Supporting young people who face additional challenges can be difficult at times. With that in mind, the Hope Service has created a space for groups of parents and carers to come together on a regular (fortnightly) basis to discuss the challenges they face in a confidential and supportive environment.
These groups are specifically for parents and carers of young people who would like additional support. You will have an opportunity to exchange experiences and receive support towards managing the often complex situations you find yourselves in. This is not a parenting class, rather a non-judgemental support group and we encourage you to talk about whatever seems most important.
The Hope Service will be offering topical sessions to coincide with the dates on offer, where parents and carers can join together to discuss current difficulties. The topical sessions are free of charge to attend and are time intensive, so if you are unable to attend please let us know as soon as possible.
Support is offered via Microsoft Teams by Hope staff members, which could include a Therapist, Nurse, Teacher, Social Worker and Hope day programme staff or outside facilitators.
The following table details the sessions on offer.
| Date and Time | Session theme |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 May 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Trauma: What do we understand about Trauma and the impact on your young person's mental health? |
| Tuesday 27 May 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Sleep hygiene and Self Care: How can you support your young person who has interrupted sleep and is struggling to care for themselves. |
| Tuesday 10 June 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Community support versus psychiatric inpatient admission: What are the benefits of a community package versus hospital admission. |
| Tuesday 24 June 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) - Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: How to support a young person exploring their identity. |
| Tuesday 8 July 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process: A question and answer session around the EHCP process and the criteria for an EHCP. |
| Tuesday 9 September 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Disordered Eating and Body Image: How to support a young person who is struggling with food, eating or their body image. |
| Tuesday 23 September 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Self-harm: Practical advice in supporting young people with self-harm. |
| Tuesday 7 October 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Tips for creating an Emotional tool box: Practical ideas in how to put together a tool box to support your young person self-soothe and regulate their emotions. |
| Tuesday 21 October 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Families Learning About Self-Harm (FLASH) taster session: Opportunity to learn more about this 10-week programme run by the Hope Service. This is for parents and carers whose young people (11 to 18) exhibit self-harm behaviours that impact the whole family. The programme aims to reduce stress levels to a manageable level. |
| Tuesday 4 November 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC): How do you support a young person with an ASC who struggles with their mental health. |
| Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Action For Carers: Are you looking after a friend or relative? Find out what support is available for parents and carers from Action For Carers. |
| Tuesday 18 November 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and the connection with gender identity: How do you support your young person with an ASC diagnosis and gender identity. |
| Tuesday 2 December 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A guide to identifying OCD and supporting young people with their symptoms and the link with ASC. |
| Tuesday 16 December 2025, 5pm to 6.00pm | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Mental Health: How does ADHD impact on a young person's Mental Health and what strategies can be used to support a young person with ADHD. |
If you would like to participate, please book on Eventbrite, or if you require any further information please contact the Hope Service.
Feedback from the sessions
Really useful and informative, found this webinar very interesting, great session
Packed with useful and interesting information, which was very well presented and explained thoroughly
The session was really relaxing and relevant , very enjoyable
I was fortunate enough to have lots of opportunities to discuss and question presenters and reflect on my own experience and worries about my son