Because it’s Your Journey, Your Way, you choose what works for you. However you connect, you’ll always find understanding, encouragement, and practical help.
Explore support in the way that suits you best — read our guides, join the online forum, book a support session, or take part in one of our family activities.
All staff and volunteers are DBS-checked and fully STRM-trained
Our peer support sessions, including Tea & Talk, offer SEND parents and carers a safe, welcoming space to connect. Whether you want to share experiences, swap strategies, or simply enjoy a cuppa with people who understand, these informal gatherings provide both practical support and genuine community.
Families leave feeling:
Registering with STRM is completely free and gives you access to supportive, practical help created by SEND parents, for SEND parents.
When you register, you can access:
Peer support – friendly, welcoming sessions like Tea & Talk, where you can connect with others who understand
Online parent carer forum (24/7) – a safe, moderated space to ask questions, share experiences, or just read along
Self-help tools in our Membership Zone – step-by-step guides, templates, planners and our unique Sentence Bank, all written in plain language
Children’s activities – inclusive, sensory-friendly sessions designed to support confidence, wellbeing and fun
Practical workshops & training – covering benefits, education, EHCPs, emotional regulation and everyday family life
Community events – relaxed, family-friendly gatherings where you and your child are welcome just as you are
Updates on positive change – optional updates about our work to improve understanding and inclusion for SEND families
Everything is optional. You choose what support works for you, at your own pace — with STRM here if you need us.
Our private, moderated forum connects you with over 2,100 SEND parents anytime, day or night.
Ask questions, share experiences, and get real support from a community that understands your everyday challenges.
Everything here is optional , you can dip in and out at your own pace.
Inside our Membership Zone, you’ll find practical tools you can use in your own time, including: Step-by-step guides for DLA and education support
Inclusive activities that support wellbeing, confidence and fun — such as Bouldering New Starters and club sessions.
Safe, sensory-friendly spaces designed to help children grow, connect, and enjoy being themselves.
Workshops designed to build knowledge and confidence, covering topics such as:
DLA, PIP & disability benefits
Education and EHCP guidance
Emotional regulation strategies
Eating Differences support
Everyday tools for family life
Practical, accessible, and grounded in lived experience.
Seasonal gatherings and family-friendly events that bring SEND families together.
A chance to meet others, make memories, and enjoy time in spaces where you and your children feel understood and welcome.
When you register with STRM, you’ll hear about the work we do to highlight family experiences and promote better understanding of SEND needs.
Our campaigns aim to make things fairer, more inclusive, and easier for families.
Our warm, welcoming peer support sessions including Tea & Talk give you a safe space to connect with people who truly understand.
Speak freely, listen, or simply unwind with others on a similar journey.
Families leave feeling more confident, less isolated, and reassured that they are not alone.
Yes – for most of our sessions, you’ll need to register with STRM before booking. This helps us manage numbers and prepare properly so everyone gets the support they need. Once registered, you can book onto sessions through our form.
We do offer drop-in sessions, which are advertised through our social media channels and don’t require booking in advance.
Any parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND – diagnosed or not – is welcome to join us. Whether you’re new to the journey or have years of experience, you’ll find understanding and support here. Our sessions are open to families living in Rochford, Castle Point, and Southend.
Whether you’re joining as a parent or booking for your child, you’ll get clear, practical guidance from people with lived experience.
Before your session, we’ll email you with details on what to expect, where to go, and what to bring.
Afterwards, we can signpost to the next steps, local services, and resources.
Yes, all sessions are free (unless otherwise stated). Some may include optional refreshments or workshops.
As a small charity, we do welcome donations to help us continue running these sessions and supporting families. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Find out more or support us at Donate – STRM Support
You’ll need to register with STRM first by completing the steps above.
Once registered, go to the Booking Sessions section on our website.
After you’ve booked, we’ll confirm your place and send full session details within 2–3 working days.
If you haven’t heard by then, please check your spam folder or contact us at [email protected]. Our sessions are open to families living in Rochford, Castle Point, and Southend.
These sessions are designed just for parents and carers unless you’re booking one of our children’s activities. Some of our venues are child-friendly, so always check our booking link for information.
Not at all. There’s no pressure to speak – come to listen, learn, or just be in supportive company.
Make sure you add to your safe senders in your inbox.
Add to Contacts: [email protected] (new address for activities & sessions)
Add to Contacts: [email protected] (still used for Mailchimp emails & contacting us directly)
