Cotswold Chatterblog

Date: February 12, 2008

A network to support parents of children with disabilities will be launched later this week.
Face 2 Face is a network of trained befriender volunteers who help parents to come to terms with news that their child has a disability and to offer them positive support and advice.

The scheme will be launched on Thursday 14th February at the National Star Centre in Ullenwood. Parents of children with disabilities are welcome to come along to meet the befrienders and to find out how the scheme works.

Louise Farmer, Face 2 Face Volunteer Coordinator, said: “Every Face 2 Face befriender is a parent too - someone whose own child has a disability. They know what it’s like to cope with a new diagnosis and can offer support parent to parent.

Befrienders provide emotional support to parents at the time of diagnosis of their child’s disability or at any other time when parents may feel overwhelmed with issues relating to their child’s disability.”

Befrienders have received 40 hours of training which includes listening skills, child protection, empathy and confidentiality. They can either visit parents at home or give support over the phone or by email. It is an informal and flexible arrangement designed to suit parents. Befrienders have six-weekly meetings to discuss their clients and any concerns that they might have.

Councillor Paul McLain, Cabinet Members for Young People, said: ”The world can sometimes feel like a desperate and lonely place to parents of children with disabilities. It’s so important to have someone to talk to. Someone who’s been there, done that, got the tee shirt. The Befrienders network is open to all parents of children with disabilities. It’s a great lifeline.”

Referrals can be accepted by parents or professionals and they can make contact with face 2 Face by phoning 01452 872290 or by email to louise.farmer@gloucestershire.gov.uk. Enquiries can also be made through the website www.face2facenetwork.org.uk/find/Gloucestershire.htm

Gloucestershire’s Face 2 Face scheme meets quality standards set by the national Face 2 Face Network, which is managed by Scope, one of the UK’s leading disability organisations. Face 2 Face is free and confidential and supports parents of children with any type of disability or special need.

Source: Gloucestershire County Council

Tags: gloucestershire | volunteering | cheltenham

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