Bristol Parent Carers

Parson Street Primary | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-01-20 09:00 - 10:30 (Europe/London) | Parson Street Primary School, Bedminster Road, Bedminster, England, BS3 5NR, United Kingdom
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Coffee Mornings for parents and carers of children with SEND

Bristol Parent Carer Forum hosts coffee mornings from schools for parent carers of children and young adults that have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
There is no need to book but if you can, that is helpful. Please come along for a chat with our volunteers and other families who “get it”. We are happy to talk through any problems or issues you are facing over a nice cup of tea (or coffee!) and you can find out more information on what support is available locally for your child or a child you care for.
I﻿f you need additional support to access this coffee morning such as support with English or other adjustments, please let us know.
An important role of the Parent Carer Forum is to hear about the experiences of parent carers in Bristol. We would like to hear from you about your experiences with SEND services so that we can be sure that your voice is heard and that we can shape the future of SEND services together.

Exploring Trauma: Building Emotional Safety for Children and Young People
2026-01-20 10:00 - 13:00 | St Anne’s House – Community And Creative Hub, Saint Anne's Road, Brislington, England, BS4 4AB, United Kingdom
A supportive session for parents and carers on trauma and building emotional safety for children and young people with SEND

Welcome to Exploring Trauma: Building Emotional Safety for children and Young People with SEND.
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Emma Spillane, a Therapeutic coach and Theraplay-informed practitioner and Trauma trainer at St Anne’s House on Tuesday 20th January at 10AM.
Our in person sessions are a great way to connect with other parent carers in a relaxed and welcoming space. We’ll have snacks and refreshments — so come along, have a cuppa, and take some time for you while getting helpful information and support.
Understanding trauma can help us make sense of the behaviours, emotions and challenges we sometimes see in children and young people with SEND. This gentle and informative session is designed to help parents and carers explore what trauma is, how it can show up, and how early experiences may affect a child’s development and wellbeing.
In this session, we will cover:

A clear and compassionate explanation of what trauma is and how it presents in children and young people with SEND.

Insight in to how early life experiences can shape behaviour, development and responses to stress.

An overview of common trauma responses and what they might look like in daily life.

Gentle, practical ideas for creating a sense of emotional safety and support at home and in school.

Time for reflection, discussion and shared understanding with other parent carers.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided – please submit your dietary requirements using this form. Please submit your requirements no later than one week before the session to give the caterers time to prepare.
Places are free for parent carers who live in Bristol or have a child at a school in Bristol, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Safeguarding Health Through Body Shape Protection
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 | England
Join Anna Goldsmith and Bristol Parent Carers for this session on Body Shape Protection

Welcome to Safeguarding Health Through Body Shape Protection.
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Anna Goldsmith from Simple Stuff Works on Tuesday 20th January at 7pm.
In this session, we’ll explore the essentials of body shape protection and why it matters. We’ll look at how the body can change over time and, more importantly, the practical steps we can take to maximise positioning to safeguard health and wellbeing.
This session will be recorded so we can share it with other families afterwards, and so you can revisit it yourself at a later date. Recordings are securely stored and will be available for 60 days.
In this session, we will cover:

Why body shape changes can happen and the impact this can have on overall health.
Strategies to protect and maintain body shape, ensuring comfort and dignity.
How to create effective, plans in collaboration with those who need to be involved.
Positive, practical actions you can implement straight away.

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Hotwells Primary School | PINS Session | School Families Only
2026-01-22 09:00 - 10:30 | Hotwells Primary School, Hope Chapel Hill, Hotwells, England, BS8 4ND, United Kingdom

Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers | South Bristol
2026-01-22 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-02-05 10:30 - 12:30 | Inns Court Community & Family Centre, 1 Marshall Walk, Bristol, England, BS4 1TR, United Kingdom
South Bristol Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers

We’re delighted to host our friendly, monthly Coffee Mornings in South Bristol — a welcoming, relaxed space for parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to connect, unwind and feel supported.
Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm, and hoping to meet others who truly get it, you’ll be met with warmth, understanding and a community that’s here for you.
Although the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, we do ask that families book a free place via Eventbrite so we can manage numbers and make sure the space is comfortable for everyone. We also know that life as a SEND parent or carer can be unpredictable — if you book and then can’t make it, please don’t worry. You’re always welcome to join us next time.
At each session, our reps and other local families will be on hand for supportive conversation, whether you’d like to chat about challenges, share experiences, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with others who understand.
You’ll often also find other local services joining us, offering everything from carer support advice to information about events and opportunities in the area.

