Face2Face offers a free and confidential 1:1 befriending service for parents of children with a disability.
Have you recently learnt that your child has a disability? Perhaps the news came as a complete shock to you? Maybe you have known about your child’s disability for a while but are finding things difficult at the moment?
If you are the parent/carer of a disabled child, we can help.
All our befrienders are parents who have been trained to give the best possible support to others. They provide 1:1 support in your own home, without judgement or agenda. As the befrienders are parents themselves, they can remember how they wanted to talk to someone who understood what they were feeling at the time. Many people find it invaluable to have another parent who can simply listen and understand.
Please contact the Face2Face Co-ordinator for more details face2face@whitelodgecentre.co.uk 01932 567131
Launching in January 2025, Parents2Parents: A Befriending Group for Parents & Families of Adult Children with Additional Needs and/or Disabilities.
Parenting an adult child with a disability/ additional need is rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges.
At White Lodge, we understand the importance of connecting with others who truly "get it." That’s why we’re excited to launch Parents2Parents. A supportive befriending group created for parents, carers, and grandparents of adults with disabilities.
Why Join?
Parents2Parents offers a safe, welcoming space where you can meet others who share similar experiences.
It's a chance to:
- Build Friendships: Connect with people who understand your journey
- Share and Listen: Exchange stories, tips, and advice with fellow parents and carers
- Find Support: Gain emotional and moral support from a community that gets it.
Led by three trained befrienders who facilitate group discussions and support.
Meet once a month in a relaxed, informal setting. Held at White Lodge in Chertsey (KT16 0FA). Our Spring meetings are on 13 January, 10 February and 10 March 2025.
Whether you’re looking for a friendly chat, new friendships, or just want to be part of a supportive community, Parents2Parents is here for you.
Interested? For more information, get in touch with our Face2Face Coordinator. We’d love to hear from you!
face2face@whitelodgecentre.co.uk 01932 567131
I love getting together with parents, whose children are now young adults with lots of challenges, like mine. I feel I have found my tribe- others who really understand the situation I am in.
The group is a safe place where you can come, be yourself and be emotionally supported by people who understand.
Come and join us – because nobody should have to navigate this journey alone.
Monthly befriending groups are also available for Mums and Dads (these are seperate groups)
These groups are a great way to meet with others going through similar experiences. We hope the groups will help you to develop new friendships, socialise and gain emotional and moral support.
The groups are facilitated by two trained befrienders. Female befrienders for the Mums group and males for the Dads.
The monthly meetings take place at: Riverbourne Health Club, Herriot Road, Chertsey, KT16 9DR on the following dates:
Mum-2-Mums: 16 October, 13 November and 11 December 2024- all from 8.00pm - 9.45pm
This is what one mum had to say about the group: "I'm really enjoying the mum's group. I look forward to it every month. It's so lovely just to be able to sit and chat with people who understand. We have all shared ideas but also sometimes we just sit and listen. Sometimes I feel like my friends just don't get it. But that's not the case with the mums group. It's really friendly, and supportive. I really benefit in terms of my own mental health."
Dad-2-Dads: 23 October, 20 November and 18 December 2024 - all from 8.00pm - 9.45pm
This is what one dad had to say about the group: "Being a parent is the hardest thing in life but being the parent of a child with a disability is even harder and most of my friends and family do not understand the challenges we face, and you can feel very alone. The Dad’s group is the only outlet I have where I am able to share in a confidential space with a group of individuals in a similar situation. While everyone’s situation is unique, there are many similarities and themes (sleep, food, communication etc..) that we all face. The group is well facilitated and everyone has the opportunity to share without judgement and seek support/advice if wanted. I have recommended this group to a number of Dads and believe that this is a key part of the support a Dad needs through their parenting journey."
Please contact the Face2Face Co-ordinator for more details and before attending E: face2face@whitelodgecentre.co.uk T: 01932 567131
Could you help other parents?
There is also the opportunity to become a befriender yourself. You will get full support, and we run a training course to ensure that you are equipped with all the necessary skills.
For more information please contact our Face2Face Co-ordinator, Miriam Wichmann (Tuesday & Wednesday – term time only).