SEN collective connects North East community

A new not-for-profit initiative has launched to bring together families, professionals and organisations across the North East’s special educational needs community.

The North East SEN-collective officially launched at Northern Stage in Newcastle, creating a regional network designed to improve access to support, information and connections.

The event brought together parents, carers, professionals, charities, community groups and individuals with lived experience, with more than £2000 raised through ticket and raffle sales.

All money generated by the not-for-profit collective will be reinvested into the SEN community to support future events, activities and opportunities across the region.

The launch included speakers sharing lived and professional experiences, alongside opportunities for attendees to meet others and learn more about existing support.

It also featured The Exchange, a dedicated space where groups, services and organisations could share information about the help available across the North East.

While parents and carers are at the heart of the initiative, the collective is also encouraging educators, professionals, charities and other organisations working within SEN to become involved.

Organisers say the ambition is to develop a long-term regional community rather than simply deliver individual events, helping people build friendships, access information and establish stronger support networks.

Claire Knight, co-founder of North East SEN-collective, said: “When we first talked about creating the North East SEN-collective, we knew from our own experiences that there was a need for something that brought people together but seeing that room full of people really brought home just how much it was needed.

“So much of this is about finding your tribe. 

“When you’re navigating the SEN world, having people around you who understand – without you having to explain – can make such a difference. 

“We want the Collective to help people find those connections, whether that’s friendship, support, advice or simply someone who can say, ‘I get it.’

“There are so many brilliant people, organisations and services already doing amazing things across the North East. 

“We don’t want to duplicate that – we want to connect it. 

“We want people to find each other more easily, whether that’s a parent finding someone who just gets it, a family discovering a service they didn’t know existed, or professionals making connections that lead to something positive.

“The launch was the starting point. 

“Now we want to build on that momentum and create something that genuinely makes a difference to SEN families and the wider community across the North East.”

Claire added: “To raise more than £2000 through ticket and raffle sales was incredible too. 

“We are not-for-profit, so every penny we raise is going straight back into the SEN community. 

“It means we can start thinking about what else we can create, support and make happen across the North East.”

Following the Newcastle launch, the North East SEN-collective plans to develop further events and initiatives aimed at strengthening connections across the region.

Jane Lertas-Robinson, co-founder of  North East SEN-collective, added: “What struck me most about the launch was the energy in the room. 

“There was an immediate feeling that people wanted to connect, share what they knew and support one another.

“The SEN community in the North East is incredibly passionate, but it can sometimes feel fragmented. 

“Families might know about one organisation or one source of support but have no idea what else is available to them. 

“Equally, there are professionals and organisations doing fantastic work who would benefit from being better connected with each other and with the families they support.

“The Collective gives us an opportunity to help bridge some of those gaps. 

“The launch showed us what’s possible when you get the right people in the same room, and we’re really excited about where we can take it next.

“We spoke about the challenges of mental health as a parent carer, and how we need to look after ourselves better so we can then look after our children (you can’t pour from an empty cup as the saying goes!). 

“The aim of the collective will be to help improve that through social meets, wellbeing opportunities and just creating a space for connection, which will hopefully help to reduce loneliness and isolation.” 

To find out more, follow the North East SEN-collective on Instagram.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.