While we are sharing this information for the support of parents/carers, we are not affiliated with any of the groups/charities below or endorsing the information found on any of their websites.
Useful parent/carer groups & support groups
National charities
Navigate: emotional support for parents (Scope): Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs: Navigate: emotional support for parents (Scope)
Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice (IPSEA): A national charity offering legally based advice and training to parents and carers of children and young people with SEND: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
Local Support
Bolton
Bolton Parent Carer Forum
https://www.boltonparents.org.uk/
Bolton SENDIASS
Breaking Barriers North West
Breaking Barriers is a registered charity set up by 3 parents of disabled children. It is our aim to raise awareness and challenge the barriers to inclusion in society for disabled children & young people aged 0-25 years old. We also support adults with autism aged 18+.
https://www.breakingbarriersnw.com/
Barefoot & Free
We’re here for families just like yours, families with versatile needs. We gift unforgettable staycations to families with neurodivergent children or children affected by trauma.
We know it’s not always the easiest for families like ours, and that’s why we think it’s so important to take some time out, to take a breather, for a bit of ‘us time’. Our retreats have been handpicked to create family memories. Our spaces are wonderfully comfy and cosy whilst enabling.
Daytrippers Bolton
At Daytrippers, our mission is to provide inclusive, accessible and enjoyable days out that cater to everyone’s needs; where families with a child with disabilities can relax, connect, and make beautiful memories.
https://www.daytrippersbolton.org.uk/
Bee Inclusive Bolton
Provides social opportunities and activities for children and young people with SEND, including, short breaks, sensory room, parties, crafts, swimming, canoeing, haircuts, early years sessions and signing choir. Please contact directly to discuss accessibility needs.
https://www.wellchild.org.uk/in-your-area/bee-inclusive/
Bolton Together
Bolton Together is the children and young people’s voluntary and community sector consortium for Bolton.
As a collective, our staff and volunteer base enable us to reach the 73,000 children and young people, and their families in Bolton.
https://bolton-together.org.uk/who-are-we/
You can find details about other community organisations that provide a range of support, leisure activities and sport that are tailored to, or are specifically provided for anyone with additional needs on Bolton’s Local Offer: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer/leisureandsport
Blackburn
Blackburn SENDIASS
https://www.bwd-localoffer.org.uk/kb5/blackburn/directory/service.page?id=KhGzP74crd4
Blackburn Parent Carer Forum
There are a range of services offered in the local community which are not run by Blackburn with Darwen Council. A list of these can be found here
This list is not exhaustive as more information is available on the Local Offer website.
Cheshire East
Cheshire East SENDIASS
Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum
Cheshire Buddies
Cheshire Buddies support children and their families through a variety of activities but we also provide a family support service which includes referrals to food banks, fuel vouchers, specialist equipment ,Cheshire East carers, funding for family short breaks and support with applications.
https://cheshirebuddies.co.uk/useful-support-links/
Caudwell Children
Caudwell Children in partnership with Cheshire East County Council, runs Short Breaks activity sessions during weekends for children and young people aged 8-18 living within the Cheshire East area, who have a registered disability.
https://www.caudwellchildren.com/changing-lives/how-we-can-help/short-breaks.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
We are the charity for people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges. We’re making a difference to the lives of children and adults across the UK through information about challenging behaviour, peer support for family carers and professionals, supporting families by phone or email, running workshops to reduce challenging behaviour, speaking up for families nationally.
https://livewellservices.cheshireeast.gov.uk/Services/1348
There are lots of support services listed on the Cheshire East Local Offer: https://livewellservices.cheshireeast.gov.uk/Search?CategoryId=105
Lancashire
Lancashire SENDIASS
Lancashire Parent Carer Forum
https://www.lancashireparentcarerforum.org.uk/
Rainbow Hub
Families are right at the heart of Rainbow Hub. Based in Mawdesley, Lancashire, we’re a charity providing therapeutic services for children and young people with physical disabilities as a result of a neurological condition or child brain injury.
