Parentsactive runs a wide range of activities throughout the year to bring parents and carers together, share lived experiences and help shape better support for families of children and young people with SEND in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Our activities are designed to be welcoming, practical, and empowering, giving you the chance to learn, connect, and have your voice heard.
Parent Carer Forum
What is a Parent Carer Forum?
A parent carer forum is a representative group of local parent carers. Forums work alongside service providers in education, health, and social care, helping to ensure that local services meet the needs of families with children and young people (aged 0 – 25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Forums are pan-disability. This means they include the views and experiences of families across the full range of needs as described in the SEND Code of Practice (page 97). They do this by bringing these voices to the table and by co-producing solutions as an equal partner.
What does Parentsactive Parent Carer Forum do?
Coffee Mornings
Our coffee mornings are at the heart of what we do. They’re relaxed, friendly sessions where parents and carers can take a break, chat openly, and meet others who truly understand the ups and downs of life with SEND.
You can drop in for a chat, share tips and ideas, or just listen there’s never any pressure to speak.
Many parents tell us that these sessions are where they’ve made lasting friendships, found practical advice, and finally felt less alone on their journey.
Coffee Mornings normally take place once a month on Tuesdays between 10 and 12pm at Masbro Centre during term times. See our upcoming events here.
Whatsapp Group
We run several private WhatsApp groups to help parents and carers connect with others who truly understand their experiences. The groups are split by age range so you can join the one that best fits your child’s stage. Our current groups are:
- Early Years (0–5) peer support group
- Primary & Secondary peer support group
- Parents of 15 plus peer support group
- Children and Adults Continuing Health Care
- Employment, Supported Internships and Volunteering
They’re a supportive space to ask questions, share advice, celebrate milestones, and stay up to date with local news and events. Many parents tell us these chats have become a lifeline.
Workshops and Training
Our workshops are designed to give parents and carers clear, practical knowledge and confidence in navigating the SEND system.
We regularly host sessions on topics such as:
- Navigating the SEND System
- Understanding SEND Support in Education including EHCPs
- Managing challenging behaviour and emotional wellbeing
- Accessing local health and therapy services
- Supporting your child’s transition between school stages or into adulthood
- Navigating benefits, social care, and post-16 options
Sessions are led by guest speakers from both local and national statutory and voluntary organisations. Whether you’re new to SEND or looking to deepen your understanding, there’s always something useful to learn.
Our sessions run during term time, either online (via Zoom) or in person at the Masbro Centre (W14) the Stephen Wiltshire Centre (SW6) and other locations within the borough.
The Parentsactive parent carer forum is an independent parent-carer forum funded by the Department for Education and Hammersmith & Fulham’s Third Sector Investment Fund, with occasional additional grants supporting specific projects.
See our upcoming events or join Parentsactive to get regular updates straight to your inbox.
