Support Groups

It can be a lonely road navigating the SEND world. Finding a support network – be it a WhatsApp group, coffee morning, or a walking group, – is important.

Here's an alphabetical list of support groups in Haringey, and nearby.

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Abide Church Carers' Coffee Morning

A weekly respite coffee morning for carers to talk with fellow carers and support each other. They hold special events like pamper mornings, coach trips and more. They also invite local councillors and MPs to hold a surgery for carers. Carers First also attend once a month and offers financial and legal advice for carers. More information: Carer's Coffee Morning (haringey.gov.uk)

Date: Thursdays

Time: 11am - 1pm

Place: Abide Church Hall (N8 8JN) during the winter months. In the summer months (June - September) they run from Priory Park Cafe (but do check with them beforehand to make sure!)

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ADHD Kids WhatsApp Group

For parents or carers of ADHD kids who live or go to school in Haringey. It's a safe space to:

• share resources and experience
• ask for advice or recommendations
• talk to people who understand
• advocate for our ADHD kids.

Please use this link to join: WhatsApp Group Invite

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Austim Support Project at Markfield

If you're a Haringey resident and your child has been recently diagnosed with Autism, or is on the waiting list for an Autism assessment, you can join Markfield's support group for parents. More information here: Autism Support Project - Markfield

Contact details: familyadmin@markfield.org.uk | 0203 667 5233 | 07762 106 044

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Blanche Nevile Baby and Toddler Group: Stay, Sign and Play

Signed support for parents/carers of deaf children with advice from professionals.

A relaxed and inclusive atmosphere with support from highly skills staff including: Teachers of the Deaf, BSL tutor, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists, deaf and hearing staff members.

Deaf and hearing children aged 0 - 2 welcome! Costs £3. Concessions and discounts available. Click here for more info

Date: Wednesdays (term time only)

Time: 1.30 - 3pm

Place: Highgate Primary and Blanche Nevile School Community Centre, entrance on corner of North Hill and Storey Road, N6 4ED

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Brightstars Autistic Youth Club

A small community club for autistic young people to have fun, feel safe and confident to be themselves.

More information: brightstarsspecialclub.com

Date: Saturdays

Time: 11am - 1pm

Place: Methodist Church Hall, Middle Lane, London,N8 8NT

Email brightstarsspecialclub@yahoo.co.uk

Or call 07999 592 580

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Carers First Haringey

If you're an unpaid carer and you need information, support, or advice, Carers First are here for you.

They provide online help, 1-2-1 practical and emotional support, and offer various groups and activities throughout the month.

Book onto a Group or Event in Haringey | Carers First

Helpline: 0300 303 1555

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Carers Forum

A forum for carers and parents of adults over 18 years old with Learning Disabilities. Come along and help develop and shape services. The Carers Forum meets every two months. More information to follow.

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Dadvengers

This group aims to inspire and champion fathers throughout their parenthood journey. They offer online resources and support, and also have recently started to offer in-person support in Haringey. To find out more information about their work with Haringey Family Hubs and their Sunday activities, visit https://dadvengers.com/haringey/

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Father 2 Father

Father 2 Father offer support for the whole family, particularly dads and parents/carer of children and young people with SEND.

They run different activities, such as a regular Super Dads saturday breakfast, and a Men Chat Too, a safe and non-judgemental space for Black men to come and chat about what's on their mind.

They also offer an initiative called Strengthening Parents & Carers Everywhere (SPACE), which offers Coffee Morning and Online Sessions designed to support parents and carers in their journey of raising children.

Find their upcoming events here: https://bio.site/father2father

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Haringey inourplace

Free online courses and resources for all Haringey families. Haringey Council has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to these evidence-based online courses designed by NHS practitioners. Sign up required. More information here: https://inourplace.co.uk/haringey/

Highlights:

• Understanding your child with additional needs
• Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs

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Haringey Young Carers Project

If you're aged 11 - 18 in Haringey and help care for someone in the family who have mental health issues, a physical illness, a disability, or have issues with drugs and/or alcohol, this is the place for you.