Getting Started: Understanding support for your child’s needs
2026-01-22 12:30 - 14:30 | Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership (HWCP) The Symes Resource Centre, Peterson Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol, England, BS13 0BE, United Kingdom
Join us to learn all about supporting your child’s needs!

Getting Started: Understanding Support for Your Child’s Needs
Are you just starting to look for support for your child’s development, behaviour, learning, or wellbeing?
Feeling unsure where to begin or who to turn to?
You’re not alone and this session is here to help. Join us for a friendly and informative session which offers clear, practical guidance in a relaxed and supportive space.
What We’ll Cover:
Education – Understanding how schools can offer support when a child is finding things difficult.
Health – An overview of health supoort such as doctors, therapists or community health teams and how to access support.
Social Care – Support available through the local council – who might be eligible and how to access help caring for your child.
Working Together – Simple ways to bring information together across school, health and home.
Knowing Your Rights – An overview of your rights as a parent or carer and support you can access.
Q&A – Ask your questions!You can ask about things that matter to you.
This session is for families who are just starting out, so we might not be able to answer every question.If you can, please send your questions to us before the session: https://forms.office.com/e/n5XgeA7zMS
*Please note, to attend this event you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Sefton Park Primary | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-01-26 09:00 - 10:30 | Sefton Park Infants & Junior Schools, Saint Bartholomews Road, Bristol, England, BS7 9BJ, United Kingdom

Peer Support Session with Bristol Parent Carers | Online
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 | England
Welcome to Bristol Parent Carers support session.

We’re delighted to host our friendly, monthly online drop in session — a welcoming, relaxed space for parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to connect, unwind and feel supported.
Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm, and hoping to meet others who truly get it, you’ll be met with warmth, understanding and a community that’s here for you.
Although the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, we do ask that families book a free place via Eventbrite so we can manage numbers. We also know that life as a SEND parent or carer can be unpredictable — if you book and then can’t make it, please don’t worry. You’re always welcome to join us next time.

At each session, our reps and other local families will be on hand for supportive conversation, whether you’d like to chat about challenges, share experiences, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with others who understand.
You’ll often also find other local services joining us, offering everything from carer support advice to information about events and opportunities in the area.

*Please note, to attend this event you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council) or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area and you must have a child with Special Educational Needs but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

New Fosseway School | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-01-28 09:00 - 10:30 | New Fosseway School, Teyfant Road, Avon, England, BS13 0RG, United Kingdom

Ilminster Nursery School | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-01-28 11:15 - 12:30 | Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, 164 Ilminster Avenue, Bristol, England, BS4 1BX, United Kingdom
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Coffee Mornings for parents and carers of children with SEND

Bristol Parent Carer Forum hosts coffee mornings from schools for parent carers of children and young adults that have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
There is no need to book but if you can, that is helpful. Please come along for a chat with our volunteers and other families who “get it”. We are happy to talk through any problems or issues you are facing over a nice cup of tea (or coffee!) and you can find out more information on what support is available locally for your child or a child you care for.
If you need additional support to access this coffee morning such as support with English or other adjustments, please let us know.
An important role of the Parent Carer Forum is to hear about the experiences of parent carers in Bristol. We would like to hear from you about your experiences with SEND services so that we can be sure that your voice is heard and that we can shape the future of SEND services together.

Chester Park Primary | PINS Session | School Families only
2026-01-29 09:00 - 10:30 | Chester Park Junior School, Abingdon Road, Bristol, England, BS16 3NX, United Kingdom

West Town Lane Academy | PINS Session | School Families Only
2026-01-29 09:00 - 10:30 | West Town Lane Academy, West Town Lane, Brislington, England, BS4 5DT, United Kingdom

St. Joseph's Catholic Primary | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-01-29 09:00 - 10:30 | St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Chatsworth Road, Fishponds, England, BS16 3QR, United Kingdom

ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
2026-01-29 19:00 - 21:00 | England
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Neurodiversity Training as we explore ARFID and how to support your child or young person with this need.

