Support Groups

Find your community

It can be a lonely road navigating the SEND world.

Finding a support network – be it a WhatsApp group, coffee morning, or a walking group, – is important.

Here's a list of support groups in Haringey:

Abide Church Carers' Coffee Morning

A weekly respite coffee morning for carers to talk with fellow carers and support each other. They hold special events like pamper mornings, coach trips and more. They also invite local councillors and MPs to hold a surgery for carers. Carers First also attend once a month and offers financial and legal advice for carers.

More information available here: Carer's Coffee Morning (haringey.gov.uk)

Date: Thursdays

Time: 11am - 1pm

Place: Abide Church Hall (N8 8JN) during the winter months. In the summer months (June - September) they run from Priory Park Cafe (but do check with them beforehand to make sure!)

ADHD Kids Group

A new group for parents or carers of ADHD kids who live or go to school in Haringey. We aim to provide a safe space to:

  • share resources and experience
  • ask for advice or recommendations
  • talk to people who understand
  • advocate for our ADHD kids

This is currently a WhatsApp group. Please use this link to join: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GcvKcmyCkIyA6H36OETjZ4

There is a need for better support and advocacy for children with ADHD and their parents. Often our kids are being disciplined and sanctioned in school for things that are not in their control, leading to long term consequences. Hopefully by coming together we can help change that.

We are planning to organise some ADHD specific talks and events soon.

Austim Support Project at Markfield

If you're a Haringey resident and your child has been recently diagnosed with Autism, or is on the waiting list for an Autism assessment, you can join Markfield's support group for parents.

More information here: Autism Support Project - Markfield

Contact details: familyadmin@markfield.org.uk | 0203 667 5233 | 07762 106 044

Blanche Nevile Baby and Toddler Group: Stay, Sign and Play

Signed support for parents/carers of deaf children with advice from professionals. A relaxed and inclusive atmosphere with support from highly skills staff including: Teachers of the Deaf, BSL tutor, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists, deaf and hearing staff members.

Date: Wednesdays (term time only)

Time: 1.30 - 3pm

Place: Highgate Primary and Blanche Nevile School Community Centre, entrance on corner of North Hill and Storey Road, N6 4ED

Deaf and hearing children aged 0 - 2 welcome!

Costs £3. Concessions and discounts available. Click here for more info

Brightstars Autistic Youth Club

Brightstars is a small community club for young people with autism to have fun. They offer a place where autistic young people can feel safe and confident to be themselves.

Date: Saturdays

Time: 11am - 1pm

Place: Methodist Church Hall, Middle Lane, London,N8 8NT

Activities include: workshops and information sharing, day trips, reading club, art club, African drumming and dance, movement therapy, transition support, sports, singing and drama, and networking opportunities.

e: brightstarsspecialclub@yahoo.co.uk

w: brightstarsspecialclub.com

t: 07999 592 580

Carers First Haringey

If you're an unpaid carer and you need information, support, or advice, Carers First are here for you. They provide online help, 1-2-1 practical and emotional support, and offer various groups and activities throughout the month.

Book onto a Group or Event in Haringey | Carers First

Helpline: 0300 303 1555

Carers Forum

A forum for carers and parents of adults over 18 years old with Learning Disabilities. Come along and help develop and shape services. The Carers Forum meets every two months. More information to follow.

Haringey Young Carers Project

If you're aged 11 - 18 in Haringey and help care for someone in the family who have mental health issues, a physical illness, a disability, or have issues with drugs and/or alcohol, this is the place for you.

There are regular group activities on Mondays 5.30 - 7.30pm at Bruce Grove Youth Space.

If you'd like to be involved, please contact Alison: alison.hackshaw@haringey.gov.uk

Or call 07896 823 041 (mobile) or 020 8489 3844 (landline).

More information: Young carers | Haringey Council

Haven Coffee Mornings

A free drop-in group for families with children with additional needs.

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10.30am - 12pm

Place: Union Church, N8 9PX. During term time the coffee mornings are run upstairs. In the holidays sessions are run downstairs.

A positive space for parents to meet and chat with a hot drink. There's space and toys for children to play. Parents are welcome with or without children. Step-free access, disabled toilet facilities, and some off-street parking spaces for visitors. They run during some school holidays but it's best to check beforehand.

For further enquiries contact Andriana

t: 07947369639

e: andrianao@hotmail.com

More info here

HUDDLE

Haringey's Under-fives With Developmental Difficulties' Learning Experience (HUDDLE) is an inclusive stay and play session run by Haringey's Portage team.

Date: Every Tuesday (term-time only)

Time: 9.15 - 10.30am

Place: Pembury House Children's Centre, Lansdowne Road, N17 9XE

They provide:

  • advice to support your child's communication and development plus support with nursery
  • advice, information, support and referrals to health services for children with SEND
  • a space for you and your child to meet other families where you can chat and play together

For further details email portage@haringey.gov.uk

Markfield's Parent Carer Support Group

You can speak to one of their Family Support Workers for advice and support and access their rolling programme of interesting guest speakers and learn more about what Markfield can offer you and your family.

Date: Every Friday (during term-time)

Time: 10am - 12pm

Place: Markfield (N15 4RB)

Here's their events calendar

MumsInMainstream

A support network for mums and female carers of kids with autism. Mums/carers who are awaiting a diagnosis for their kids’ autism are also welcome to join.

They hold a coffee morning every second Friday of the month (during term-time) at Hornsey Valve Community Centre.

DM them on Facebook for details if this is your first time joining.

Find them on Facebook

The Challenge Group

A free playgroup and support group for everyone who has a child with additional needs. Parents are also welcome if their child is already at school.

Date: Every Friday

Time: 10-11.30am

Place: Muswell Hill Methodist Church, N10 1PP

Free massages, teas, coffees, and cakes!

The Challenge Group is run by a Christian organisation that welcomes everyone of any faith (or none).

w: www.wave-for-change.org.uk

For further enquiries contact Celia Webster

t: 07931 223 170

WAVE Hub

A vibrant and welcoming community hub in Muswell Hill that brings people with and without learning disabilities together.

Join them every Thursday for a delicious lunch. They also offer a drop-in art session, a wellbeing and movement group, a stitching group, and a signposting surgery.

Find out more: www.wavehub.org.uk

Date: Thursdays

Time: 10am - 4pm

Place: United Reformed Church, Queens Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10 3NU

Have we captured all of the support groups in Haringey?

If a support group or network has helped you and it's not listed above, email us the details.

Email: hello@sendpowerinharingey.org

SEND Power in Haringey is hosted by The Bridge Renewal Trust, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 06949568 and registered as a Charity number 1131941. Registered office Laurels Healthy Living Centre, 256 St Ann's Road, London N15 5AZ