established in 2014 by two mums who wanted to have local support and activities available for their disabled children and their siblings. We are now run by a committee of parent volunteers and have small charity status.
- We hold a monthly coffee morning with guest speakers at coffee shop in The Chequer Mead Theatre. Dates vary and are generally published at least one month in advance.
- Our popular Stay and Play sessions for the whole family are held at The Kings Centre. Activities include bouncy castle, football, racquet sports, art table. Please check our website or facebook page.
- We also work in partnership with other organisations to promote and facilitate local special needs events. These include supportive cinema screenings, sporting activities and parent workshops.
- Our closed Facebook group allows members to share information and gain peer to peer support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialfamilieseg/ We also have a website with up to date info:- https://www.specialfamilieseg.org
Our users say:
"Special Families have helped me realise that I'm not the only one who struggles and I'm never alone! Someone is always able to offer advice when needed."
Age Range: 0–19
Free to use?
Contact Details
07884 342 070
Special Families East Grinstead has been such a lovely, welcoming group for us moving into the area. In our old region, there was nothing like this at all. The founder and committee members work so hard to support local families and create events that cater to the extremely broad range of needs of group members. This is despite the fact that they too are dealing with the same issues day to day. There is always a listening and supportive ear on the Facebook group and people can be open about issues they encounter and will always find sympathy, and empathy from others in a similar boat. In the current climate, funding, donations or sponsorship is extremely hard to come by, but group members never stop working at this and it would be hard to find a more deserving cause that enriches the lives of such a number of families in difficult situations.
"I would like to say how fantastic Special Families East Grinstead are. Emma Bashford and her team work incredibly hard, supporting parents and sourcing many activities for our special children. The coffee mornings are great for me to chat to other parents and the autism friendly screenings at Scott cinema are also fantastic. I cannot praise Special Families enough. For me they are an absolute lifeline and essential for me and many other parents. I would not be where I am without their help and support. A huge thanks to Emma and her team xx"
This comment has been posted by the Local Offer Officer as the feedback was left anonymously using the 'feedback tab' versus 'share your experience' on the summary card.
Special Families East Grinstead is a wonderful, friendly group. The Kings Centre session is great fun and the Facebook group is a fantastic resource, so useful, warm and supportive.