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Support and Signposting for Families

Rainbows stay and play group for families

BEY Portage and Inclusion Team

Rainbows is stay and play group that celebrates strengths, interests and differences.

The group is for pre-school children who have additional needs, who are neurodivergent and/or disabled, and their families.  

It provides: 

  • an opportunity for parents to meet
  • a space for children to socialise and explore a variety of resources
  • time to have fun, play and learn


The groups run most weeks at 6 locations across the city and are free to attend with no requirement to book:


Monday
Morning 9.30am to 11am 
Inn’s Court Family Hub, BS4 1TR
Contact: Katie Reece-Wolsey, 07393782917

Tuesdays
Morning, 9.30am to 11am 
Avonmouth Children’s Centre, BS11 9LG
Contact: Ellie Hallett, 07741188025

Afternoon, 1.00pm to 2.30pm
St Werburghs Family Hub, BS2 9UX
Contact: Sally Stevens, 07345446886


Wednesdays
Morning, 9.30am to 11am 
Oldbury Court Children’s Centre, BS16 2QS
Contact: Helen Millard, 07500954106

Thursdays
Morning, 9.30am to 11am 
Hartcliffe Family Hub, BS13 0JW
Contact: Katie Reece-Wolsey, 07393782917 

Afternoon, 1.00pm to 2.30pm
Southmead Family Hub, BS10 5PW
Contact: Ellie Hallett, 07741188025

The sessions run for 90minutes, and you are welcome to arrive and leave when you wish within that time.

The practitioners leading the group will play with your child alongside you, and you can talk with them about your child’s development. They will provide ideas for play activities that could stimulate your child’s development and/or they may signpost other appropriate services or support.  They can also provide some guidance around applications for Disability Living Allowance and charity grants to which you may be entitled.

There is a shared snack for those who want it. 

Download our Rainbows flyer here.

Murmuration Community Therapy

Murmuration sets up nurture groups, which are small groups for 6 to 8 SEND parents nurturing connection and belonging, starting with an 8 week mental wellness course. Murmuration supports each group to continue as they wish, being there for each other as friends, connecting as families or continuing to meet as a group.

Your child could be at pre-diagnosis stage or you could be years into the journey. All are welcome, whatever the disability or neurodivergence. 

New groups start regularly throughout the year, sometimes with specific parent groups. Get in touch to learn more and join the waiting list for the next start dates:

Bristol Parent Carers

A participation group for families with children and young people with disabilities and special needs to help influence how services are run.

Who are Bristol Parent Carers?

We are a non-profit organisation based in Bristol, consisting of volunteer parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As a pan-disability charity, we provide information and support to all families, regardless of their child’s type of need or diagnosis status.

We work with local SEND services to ensure that the support and services they offer suits the needs of families. By working together we can help ensure families, children and young people get the right support, at the right time, and in the right way. We aim to empower families by keeping them informed of the full range of local support options available to them, so they can access the resources they need.

As parent carers ourselves, we understand the importance of having a voice. That’s why we’re dedicated to listening to families and ensuring their thoughts and experiences are taken into consideration. By sharing your experiences with us, you have the opportunity to help shape services that truly meet the needs of families just like yours.

Find out more here: Bristol Parent Carers

National Autistic Society (NAS) EarlyBird Programme for 2 to 5 year olds

The NAS Early Bird Programme is a 3 month course for parents and carers of children between 2 and 5 years old who are:

  • autistic
  • waiting for an autism assessment
  • neurodivergent with social communication and interaction and sensory needs

The NAS EarlyBird programme works with parents and carers to help you:

  • understand your child’s autism, social communication and interaction and sensory needs
  • develop your child’s communication and interaction skills
  • use and apply practical strategies to manage your child’s behaviour

Parents and carers need to commit to:

  • a weekly 2.5 hour training session for 8 weeks
  • an individual session

There’s space for up to 8 families on each course. Two places for parents and carers are allocated to each family. We encourage both parents to attend where possible.

Each family will get an EarlyBird Programme book.

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