Welcome to ARFID – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Loren snow from Neurodiverse Training on Thursday 29th January at 7PM.
In this session we will explore underlying sensory, anxiety and neurodivergent factors that can give rise to restrictive and avoidant eating, with lots of support and guidance on understanding and supporting your child or young person with this need.
This session will not be recorded.
In this session, we will cover:

Understanding ARFID
Possible causes and contributing factors
Ways to support your child or young person with ARFID
And much more

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Henleaze Infant School | PINS Session | School Families only
2026-02-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Henleaze Infant School, Park Grove, Henleaze, England, BS9 4LG, United Kingdom

Waycroft Academy | PINS Session | School Families Only
2026-02-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Waycroft Academy, Selden Road, Bristol, England, BS14 8PS, United Kingdom

Collegiate School | SEND Coffee Morning | School Families only
2026-02-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Collegiate School, Bell Hill, Stapleton, England, BS16 1BJ, United Kingdom

Sensory Wellbeing for SEND families
2026-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | England
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Alice Hoyle for this guide on Sensory wellbeing for the whole family

Welcome to Sensory Wellbeing for SEND Families
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Alice Hoyle, author of Becoming a Sensory-Aware School: A Toolkit to Develop a Whole School Approach for Sensory Wellbeing and sensory mum of sensory+ children, on Tuesday 3rd February at 7PM.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore our eight senses (yes, there are more than five!), explore what sensory wellbeing means, reflect on the sensory profiles within our families, and think about our window of tolerance and sensory thresholds.
This session will be recorded so we can share it with other families afterwards, and so you can revisit it yourself at a later date. Recordings are securely stored and will be available for 30 days.
In this session, we will cover:

Understanding our eight senses and sensory wellbeing
Exploring sensory profiles and thresholds within the family
Discovering the concept of Sensory Welldoing and a common sensory approach
Strategies for advocating for your child’s sensory needs at school

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free, you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Westbury on Trym CofE Academy | PINS Session | School Families only
2026-02-05 09:00 - 10:30 | Westbury-on-Trym Primary School, Channell's Hill, Bristol, England, BS9 3HZ, United Kingdom

Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers | East Bristol
2026-02-05 09:00 - 11:00 | BS16 3UH, Fishponds Road, Fishponds, England, BS16 3UH, United Kingdom
East Bristol SEND drop-in coffee morning for parents and carers of disabled children

We’re delighted to host our friendly, monthly Coffee Mornings in East Bristol — a welcoming, relaxed space for parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to connect, unwind and feel supported.
Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm, and hoping to meet others who truly get it, you’ll be met with warmth, understanding and a community that’s here for you.
Although the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, we do ask that families book a free place via Eventbrite so we can manage numbers and make sure the space is comfortable for everyone. We also know that life as a SEND parent or carer can be unpredictable — if you book and then can’t make it, please don’t worry. You’re always welcome to join us next time.
At each session, our reps and other local families will be on hand for supportive conversation, whether you’d like to chat about challenges, share experiences, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with others who understand.
You’ll often also find other local services joining us, offering everything from carer support advice to information about events and opportunities in the area.

Christ Church CofE Primary | SEND Coffee Morning | School Families only
2026-02-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Christ Church C of E Primary School, Royal Park, Clifton, England, BS8 3AW, United Kingdom

Blaise Primary | PINS Session | School Families Only
2026-02-10 09:00 - 10:30 | Blaise Primary and Nursery School, Clavell Road, Henbury, England, BS10 7EJ, United Kingdom

Your Neurodiverse Child and Sleep
2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:00 | England
Join Bristol Parent Carers and the Sleep Academy for this session

Welcome to Your Neurodiverse Child and Sleep
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Kerry Davies from The Sleep Charity as we navigate the challenges of sleep in Children and young people with SEND. Whether your child struggles with falling asleep, staying asleep, or has other sleep-related issues, this event is designed to support you in finding solutions that work best for your family.
This session will be recorded so we can share it with other families afterwards, and so you can revisit it yourself at a later date. Recordings are securely stored and will be available for 60 days.
In this session, we will cover:

The anatomy of sleep
Tips and strategies to improve your child’s sleep routine
How good sleep hygiene can lead to better overall well-being
Q&As
And much more!

