1 Ramsey Court

122 Church Street

Croydon

CRO IRF

Number of befrienders: 11

Local information:

The scheme has just started a local support group for parents.  Details on the next Face 2 Face befriender training will be available shortly. Please contact the above for more information.

Parents of a child with a disability or special need have said for a long time that it would have helped them to have another parent to talk to.

Finding out that your child has a disability or special need is very painful and traumatic experience for most parents. The shock and feeling of guilt, anxiety and isolation can be unbearable. Sometimes these feelings return at different stages (a family crisis: decisions about education for example). Although professionals involved in a child's life are able to offer practical support, a Face 2 Face befriender can provide emotional support to the parent.

A befriender is a mother or father of a child with disability or special need who can understand how parents may be feeling. Befrienders are carefully trained and are there to offer a confidential impartial support service.

This service was launched eight years ago and is now working in partnership with HomeStart Croydon, an organisation that provides practical help to families undergoing stress with raising children under five. The partnership is working quite well because referrals can also come from HomeStart families.

Face 2 Face Croydon is managed by HomeStart Croydon.