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Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum April and May 'Listen to Me' meet-up dates
Published
Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum will be hosting more 'Listen to Me' coffee meet ups in April and May for parent carers in Gloucestershire.
Here a parent carer tells of her first experience at a 'Listen to Me' event
“I was directed by a professional to a ‘Listen to Me’ event hosted by Gloucester Parent Carer Forum for parent carers. For my first meeting, I sat outside the venue waiting to go in and thought it wasn’t for me, so drove away. It had been hard to find childcare for the ‘Listen to Me’ session and I knew I wanted to speak to other parent carers of autistic children. I did not want to miss the opportunity, so I drove back to the venue and went in.
I am so glad I did.
I was welcomed by a group of other parent carers. Becky from the Forum, bought me my first coffee (which happens for all, every session) and I chatted to other parent carers. I felt understood, listened to, like I wasn’t alone – and those attending could give me tips on people to contact and things to try. All those there had been through or were still experiencing challenges I face with a child with special educational needs.
Becky from the Forum listened to my story; of my oldest child’s recent diagnosis of autism and her early life trauma as a result of witnessing domestic abuse. My child struggles to express emotion and the frustration from this was causing tension at home, particularly with my younger child.
Becky signposted me to services; directing me to my GP. Within two days I had a referral to a social prescriber, who prescribed a free, six-week course of therapy. It has transformed my daughter. She now has strategies to cope with her emotions.
The shared experience of attending a ‘Listen to Me’ event has led on to a wider social life for me and I am forever grateful to Becky and the team at Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum”
‘Listen to me’ peer support sessions offer parent carers of children with additional needs the opportunity to share stories/experiences and provide the chance to influence local and national policy-making.
The friendly and welcoming sessions also aim to reduce the isolation that many families experience when caring for a young person with SEND. Join us and other parent carers at one of our scheduled events:
'Listen to Me' dates for April:
🗓 Friday 4th April - Gloucester
📍The Chamwell Centre Charity The Milestone School, Longford Ln, Longlevens, Gloucester GL2 9EU,
⏱ 9.30am -11.30am
🗓 Friday 4th April - Dursley
📍Tree Tops Centre
⏱ 9.30am -10.30am
🗓 Monday 7th April - Form Filling Session
📍 The Cornerstone Centre, 1 Severn Road, Whaddon, GL52 5QA
⏱ 9:30am - 2:00pm
Book via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1296665243649
🗓 Monday 7th April - Rainbow Day's Aspire Foundation UK
📍 Gardners Lane Childrens Centre, Cheltenham, GL51 9JW
⏱ 5 - 7 pm
🗓 Tuesday 8th April - Quedgeley
📍 Blooms Gloucester Garden Centre, Bath Road, Gloucester GL10 3DP
⏱ 9:30am - 1:00pm
🗓 Wednesday 9th April - Churchdown
📍 GL3 Community Hub, Cheltenham Rd East, Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 1HX
⏱ 9:30am -11:00am
🗓 Friday 11th April - Cheltenham
📍Redgrove Harvester Hatherley Ln, Cheltenham, GL51 6TA
⏱ 9:30am - 11:30am
🗓 Monday 28th April - Whispers Follow up session
📍 The Old School Room, Highnam Community Centre Trust, Highnam Cottage Newent Road, Gloucester GL2 8DG
⏱ 10:00am until 1:00pm
Book via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1277614602669
🗓 Wednesday 30th April - Stroud
📍 Costa in Tesco, Stratford Road, Stroud, GL5 4AG
⏱ 10:00am - 12:00 noon
For more information, please visit the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum website.