Unique Kids
Our centre in Morecambe offers support activities, play, and social time – we also know that everyone is unique and that one size doesn’t fit all.
http://www.uniquekidzandco.org.uk/
High Five Lancashire
Based in Chorley, Lancashire, High Five is a group run entirely by volunteer parents. We provide activities for disabled children and their families. We are a non-profit organisation whose aim is to provide activities which meet the needs for all the family.
https://senddirectory.lancashire.gov.uk/kb5/lancashire/directory/service.page?id=hFrB8zCo1Bw
The North West Children’s Support Group
A Lancashire based voluntary organisation which provides holidays and social events for children with disabilities or additional needs from our region who need the opportunity to share experiences on a social level, have parents who need respite from their full-time care, would not otherwise have a holiday.
You can find local accessible and inclusive activities including clubs, groups and sports on the SEND Directory: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/things-to-do/v
You can find local organisations that provide services for young people on the SEND Directory:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/young-people-and-adulthood/
Salford
Salford SENDIASS
https://directory.salford.gov.uk/kb5/salford/directory/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=1_3
Salford Parent Carer Forum
Polkadots CWD Salford
A fun, friendly environment for children of all needs and disabilities based in Salford aged 0-10 years old. Pre and post diagnosis all welcome! We are 2 mums with children on the spectrum. We have put a fortnightly group together as we have found groups in Salford hard to come by for children with needs and disabilities pre, and post diagnosis. Our aim is to get children, parents and carers together and allow children to play and have fun, whilst adults have a chat, and support each other.
https://www.salfordcvs.co.uk/contacts/view/130427
Home Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan
We offer volunteer-led support to help prevent crisis and family breakdown. Volunteers that are recruited locally and who we train and support before they begin their home-visiting support for a local family.
Links to more useful services can be found at Speak Up Salford: https://www.speakupsalford.nhs.uk/links-to-useful-website
There are services which have been commissioned by Salford City Council specifically for children and young people with disabilities who may have difficulties accessing universal services. The providers of these services have a higher level of training to support children and young people. You do no need to apply or be referred to access these services. A list of services can be found here: https://directory.salford.gov.uk/kb5/salford/directory/results.page?localoffertype=2&localofferchannel=4_1
Details of specialist and highly specialist services can be found here: https://www.salford.gov.uk/media/399121/short-break-care-service-statement-2023.pdf
St Helens
St Helen’s SENDIASS
St Helen’s Parent Carer Forum
Friends – Play for Disabled Children
A registered charity supporting families in St Helens and the surrounding areas. The charity was set up in October 2012 by two parents with disabled children.
Connect Parents
Connect is a registered charity based in St Helens, Merseyside. The aim has always been to support local children and their families with special educational needs and disabilities.
https://connectparents.org.uk/
Information about organisations and help available for parents and carers of disabled children and young people can be found on St Helen’s Gateway: https://www.sthelensgateway.info/faqs/facilities-and-information/carers/what-help-is-there-for-parents-carers-of-people-with-a-disability/
Trafford
Trafford SENDIASS
https://sendiass.trafford.gov.uk/Home.aspx
Trafford Parent Carer Forum
https://www.traffordparentsforum.com/
Together Trust offers a variety of services, support and activities. For further details, please visit our website www.togethertrust.org.uk or contact us between Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm on 0161 283 4848
Dimobi Children Disability Trust
A special needs and learning disability, autism provider based in Newton Heath, Manchester. It is our mission to help families accept and support children, young people and adults up to 25 years of age with learning disabilities and/or autism. On our website, you’ll find a wealth of information about our goals, values, mission, and what we do to help families receive the support they need.
https://www.dimobitrust.org.uk/
Home Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan
We offer volunteer-led support to help prevent crisis and family breakdown. Volunteers that are recruited locally and who we train and support before they begin their home-visiting support for a local family.
Wigan
Wigan SENDIASS
Wigan Parent Carer Forum
Home Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan
We offer volunteer-led support to help prevent crisis and family breakdown. Volunteers that are recruited locally and who we train and support before they begin their home-visiting support for a local family.
Embrace Wigan and Leigh: offers a wide range of support, events, activities and training for families of children with disabilities and young adults.
https://www.embracewiganandleigh.org.uk/
My Life: is a social enterprise run by families for families. We work with people of all ages who may need support to help you live a good life. We organise things to do and bring people together to run projects, training workshops and conferences.
Email: info@my-life.org.uk
Hop, Skip and Jump, Wigan: is an activity centre for children and young people with disabilities. It’s just next to Wigan Youth Zone in Wigan town centre.
Email: office.wigan@hopskipandjump.org