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Genuine help for real-life caring
We’re an independent, inclusive charity dedicated to supporting parents and carers of all ages across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, and the wider Dorset area. Whether you care for a child or an adult, our goal is to make sure you're not alone in your journey.
From practical advice and advocacy to emotional support and connection, we provide a safe space where you can share your journey, ask questions, and access the help you need.
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We offer:
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One to one support with knowledgable advisors and experienced trained counsellors.
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Consultations to help us better understand your situation.
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Events and themed workshops around various health and education matters.
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Information and guides which we coproduce with other health and education organisations.
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Signposting or refer parents and carers to the most reliant support for their individual needs.
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Working strategically with senior partners, attending meetings with health and education providers.
You’re not alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
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Emotional support that really listens
Being a parent or carer of someone with SEND can be incredibly rewarding – but it can, at times, also feel isolating, challenging, overwhelming and exhausting.
We offer free counselling* and group therapy for parents and carers who need space to talk, reflect, and feel supported.
Whether you’d prefer one-to-one sessions or the comfort of sharing with others who understand, we’re here to help you look after your mental and emotional wellbeing in a way
that works for you.
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*up to six free sessions with an experienced counsellor.
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Making parents and carers feel valued, recognised and understood
At the Parent Carer Foundation, we believe no parent or carer should ever feel invisible, isolated, or unheard. That’s why we’re here: to offer real support from people who truly understand the challenges of caring for someone with special educational needs and disabilities.
We’re an independent charity led by people with lived
experience of the unique challenges of SEND. We know what
it’s like to feel overwhelmed — but we also know how powerful it can be to have someone by your side who simply gets it.
Whether you care for a child, teenager or adult — whether your journey is just beginning or you've been navigating it for years — we are here to support you every step of the way.
What we do
We provide a safe, welcoming space where you can:
ask questions and get trusted advice, access emotional and practical support, connect with other parents and carers and
be part of a community that understands your world.
From advocacy and peer support to signposting and social
events, everything we do is about making sure you're not alone.
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We offer:
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One to one support with knowledgable advisors and experienced trained counsellors.
-
Consultations to help us better understand your situation.
-
Events and themed workshops around various health and education matters.
-
Information and guides which we coproduce with other health and education organisations.
-
Signposting or refer parents and carers to the most reliant support for their individual needs.
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Working strategically with senior partners, attending meetings with health and education providers.
We listen.
We support.
We stand with you.
We support families and carers across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the wider Dorset area. Our strength comes from the connections we build — between people, services, and experiences.
We're proud to work alongside local organisations, NHS services and professionals to help improve the lives of SEND families.
And we’re just as proud of the relationships we build with each and every parent and carer who comes to us.
Because together, we’re stronger.
Partnerships
We are working in partnership with a variety of local and national organisations to make sure that services are accessible and available to meet the needs of children, carers and their families. We aim to build strong and sustainable links to further enhance the voices of parents and carers with regard to their issues and concerns.
Our steering group meets four times a year and consists of Parents, Carers and Professionals, so together we have a stronger voice that can work towards improving the lives of families, children and young people with disabilities. We can achieve this by putting forward your concerns and issues to relevant key policymakers and service providers.
Parent Carer Foundation is privately funded and donations are welcome, without your help, we could not continue.
Contact
Follow us
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Volunteer
We are always looking for help, with events, workshops and even finding new trustees. If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please get in touch
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More detail
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity?
Do you have an interest in special educational needs and disabilities?
Can you spare 2 - 3 hours a month?
Then the Parent Carer Foundation needs you.
Come and join our volunteer training course and gain new skills in coaching, listening and learning how to signpost parents/carers to the information they need to make informed decisions. Please contact us to register your interest and we will make arrangement to meet up to discuss this opportunity.
We look forward to hearing from you and having you join our team of volunteers.
Together we can support parents/carers of children with SEN/SEND.
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