There are regular group activities on Mondays 5.30 - 7.30pm at Bruce Grove Youth Space.

If you'd like to be involved, please contact Alison: alison.hackshaw@haringey.gov.uk

Or call 07896 823 041 (mobile) or 020 8489 3844 (landline).

More information: Young carers | Haringey Council

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Haringey's Parenting Programmes

These free support programmes and workshops are aimed at mothers, fathers and carers of children and young people living in Haringey or attending a Haringey school. Find the full list of programmes here: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/early-help-haringey/parenting-support-programmes

Programme highlights:

• Incredible Years - Webster-Stratton Programme. Facilitated by practitioners from the Haringey's Educational Psychology Service and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), these sessions are aimed at parents/carers who are experiencing significant levels of challening behaviour from their children.
• Cygnet Parenting. This programme is for parents of children with an Autism diagnosis and provides support, information, and strategies.

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Haven Coffee Mornings

A free drop-in group for families with children with additional needs.

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10.30am - 12pm

Place: Union Church, N8 9PX. During term time the coffee mornings are run upstairs. In the holidays sessions are run downstairs.

A positive space for parents to meet and chat with a hot drink. There's space and toys for children to play. Parents are welcome with or without children. More info here

Step-free access, disabled toilet facilities, and some off-street parking spaces for visitors. They run during some school holidays but it's best to check beforehand.

For further enquiries call Andriana 07947 369 639, or email andrianao@hotmail.com

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HUDDLE

Haringey's Under-fives With Developmental Difficulties' Learning Experience (HUDDLE) is an inclusive stay and play session run by Haringey's Portage team.

Date: Every Tuesday (term-time only)

Time: 9.15 - 10.30am

Place: Pembury House Children's Centre, Lansdowne Road, N17 9XE

They provide:

• advice to support your child's communication and development plus support with nursery
• advice, information, support and referrals to health services for children with SEND
• a space for you and your child to meet other families where you can chat and play together

For further details email portage@haringey.gov.uk

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Markfield's Parent Carer Support Group

You can speak to one of their Family Support Workers for advice and support and access their rolling programme of interesting guest speakers and learn more about what Markfield can offer you and your family.

Date: Every Friday (during term-time)

Time: 10am - 12pm

Place: Markfield (N15 4RB)

Here's their events calendar

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MumsInMainstream

A support network for mums and female carers of kids with autism. Mums/carers who are awaiting a diagnosis for their kids’ autism are also welcome to join.

They hold a coffee morning every second Friday of the month (during term-time) at Hornsey Valve Community Centre.

Find them on Facebook and DM them for details if it's your first time joining.

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The Challenge Group

A free playgroup and support group for everyone who has a child with additional needs. Parents are also welcome if their child is already at school.

Free massages, teas, coffees, and cakes! The Challenge Group is run by a Christian organisation that welcomes everyone of any faith (or none).

More information: www.wave-for-change.org.uk

Date: Every Friday

Time: 10-11.30am

Place: Muswell Hill Methodist Church, N10 1PP

For further enquiries contact Celia Webster: 07931 223 170

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WAVE Hub

A vibrant and welcoming community hub in Muswell Hill that brings people with and without learning disabilities together.

Each week they walk a community mile, have an weekly fitness class, art classes, a stitchers group, and a signposting surgery. They also have a lovely cafe which serves a healthy lunch.

More information: www.wavehub.org.uk

Date: Thursdays

Time: 10am - 4pm

Place: United Reformed Church, Queens Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10 3NU

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We Are Family

We Are Family is a peer to peer support community by adopters, for adopters. They are here to support families throughout their adoption journey.

Online and in person, parents’ groups, events, resources and talks offer mutual support, information and inspiration to adopters and those considering adoption.

We Are Family membership is FREE and open to those at Stage 1 of the adoption process and beyond. Find out more: https://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/

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