Berkshire West Face 2 Face Scheme

We offer an information and befriending service for parents/carers of children with additional needs in the Berkshire West Area (Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham areas). The service is provided by our service co-ordinator and a team of peer supporters, and is based in the Parents Information Room at the NHS Dingley Centre in Reading. 

Every peer supporter is a local mother or father of a child with additional needs or disability, who has completed our training course on supporting other parents. They understand what it's like to cope with the news that your child has additional needs or to navigate your way around the transitions in your child’s life such as starting school. Peer supporters offer their time to listen to you, to offer empathy and reassurance. They also provide up-to-date information on a range of local and national services to support families. 

Peer supporters provide support to parents in a number of ways. They can meet up with a parent at venues across Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire. Or they provide support by talking on the phone, and can keep in touch via email. We offer online counselling for parents who are need of longer term emotional support. 

If you would like to get in touch, please contact Catherine Greaves, our Service Co-ordinator, at catherine@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk or call 07990 761676.  

She will ask for some information about your child, and will then match you with a peer supporter who has a child with a similar diagnosis or similar needs. Once you are matched, you can decide together how and when you want to contact each other.

The service works closely with other voluntary and statutory organisations.   Local professionals who would like more information, including details on how to refer parents or work in partnership with us, please contact Catherine Greaves, catherine@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk   or call 07990 761676.