A mum of two teens with additional needs from Shepton Mallet has decided to offer support and advice to other parents.

Heather-Juliette Bryson, 48 , has spent years battling with local schools, medical professionals and the council for much-needed resources and support.

"My 13 year old has Tourettes Syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder , OCD and Autism. My 15 year old has been in autistic burnout due to school trauma and complex PTSD for years. Neither could access school due to emotion-based school avoidance, bullying and unmet needs...and it's taken me years to secure them the funded bespoke education packages they needed. "

Heather, a former student support worker and teacher, explains that the system is extremely hard to navigate, and the whole process of securing an EHCP ( whether in mainstream school or not) getting assesments, social care, dealing with schools and the SEND team at Somerset Council, can be exhausting, time consuming and traumatising.

"I faced some very dark days when my boys were struggling at school. I was also a single parent then, it felt like the whole world was against me, and I was alone.

"All I was trying to do was protect my vulnerable children and get them the provisions they are entitled to by law! It is isolating being a parent carer. My child would be in year 11 now, celebrating finishing his GCSEs and getting excited for his leavers' prom. Instead, he is still scared to leave the house in case he sees his old bullies; he only leaves his room for mealtimes, therapy appointments, or his one hour of tutoring a week. "

"However, I have found that embracing our uniqueness as a family was the key to success. I did a talk last year at International Women's Day entitled 'Finding Joy In The Jungle'.

"There are some perks to not being in school, for example, and having a neurodiverse brain. Low-demand parenting was a game changer for me, mindfulness, self-care, and a philosophy of being kind and patient. Obviously easier some days than others!"

"I have previously volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau and am trained as a Community Connector (via Mendip Health Connections) I've done multiple online parenting and emotion coaching courses, and am an advocate for the National Autistic Society and Tourettes Action.

"My hope is that I will be a friendly, non-judgmental person to open up to, and be able to offer resources, advice and a signpost for parents if they come to my drop-in session this Friday morning, 10-12 at The Art Bank. It will be every month, free of charge, and hopefully parents will meet others at the cafe and it might even become an informal support group."

SEND parent carer drop in is Friday 4th July, 10- 12, The Art Bank, Shepton Mallet and monthly thereafter.