Parents of children with additional needs in the Leeds area have been getting together and helping one another as part of a support group being run by St Luke’s Holbeck.
‘SEN-TASTIC’ is a parent support group for families with children with additional needs, providing a monthly coffee morning.
Emma and Penny, both parents of SEN children, who work and worship at the church, started the group 18 months ago, responding to their own families’ needs and the needs in the community around them.
In the area, there are many parents raising children with complex needs who struggle as they advocate and care for their kids.
‘SEN-TASTIC’ started to create a safe place for these parents to share experiences and socialise together.
Jo Young, part of the diocesan Children, Young People and Families Team, met Emma and Penny through our diocesan Additional Needs Learning Community, which they are part of and supports those who work with those with additional needs.
Jo went along to a recent SEN-TASTIC coffee morning so she could see the impact the group was having.
Jo said: “It is wonderful to see how St Luke’s has identified a need in their community and how God has guided them to meet it in such a beautiful way.
“The church is a place where families under pressure can find support and acceptance.”
Amongst the group, there are parents who have experience in applying for Disability Living Allowance and looking to get their child an EHCP (Educational Health and Care needs assessment); they share the lessons they learnt along the way to others who are just starting out.
The group invite organisations such as Leeds SENDIASS, SEND Navigators and local councillors in to give advice.
Parents of SEND children can struggle to make time to look after their own wellbeing, so recently Emma and Penny invited a specialist in mental wellbeing to deliver a session for the group, as well as organising a wonderful family Christmas party and a visit to the farm at Temple Newsam.
Those who attend SEN-TASTIC are from all different walks of life and different faiths.
Emma said: “It is our Christian faith that prompts us to care for these parents and families.
“We don’t preach at them about Jesus but we do invite them and their families to join us at church on Sunday.
“We hope they experience something of Jesus’ love for them when they come to SEN-TASTIC.”
When asked what SEN-TASTIC means to her, a mum who attends the group said: “These people are my family.
“I don’t have family here in this country and I’ve struggled so much but these people have shared their lives with me and they look after me.”
To develop this project, Emma, Penny and the Revd Alastair Kaye, vicar at St Luke’s, are applying for funding for St Luke’s to respond to the increasing need for one-to-one support, coaching and to expand the SEN-TASTIC sessions to more than once a month.
To find out more about SEN-TASTIC, please click here.
To find out more about our Additional Needs Learning Community, please click here.