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Navigate: emotional support for parents
Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs.
Eligibility
Navigate is open to any parent or carer who:
- lives in England or Wales
- has parental responsibility for a child under 18 years of age
- has received a diagnosis in the last year or is on the path to receiving one.
About the service
Navigate is a 6-week programme that puts you in touch with a personal adviser, who will help you to talk about your feelings and concerns.
The service will help you to:
- organising your thoughts and feelings
- practical advice and suggestions
- coping strategies and insights
- taking positive actions and helping you with emotional wellbeing
Your personal adviser
You will have weekly catch ups with your adviser online and by phone. Your adviser will work with you on a one-to-one basis, helping you to:
- explore your needs and personal goals
- agree your 6-week action plan, and
- provide you with support, if you need it
Lo - Navigate customerBeverley [adviser] has been amazing and speaking to her is like getting a warm hug. Not only does she offer me options of things to try and suggest organisations who may help, she just makes me feel like she really cares about me.
Accessing the service
You can apply online or get a referral from the helpline. Contact with your adviser will be online or by phone.
If there is no space, we will offer you the opportunity to join a waiting list. We will do our best to point you to supporting information.
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters
You can access video calls with BSL interpreters, using the InterpretersLive! service.
Access interpreters on mobile, desktop and laptop for free.
Reaching the end of the programme
At the end of the 6 weeks, you will look at what did or did not work and rate your overall progress.
Depending on availability, you may get to choose to start again with new goals.
It's not suitable for everyone
Your adviser cannot help you with:
This service is online or by phone. If you prefer face to face meetings, this service may not be for you.
Office opening times
The Navigate office is open weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
Appointments with your adviser can take place outside of these office hours, and include weekday evenings or Saturday mornings.