If you are you the parent or carer of a young person with a disability or an additional need you are welcome to join us at our Space 2 Talk drop-ins. Your child does not need a diagnosis in order to join.

Virtual Space 2 Talk

If you would like to join in, please book via the relevant Eventbrite link.

Upcoming dates are:

14th September 2022 10.30-11.30 with guests Imago

24th October 2022 10.30-11.30 with guests Crossroads Young Carers/Siblings

18th November 2022 10.30-11.30 with guests from Family Fund

14th December 2022 10.30-11.30 no topic

Take a break, have a mug of tea or coffee and meet other families on a similar journey. Space 2 Talk is a one stop shop for support in any area of additional/special needs, with a family support worker on hand to provide a listening ear over a coffee. Please note that no formal diagnosis is required for access to this service.

Each session is attended by a Family Support Worker, who is available to help with specific issues you may be facing, either at the drop in, or via a one to one appointment afterwards.

Maidstone

We are currently running some face to face sessions at the Howard de Walden Centre, Bluett Street, Maidstone ME14 2UG. These are aimed at providing support in any area of additional/special needs, with a family support worker on hand to provide a listening ear over a coffee. Please note that no formal diagnosis is required for access to this service.

These dates are published as an indication: If you would like to join in, please book via the relevant Eventbrite link (to follow):

16th September 2022 10-11.30am

23rd November 2022 10-11.30am

Marden

A new informal drop-in coffee morning, an opportunity to meet with other parents and speak to one of our Family Support Officers.

These sessions are open to all parent/carers in West Kent (boroughs of: Maidstone. Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells), who have a young person with additional needs. No formal diagnosis is required to access any of our services.

Marden Children Centre, Goudhurst road, TN12 9JX

These dates are published as an indication: If you would like to join in, please book via the relevant Eventbrite link (to follow):

12th October 2022 10-11.30am

Snodland

An informal drop-in coffee morning, an opportunity to meet with other parents and speak to one of our Family Support Officers.

Snodland Youth and Children’s Centre, Malling Road, Snodland Kent ME6 5JG

These dates are published as an indication: If you would like to join in, please book via the relevant Eventbrite link (to follow):

13th September 2022 10-11.30am

11th October 2022 10-11.30am

8th November 2022 10-11.30am

6th December 2022 10-11.30am

Tunbridge Wells

We are attending new parent and parent coffee mornings at Oakley School starting in September 2021. Please contact support@space2beme.org.uk to find out more

Space 2 Be Me will also be attending drop ins for parents and carers of children/young people
with Autistic Spectrum Condition. These are run by the Specialist Teacher team in Tunbridge Wells, however one of our Family Support Officers will usually be in attendance for at least part of the session. See below for times and dates:

Peer Support Groups

Peer Support Groups are part of a new initiative for Space 2 Be Me, and are volunteer-led friendship meetings with like-minded peers who are also parents to children with additional needs. The groups aim to help people build connections, find out more about Space 2 Be Me and access support through our family support service. There is often a member of support staff on hand or else you can put in a request via the group for a support worker to contact you.

We are looking to roll out peer support groups across West Kent so if it is something you are interested in getting involved in please do get in touch with fiona@space2berme.org.uk

For more information about the drop-ins and peer support groups or if you would rather have a one to one chat with a Family Support Worker please call 01622 764566 or email support@space2beme.org.uk.