Friends and Families of Special Children

Friends and Families was established 20 years ago to support and empower families with disabled children.

Founded by our Chair to offer practical advice, support, and fun activities to children with a disability or impairment and their families in and around Plymouth. We provide access to:

• Free and confidential information, advice, emotional support and advocacy for parents and carers.
• Social and leisure events for the whole family as well as specific groups aimed at children, young people, or their siblings.
• Educational workshops for parents and carers to develop knowledge and skills relevant to their child and their impairment or disability.

Who we can help

Our services are available for any family that has a child with a disability or impairment who live in Plymouth or the surrounding area.

There is no need for your child to have a diagnosis as often this is the time when support is needed the most.

We welcome families from the South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge and Cornwall. We simply ask that you access services in Plymouth (i.e. Derriford Hospital) and know that if you live farther afield you understand that many of our services and events will be based in the Plymouth locality.

Clubs and activities

• Adventure Club provides fun and engaging activities for children or young people with a disability. We require a parent/carer to accompany their child.
• The Fun and Freedom Club runs regular activities that allow young carers time to make friends and have some fun away from their caring role at home.
• The Making Sense group provides a range of activities aimed specifically at children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
• Little Steps Together is our new group for parents/carers with a child aged 0-5 with a disability or awaiting a diagnosis.
• Youth Adventures is a group for young people, aged 14-25 with a disability, to socialise in a safe environment - promoting independence and fun.
• The Parent and Carer group provides fun and safe activities for parent/carers of children with disabled children.

View all our clubs and activities

Information and advice

Our Information & Advice Team and Wellbeing Team are here to support you with a range of areas including parenting, disability entitlements, schooling, behaviours and most importantly your wellbeing.

If you need us, we're here - whether by phone, email, drop-in or online appointments, we're happy to accommodate your needs.

Workshops

We offer regular training opportunities for you to attend. The sessions are varied and informative and cover a wide range of topics.

Training sessions and workshops are open to parent/carers, professionals, and extended family are welcome too!

The training we offer is practical, informal and fun. You will have the opportunity to mix with others whilst learning something new.

Is the information correct?

Let us know if the information on this page is wrong and needs to be updated.

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