Bexley Voice

Description

Our free workshops will provide information and support to Bexley parents and carers following their child or young person's ADHD diagnosis.

The workshops are co-presented by Karen Upton, a retired Bexley GP and Stacey Yusuf from Bexley Voice and Bexley Mencap Trustee, who both have vast lived experience. 

Karen explains about the medical model and terms you may have heard on your journey and some practical strategies on how to help your child. 

Stacey shares information about resources and support you can get, local to Bexley and nationally. 

Why attend?

We understand that following an ADHD diagnosis, parents and carers have many feelings, thoughts and conflicting emotions. No two people are the same, but some of the common themes we often hear include:

• Relief that this is not something I have done wrong
• Relief, that there may be some help for me and my child
• Questions about what it will mean for my child
• Questions about what it will mean for me and my family
• Anger, about people who thought my parenting was causing my child’s behaviour or people who have treated me, or my child, badly
• Vindication – people did not take my concerns seriously
• Confusion about what to do next
• There must be some mistake

We understand that parents and carers need a period of adjustment, but also that there is a need for support, as early as possible, after diagnosis. We are therefore offering parents with a recently diagnosed child the opportunity to attend a workshop. This short session is intended to help those who need it, to understand a little more about ADHD and to signpost you to support that is available locally and online, if and when you feel you need it. 

Where are they held? 

The workshops are held online and in person, either during the day or in the evening. 

In person: Danson Youth Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4EZ
Online: via Microsoft TEAMS sessions from your home (you may need to download the app to your laptop or phone)

Who can attend?

They are available to Bexley Voice members.  If you are not a member, click here to apply to join (free membership is open to parents and carers of children or young people with special needs or disabilities who live in the Bexley borough and/or attend a Bexley borough educational setting).

When are they held?

Various. See below.

Do I need to book?

Yes, spaces are limited. You will need to complete the booking form on our events calendar. 

Although the workshops are provided free of charge, they do require Bexley Voice resources to run (finances and volunteer time), so it is very important that any registered places are taken up. If you know that you cannot attend a session, for which you have registered, we respectfully request that you let us know in advance, so that we can either offer someone else a space or postpone the session. If you need to cancel on the day, due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know as soon as possible, even if this is after the event. We understand fully that on the day there can be emergencies which mean people cannot attend sessions for which they have registered.

Please contact:

Stacey.yusuf@bexleyvoice.org.uk