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

Bristol Cathedral Choir School | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-02-12 09:00 - 10:30 | Bristol Cathedral Choir School, College Square, Bristol, England, BS1 5TS, United Kingdom

Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers | North Bristol
2026-02-12 09:15 - 10:30 | Greenway Centre, Cafe & Gym, Doncaster Road, Bristol, England, BS10 5PY, United Kingdom
North Bristol SEND Coffee Morning

We’re delighted to host our friendly, monthly Coffee Mornings in North Bristol — a welcoming, relaxed space for parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to connect, unwind and feel supported.
Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm, and hoping to meet others who truly get it, you’ll be met with warmth, understanding and a community that’s here for you.
Although the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, we do ask that families book a free place via Eventbrite so we can manage numbers and make sure the space is comfortable for everyone. We also know that life as a SEND parent or carer can be unpredictable — if you book and then can’t make it, please don’t worry. You’re always welcome to join us next time.
At each session, our reps and other local families will be on hand for supportive conversation, whether you’d like to chat about challenges, share experiences, or simply enjoy a quiet moment with others who understand.
You’ll often also find other local services joining us, offering everything from carer support advice to information about events and opportunities in the area.

Complex Health Needs Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers | North
2026-02-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Greenway Centre, Cafe & Gym, Doncaster Road, Bristol, England, BS10 5PY, United Kingdom
Complex Health Needs Coffee Morning with Bristol Parent Carers | North Bristol

We host coffee mornings every month in North Bristol for parent carers of children and young adults that have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This session is aimed at families of children with complex medical needs but all are welcome.
`There is no need to book, please just come along for a chat with our reps and other families who “get it”. We are happy to talk through any problems or issues you are facing over a nice cup of tea (or coffee!).
We usually have other services at our coffee mornings who can help with a range of advice from carer’s support advice to information on local events.
An important role of the Parent Carer Forum is to hear about the experiences of parent carers in Bristol. We would like to hear from you about your experiences with SEND services so that we can be sure that your voice is heard so that we can shape the future of SEND services together.
To ensure an appointment with SEND and You, please make a reservation by obtaining a ticket in advance. Unfortunately, we may not have the capacity to accommodate walk-ins on the day of the event. Additionally, please take note that SEND and You as well as Carer Support Centre may not be available at every session, so we kindly request that you review your ticket carefully for specific details. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Avanti Gardens School | SEND Coffee Morning | School families only
2026-02-12 14:00 - 15:30 | England

Gaming and SEND: Balance, Benefits and Beyond
2026-02-12 18:30 - 20:00 | England
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Mind Jam as we explore the world og gaming

Welcome to Gaming and SEND: Balance, Benefits and Beyond
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Jess Wilson – Chief SEN Lead from Mindjam on Thursday 12th February at 6:30pm
In this session we will explore gaming and how, for many children and young people with SEND, it’s not just a past time but an important way to unwind, build skills, and be part of a community.
We will look at the benefits of gaming, how to find balance and manage boundaries.
This session will be recorded so we can share it with other families afterwards, and so you can revisit it yourself at a later date. Recordings are securely stored and will be available for 60 days.
In this session, we will cover:

An introduction to MindJam and how their mentoring works
The benefits of gaming – education, skill building, socialising, regulation
Concerns around gaming – regulation, how to manage dysregulation, gaming as a tool, getting involved in your child’s interest and supporting their interest
Progress – small wins and big wins
The games industry
Q&As

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.
*Please note, to attend this session for free, you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.

St Teresa's Catholic Primary | SEND Coffee Morning | School Families only
2026-02-24 09:00 - 10:30 | St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, 71 Luckington Road, Bristol, England, BS7 0UP, United Kingdom
