SEND Friends

05/07/2026

ARFID Awareness Day- ‘George Goat’, the fourth book in the SEND Friends book series has a theme around supporting ARFID- an eating disorder previously known as 'Selective Eating Disorder’. This book shows how George is supported through everyday situations where expectations to eat and drink can be difficult for him to navigate. With a focus on building the confidence to self advocate and removing some of the pressure around meal times, this heartwarming story covers a variety of settings where food expectations may present, including home, school, a friend's house and a visit to relatives.

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/0gNfyJ7W

01/07/2026

📢Book recommendation 📚
After the success of ‘Mummy’s Magic Walking Stick’ I was thrilled to see ‘Mummy’s Magic Wheelchair’, the next in the brilliant series by author Lynsey Garrick, released today! These wonderfully inclusive books deserve a space on bookshelves everywhere, celebrating the magic of difference through the eyes of a child. I can’t wait for my copies to arrive!

The second book by Lynsey Garrick To some people, it's just a wheelchair. But to Ed, it's a go-kart zooming around the supermarket, a picnic table in a forest and the start of many more adventures. Eddie, Mummy and Mischievous Daddy return, this time on magical wheels. Racing through everyday life w...

01/07/2026

Just a reminder that the SEND Friends book collection, and stand alone ‘The Amazing Bella-Rose’ are available to buy on Amazon.

The 'SEND Friends' series covers a variety of differences and divergence- including situational mutism, sensory processing differences, ARFID and more-offering an opportunity to introduce the topic of additional needs and disabilities in education settings in an indirect way to teach about differences and accommodation.

The Amazing Bella-Rose is a story through the eyes of a sibling exploring Demand Avoidance and the misunderstandings and struggles that can present in daily life and some affirming ways they are overcome.

Links in the comments!

29/06/2026

Reminder: Sendiass North East Lincolnshire are hosting their BIG SEND event. I’ve opted out of attending professionally whilst I recover from burnout- it would be unfair to offer empty promises although it was a difficult decision- but I’ll be there to support personally and look forward to seeing all of the wonderful local services and their offers for families like mine. Why not pop along and put some faces to the names 🤝🫶

19/06/2026

A little update- firstly, thanks to everyone who has checked in, I really appreciate the thought and care 🙏🏻 I’m still here quietly in the background, cheering on the good community happenings, slow living, taking care of myself as I support my own children through their annual reviews and transitions and just generally through day to day life. Due to not taking on any paid work currently- I’m unwilling to do so unless I can give the care, attention and energy you deserve- funds are at an all time low and so I’ve reduced my website and paused my email service. I’m still available via Facebook Messenger and I respond as life allows. I will never close the door on anyone needing help- those of you who have politely messaged to see if I have capacity to help I would hope still feel supported to the best of my current ability, I will always signpost onward if I can’t help (or even if it’s just more appropriate!). I thank you for the time and patience, the world is a lot right now and I hope you all find a way to rest and recharge in some way too, however small. 🫶 I’m perhaps at a bit of a crossroads for now, I want to support families in the way I know is needed, but doing so in this format has been tipping the balance in my own life- but I live and breathe SEND support so I’m sure I’ll find a way when the time is right and life allows! Who knows how ‘SEND Friends’ might evolve ☺️🙏🏻 I think often of all of the families I’ve supported so far, of all of the professionals I’ve had the joy to work with in any capacity and wishing you all well

17/06/2026

Fantastic offer coming up from GROVE - Online Community & Mentoring for Autistic Young People. I’m looking forward to finding out more as details are released 👏👏

We are excited to announce that GROVE is developing a new course:

Certificate in Mentoring Neurodivergent Young People

Every day, neurodivergent children and young people are supported by adults in schools, alternative provision, specific mentoring services, youth organisations, tutoring settings and community projects. Yet many professionals find themselves in these roles with little opportunity to explore neurodivergent experience, identity, communication, safety and wellbeing in depth.

This course has been created to help.

Grounded in the Neurodiversity Paradigm and informed by lived experience as well as professional and academic knowledge, the course will combine self-paced learning, optional live online sessions, reflective practice and contributions from respected specialists.

Suitable for:

• Exisiting or aspiring Mentors
• Youth workers
• Tutors
• Teaching assistants / LSAs
• SEND professionals
• Family support workers
• Alternative provision staff
• Anyone supporting neurodivergent young people through relationship-based practice

The course is suitable both for those new to mentoring and for experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding, strengthen their practice and develop a more neurodiversity-affirming approach.

This course is not about training participants to mentor in the same way we do – it is about giving access to the most up-to-date and affirming information about neurodivergent experience so that learners can apply that thoughtfully and ethically in their own context.

We are currently developing the course, securing contributors and working towards an externally accredited assessment pathway alongside a GROVE Certificate of Completion route.

Learn more on our website!

Applications will open in September 2026, with the first cohort beginning in January 2027.

10/06/2026

On behalf of the North East Lincolnshire’s Learning Disability Place Group:

Learning Disability Celebration Day
Tuesday, 16th June
10am – 3pm
at Café Aspire, Freeman Street Grimsby

They say:

“Save the date!

As part of National Learning Disability Week, we’re hosting a free, fun community event in North East Lincolnshire to celebrate people with learning disabilities and their achievements.

Everyone is welcome to join us for an interactive day with refreshments, information and guidance, and plenty of activities. Enjoy table-top cricket, Grimsby Town Football Club activities, the Linkage Sensory Bus, arts and crafts, and more.

There will also be a raffle with great prizes, including a hydrotherapy pool session, a weekend stay in a caravan, Salon 24 vouchers, meal out vouchers and much more. Come along to celebrate, connect and have fun.”

04/06/2026

Happy Pride Month 🌈

The world can feel heavy at times, but there is still so much love, acceptance and hope to be found. This month- and every day- we can celebrate the beauty of difference. You deserve to be seen, valued and respected for exactly who you are.

It’s so important to have safe spaces and safe people 🫶

01/06/2026

A fantastic opportunity from Sendiass North East Lincolnshire, the Big SEND Event!
‘This is a drop-in event where parents, carers, and young people can access information about support available for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in North East Lincolnshire.
A range of services from Education, Health, and Social Care will be attending.’👇🏻

08/05/2026

This isn’t a political page, and I don’t encourage political debate or discussion here. I just wanted to gently remind everyone that it’s okay to take a step back when things feel overwhelming.

Elections are important, but they can also bring a lot of stress and anxiety, especially alongside the weight of parent carer responsibilities and everyday life. I’ll personally be taking a little break from scrolling and following updates for a while to help ease my own worries about the future, and that’s an option open to all of us. Sometimes protecting your peace is the healthiest thing you can do.

For me, my plants and pets are a little refuge from the noise when I need one. Be gentle with yourselves 🫶

(Image credit: Self-Love Rainbow)