During 2024 Knowle West Alliance (KWA) attended events across the estate, making connections and sharing experiences. We really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and ideas. Two common themes emerged:
- How to access information and children’s activities relating to SEND
- Local youth provision
In response we asked residents and Bristol Autism Support (based in KW) for their recommendations. This is a broad topic and each family’s situation is unique. Navigating the often-complex public services, charities and support services put in place to help you or your child can be confusing and stressful.
To help simplify things we have highlighted:
- how KWA can help
- what is available locally & where you can get practical 121 support
- broader services and city wide activities
ASK: Do you know of any Knowle West groups or events we have missed? Please upload to the Community Website www.knowlewest.co.uk (tag ‘SEND’) or contact us
OFFERS: Be part of shaping future services in the area. Contact us with your name & number/email if you are interested:
- Resident led focus group on youth/SEND. Would you like to join a peer support group with access to expert guidance, learning, shared experience, 121 support and help completing forms. KWA can offer guidance and funding to help set this up. This would be very organic based on who shows an interest. Initially you can expect a safe meeting space at a regular time and day, no obligation to attend every meeting, option to attend online.
- Access to activities. We want all resident groups and activities to be as accessible as possible. If you require childcare or transport to attend sessions, how to facilitate this can be discussed in the resident group.
- Invite KWA to attend your event, school, group, or organisation. We can bring information on local activities; signpost you to services and create opportunity for you to share your views.
Knowle West
> Bristol Parent Carer Forum monthly Coffee Morning with SEND and You, Carers Support Centre & Bristol Autism Project. Online coffee mornings also available. More information about BPC below.
📌 Inns Court Community & Family Centre, 1 Marshall Walk
🕓 10:30-12:30
📆 Upcoming dates: May 1st, June 12th, July 10th
🌐 Book online and follow Bristol Parent Carer Forum for more events on Eventbrite
> Knowle Schools Parents Facebook group set up by a local resident whose children have additional needs. Share experiences, ask for advice, what’s on and information for parents and carers.
> South Bristol Salvation Army Lego club, SENS sessions for primary school children and their siblings, Sensory space available. Drop-in 50p per child, drinks included. Parents stay with their children.
📌 Padstow Road
🕓 4-5pm, Fridays, term time only
> Youth Moves host a SEND Youth Club in partnership with The Park Centre College. Contact them direct for more details.
📌 The Park Centre, Daventry Road
📞 0117 363 4969 / in**@yo********.uk
> Ups and Downs South West Can help if you are the parents of a child with Down Syndrome, a health care or education professional involved with Down Syndrome.
📌 The Park Centre, Daventry Road
📞 0117 432 5050 / in**@up*********.net
Find out more
All the organisations featured in this article have good Facebook pages and websites with hints, tips, learning opportunities, resources and events.
If you do not have internet access at home, Bristol Libraries provide free computer, internet, Wi-Fi access & guidance, as well as printing services.
Many KW community spaces offer the same.
South Bristol
Family Hubs run activities, support you and your family to access services and information both in person and online. For families, with children up to age 19, or young people up to age 25 with special educational needs and disabilities.
Highlights: timetable of local activities, South Bristol Family Hub Navigator. 📌 3 x locations in Hartciffe
The Robins Foundation pan-disability football programme which provides an opportunity for both young people and adults with disabilities the opportunity to make friends, get active and have fun. 📌 Imperial Sports Ground
Super Sense one of the largest sensory rooms in the UK. 📌 Imperial Sports Ground
Bristol
In addition to your child’s school, Bristol Parent Carers are recommended as your first point of call. A non-profit organisation based in Bristol, consisting of volunteer parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As a pan-disability charity, they provide information and support to all families, regardless of their child’s type of need or diagnosis status.
Highlights:
- Booklet which brings together all the SEND support Bristol has to offer. It is important to know that any child you care for does not usually need to be diagnosed in order for you to access the support and advise detailed in this booklet.
- Details of local and online coffee mornings
- Events listing
- Search A-Z on their website for support and signposting on every disability form
- 📞 07306 650222 / in**@br*****************.uk. Please remember that this forum is run by parent carers with disabled children of their own, who help Bristol Parent Carers as volunteers.
> Bristol SENDIAS, SEND and You (SAY) is the information, advice & support for children and young people aged 0-25 in Bristol, who have, or may have special educational needs and disabilities, and their parents. It is a statutory service that is confidential, impartial and free.
Highlights: specialise in school support, sign up to their newsletter, easy read factsheets, online & in person workshops, events and more.
> Bristol Autism Support (BAS) is a local peer support charity for parents and carers of autistic children (any age and no diagnosis required). BAS run regular coffee morning and peer support groups across Bristol including at the Imperial Sports Ground. Information sessions and courses are also available, or you can book a 1-1 with the team. Helpline 07835 727 394.
> Bristol City Council search SEND. Details of the Bristol Local Offer, their responsibilities, events & more.
> Families in Focus support families and children aged 0 to 18 yrs who need intensive and co-ordinated help to meet their complex needs. This could include support with: mental health, domestic violence, substance misuse, unemployment and financial difficulties, SEND and education issues, understanding child behaviour, parenting.
How to get help – Talk to the professional who’s been helping you. They’ll do a First Assessment Service referral for you. You can also refer yourself by calling First Response on 0117 903 6444.
> www.theautismpage.com A collection of resources created by a local mother of an autistic child.
> Out & About providing short breaks for Disabled children and young people around Bristol.
> Gympanzees lending library, a borrowing system for families, schools and organisations to borrow specialist exercise and sensory equipment.
NATIONAL
Here are some other resources you may find useful.
www.gov.uk Search SEND. Overview of statutory educational support.
Happy Maps is a one-stop hub of information on young people’s mental health. For Parents, Professionals and Young People
Council For Disabled Children work collaboratively, from policy into practice, a wealth of resources for children, young people, families, carers, and professionals.
Highlights: FAQ’s, newsletter, library of resources including material specifically written for parents, guidance and toolkits, E-Learning, online events & training. Operate several different networks, programmes and special interest groups that focus on specific aspects of the sector.
Contact us
If you would like to know more about the offers in this article, have questions about KWA or this article, please contact us. We cannot signpost individual SEND enquiries, please contact the services in this guide.
- in**@kw********.uk
- Call / WhatsApp / text Hannah on 07761 096 989
Hannah & Kirstie KWA 😊
