We are delighted to share that we have been able to offer a series of free workshops for parent carers of children and young adults with the most complex disabilities thanks to sponsorship from Slater and Gordon Lawyers.
So far, sessions have included Sleep Support, Internet Safety and a workshop focussing on wellbeing and self-care.
Still to come this year is legal support from Slater and Gordon themselves, Benefits advice, Mental Capacity Act information and an Understanding Behaviour session delivered by industry specialists.
We are so grateful that Slater and Gordon Lawyers were interested in supporting Seashell’s family services. So far the partnership has reached 40 parent carers, with many more to come.
Parent carers of disabled children face significant financial inequalities. Many are unable to work due to care responsibilities and the lack of/cost of appropriate childcare, so being able to remove financial barriers and deliver this support for free is invaluable.
The most recent workshop – wellbeing and self-care – was particularly well attended and feedback has suggested that it is an area that our families would the opportunity to engage with more in the future.
An attendee of our most recent workshop on wellbeing said: “It has been incredibly helpful and so lovely to feel listened to and seen as an individual.”
Another parent carer said: “It’s the first time we have been able to attend something as a couple for a long time.”
Rosalyn, a Principal Lawyer at Slater and Gordon said: “Although I regularly meet with families of children with complex needs and disabilities there is usually an agenda and endpoint to the meeting, and so it was a privilege to be able to just listen and absorb information and stories, which I hope will give me a greater degree of empathy and understanding generally.”
Jenny, Family Support and Participation Manager at Seashell said: “The partnership with Slater and Gordon has meant that we have already been able to host some really beneficial workshops for families, as well as some exiting plans for the autumn term. The feedback we get from families attending these events just shows how vital it is that we continue to offer parents the opportunity to attend workshops that not only empower them to increase their knowledge but also to look after their own health and wellbeing.”
The workshops have been delivered both online and in person, in the hope that as many families can access the support as possible.
