1 Reaching Families, a parent-carer led charity
Service
Reaching Families is a parent-carer led charity established to "empower, inform and support parents and families of children/young people with special needs and disabilities in West Sussex." We achieve this by the delivery of information, training and support groups to parent-carers.
What we do:
- Making Sense Of It All - this comprehensive parent-carer guide provides vital information across a wide variety of subjects including diagnosis, benefits, education, social and leisure activities etc. Also contains a directory of local and national groups
- Making Sense of Adult Life - this comprehensive parent-carer guide provides vital information on the subject of transition to adulthood for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities aged 14-25.
- Factsheets - we have published two series of factsheets (i) localised factsheets on major childhood disabilities that combine clinical information with local information on relevant local services (ii) a variety of localised factsheets on other issues
- Training Roadshow - we deliver a series of workshops at venues and locations across West Sussex. Subjects covered include Understanding Challenging Behaviour, DLA/PIP, Education, Sensory Issues and Stress/ Resilience.
- Umbrellas - we run 3 support groups for parents or carers of a child or young person with additional needs or a disability in Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing
Our users say:
"Reaching Families offers a unique product in West Sussex. It is comforting to know that the organisation is parent carer led but offers practical tools to assist us in our day to day lives"
Age Range: 0–25
Wheelchair Accessible?
Free to use?
Contact Details
01903 366 360
07470 005 734 Email this service
Upcoming Events
N/A
Making Sense of Anxiety (Primary aged children)
Learning how to manage our feelings is an important life skill. While all children feel anxious sometimes, being worried, fearful or stressed too often can negatively affect their development.
This session will provide an introduction to understanding anxiety in children; ways to support them if they are worrying too much; and tips for looking after yourself along the way.
To book, please go to: ...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Problem Solving
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Resilience Skills - Session 3.
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness worksh...
N/A
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This three-part course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parents/carers will encounter as your children grow and develop.
It aims to empower parents of children...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
Littlehampton
Umbrellas Littlehampton
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Mindfulness:...
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Resilience Skills - Session 4.
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness worksh...
N/A
Making Sense of Challenging Behaviour (2-11 years)
An introduction to Challenging Behaviour which is aimed at parent/carers of children from 2 years old up to the age of 11/Year 6 with additional needs/disabilities. You will explore ways to respond to your child so that positive behaviour is encouraged and challenging behaviour is reduced.
Please note our workshops are aimed at Parent Carers, if you are a professional please contact us before boo...
N/A
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This three-part course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parents/carers will encounter as your children grow and develop.
It aims to empower parents of children...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Positive Thinking
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Resilience Skills - Session 5.
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness worksh...
Billingshurst
Umbrellas Billingshurst
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Adult Life - Supporting...
This workshop is aimed at parent/carers of young people aged 11+.
Adolescence is a time many parents approach with trepidation. Having heard all the horror stories, myths and rumours this is perhaps understandable. But what is really going on? Why are the teenage years so different from childhood and adulthood? Do young people with special educational needs and or disabilities have a more difficul...
N/A
Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity...
This online workshop will help parents and carers to gain an understanding of ADHD in children and young people and its impact on behaviour, relationships and day-to-day life.
You will leave with a basic toolkit of strategies that enable positive behaviour, successful relationships and reaching potential in and out of school and will be signposted to local, national and international resources av...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
Worthing
Umbrellas Worthing
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Mindfulness: You...
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Resilience Skills - Session 6.
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness worksh...
N/A
Understanding Autism
Free online workshop for parents and carers of children and young people who may be or are on the Autistic spectrum.
Learn more about your child/young persons diagnosis and how Autism and social communication difficulties may impact upon them in the home, school and wider community. We will look at the autism profile, sensory sensitivities and helpful strategies for supporting your child. You wil...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
Littlehampton
Umbrellas Littlehampton
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Relaxation and Self...
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
N/A
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This three-part course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parents/carers will encounter as your children grow and develop.
It aims to empower parents of children...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Mindfulness: Mind...
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
Billingshurst
Umbrellas Billingshurst
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This three-part course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parents/carers will encounter as your children grow and develop.
It aims to empower parents of children...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
Worthing
Umbrellas Worthing
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Managing Anxiety
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
N/A
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This three-part course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parents/carers will encounter as your children grow and develop.
It aims to empower parents of children...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Mindfulness: Going...
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
Crawley
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This two day course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parent-carers will encounter as your children grow and develop. It aims to empower parents of children unde...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
Littlehampton
Umbrellas Littlehampton
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Managing Low Mood
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
Crawley
Making Sense of It All Foundation Course
Has your child been recently identified as having additional needs? Do you find the systems and support for special educational needs confusing? Would you benefit from a broad overview of how it all works?
This two day course has been designed to provide an introduction on all the key issues parent-carers will encounter as your children grow and develop. It aims to empower parents of children unde...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
N/A
Making Sense of Wellbeing - Mindfulness: Mood...
This six week course for parent-carers offers you the opportunity to explore some of the essential elements of wellbeing. Our personal and social wellbeing helps us to develop good relationships, feel connected to others and improves our resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
The course includes a blend of wellbeing and mindfulness workshops designed to help you enhance your relationship with your...
Billingshurst
Umbrellas Billingshurst
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
Children are welcome to attend with their parent/carer, but please note that child care is not provided.
...
N/A
Umbrellas Online
We are running virtual groups weekly as well as in-person events monthly at Billingshurst, Littlehampton and Worthing, contact hannah@reachingfamilies.org.uk
Umbrellas is a support group for parent carers of children and young people with special additional needs and disabilities.
What we do:
Umbrellas is a great opportunity to meet other parent carers and share ideas.
Talk freely and get i...
I attended the Reaching Families workshop on Sensory Integration in Worthing led by Helen Cottell yesterday. This was time well spent as it was an excellent workshop full of really interesting, useful and relevant information, that covered practical advice as well as the theory behind it. Highly recommend, especially if you have a child with sensory issues.
Great course today about send support at school. Feel I have many more strings to my bow
A very big thank you to Reaching Families for organising the 'Making Sense of Benefits' workshop. Lizzie from Amaze who led the course was absolutely brilliant. Even if your child already gets DLA this workshop is still very useful. I now feel much more confident about tackling my daughters forms when it has to be renewed. Can't recommend it enough!