Family Support Service
The Family Support Service can provide information and support about the needs of your family member with a severe learning disability. Our support is confidential, and we won’t judge you or tell you what to do.
Private Facebook group: The CBF Family Forum
The private Facebook group, The CBF Family Forum, is open to family carers of children and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges. The group moderators are CBF volunteers and family carers. The group is a welcoming and supportive community, with opportunities to share personal experiences, ask and answer questions and form relationships with one another.
To join the private group, click on the link below, answer three eligibility questions, and agree to a set of group rules. Applications to join are then reviewed by CBF volunteer administrators.
The CBF Family Forum | Facebook
Listening ear calls
CBF are now offering peer support calls from a fellow family carer.
Sometimes it helps to ‘offload’ to someone who understands what you are going through. This is not a counselling, information or advice service. These calls will be purely a listening ear, giving you the time to talk. The support is non-judgmental and confidential.
You will be offered 1 or 2 calls with the same family carer supporter. You are welcome to also use the CBF’s other support before, during and after.
Open to parents, siblings or other close relatives of children, young people or adults with severe learning disabilities who display behaviour that challenges.
Or contact us on 0300 666 0126 or support@thecbf.org.uk
* We are currently piloting this service. If we are unable to offer you a Listening Ear call we will tell you about other ways of getting support.
Carers’ Catch Ups
These are informal chat groups with other families.
- Chat with others who understand the ups and downs of caring for and about someone with a severe learning disability.
- Celebrate successes, share tips, have a moan with others who ‘get it’.
Current timetable
The chats started back again with Emma as host on 20 September 2021, taking place every other Monday at 11:30am. If you care for somebody with a severe learning disability and want to join the chat, please send an email to support@thecbf.org.uk
Carers Catch Ups Plus events
Our Carers’ Catch Ups Plus events are focused on wellbeing. Join other carers to learn something new.
Relaxation and mindfulness
Helen mum of K, aged 8, with autism and SLD; is a yoga teacher and did Special Yoga and Mindfulness for Autism and ADHD last year. Helen will introduce the theories behind relaxation that can help us and our loved ones. Also provided will be a recording of the tools.
Zoom session: Wednesday 4th May 2022, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Register: Email dawnrooke58@outlook.com or book online here
Sleep
Shona is one of our Local Champions and is also a Sleep Practioner – in this sessions she will take us through tips & strategies for healthy sleep patterns. We all know if we have enough sleep we are more able to deal with the daily issues.
Online session: Wednesday 11th May 2022, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Register: Email dawnrooke58@outlook.com or book online here
Craft for wellbeing
Join Natasha from Creatabot for a creative wellbeing session where you will learn how to make colourful bath bombs using a kit that will be sent to you! The session will also discuss an easy to remember colour inspired meditation technique and a collage activity using bespoke summer-inspired card shapes, included in the kit.
Online session: Wednesday 18th May 2022, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Register: Email dawnrooke58@outlook.com or book online here
Singing Hands
Makaton Signing Classes – Singing Hands
Hello and welcome to Singing Hands! We are Suzanne and Tracy and we would like to introduce you to the amazing world of signing with Makaton. Our unique and enthusiastic approach is designed to help develop someone’s communication potential through music, songs, games & activities. We focus on learning language in a way that it is motivating, engaging and most of all, fun!
Online session: Monday 30th May 2022, 11:00am
Register: Email dawnrooke58@outlook.com or book online here
More information
Watch this short video from Diana, one of our hosts, who explains more about the sessions (although please note that Diana’s sessions are not currently running)
Family Carers’ Email Network
Join our Family Carers’ Email Network and get in touch with families around the UK to share experiences, get information and peer support.
