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 a child under 18 years of age, who is going through or has received a diagnosis in the last year

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:

organise your thoughts and feelings
take positive actions and help with your emotional well being
give you coping strategies and insights

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

Beverley [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.

Lo Wilkinson - Navigate customer

Accessing the service

You can apply online or get a referral from the helpline. Contact with your adviser will be online or by phone.

Apply online

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.

Opening times

Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm.

Saturday: 9am to 12pm.