Whitehirst Parent Council would like to establish Whitehirst Together – Family Wellbeing & ASN Programme, a free programme of after-school and early-evening sessions supporting children, parents and carers within our community.

Families are increasingly looking for practical support around children's mental wellbeing, anxiety, emotional regulation and additional support needs. Families can also experience isolation while waiting for assessment or support, and children do not need to have a diagnosis for their family to benefit from advice and strategies.

Our programme will provide a welcoming and inclusive space where families can learn, connect with others and take part in practical wellbeing activities together.

No diagnosis or referral will be required.

The programme will be open to all families who feel they would benefit, including families supporting children experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, sensory differences, autism, ADHD or other additional support needs.

What will we do?

We aim to provide a programme of approximately six free family wellbeing sessions, including:

Understanding My Child An accessible session exploring neurodiversity, including autism and ADHD, and helping parents understand children's individual strengths and needs.

When Feelings Get Too Big Practical strategies for anxiety, emotional regulation, co-regulation, distressed behaviour and supporting children when they become overwhelmed.

Understanding Sensory Needs A practical session helping families understand sensory differences and try simple strategies and activities that can be used at home.

Looking After the Grown-Ups Too Supporting parent and carer wellbeing, recognising stress and burnout and helping families develop their own wellbeing strategies.

Calm Together A practical parent-and-child wellbeing session using activities such as movement, relaxation, mindfulness, creative activities and sensory experiences.

Whitehirst Together Family Wellbeing Event A relaxed final family session bringing children and adults together, sharing information about sources of local support and giving families an opportunity to make connections with one another.

Where possible, we will work in partnership with local organisations and services already supporting children and families and use funding to bring in external specialists and facilitators.

Why is this needed?

Families can face significant challenges when a child is experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation or additional support needs.

Accessing support privately can be expensive, and families may wait a considerable time for assessment or specialist services. Some parents can also feel isolated or unsure about where to turn for advice.

Our project will provide early, accessible and non-judgemental support within the community without requiring a diagnosis.

By making all sessions free, we will remove financial barriers and ensure families who may not otherwise be able to access wellbeing activities or specialist advice have the opportunity to participate.

Who will benefit?

Children, parents and carers from the Whitehirst community will benefit.

Although the programme has a particular focus on mental wellbeing and additional support needs, families will not need a diagnosis or referral to participate.

The programme will therefore support both families already accessing ASN services and those who simply recognise that their child would benefit from additional support with anxiety, emotions, sensory needs or wellbeing.

What difference will the project make?

We hope families taking part will:

feel less isolated and more connected to other families; have increased understanding of neurodiversity and additional support needs; develop practical strategies for supporting anxiety and emotional regulation; better understand sensory needs and children's behaviour; feel more confident supporting their child's wellbeing; have opportunities to enjoy positive wellbeing activities together; know where to access further support within North Ayrshire; and experience improved parent/carer wellbeing and community connection. Proposed £1,000 Budget

External specialist/facilitator sessions – £650

Specialist-led family sessions covering areas such as emotional regulation, sensory needs, neurodiversity, parent wellbeing and practical family wellbeing activities.

Family wellbeing and sensory activity resources – £200

Consumable materials and resources required for practical family sessions, allowing children and parents to participate together.

Refreshments and family engagement costs – £100

Simple refreshments to help create welcoming, informal sessions where families can meet and connect.

Publicity/printing and programme materials – £50

Accessible information and take-home materials for participating families.

Total requested: £1,000

Where appropriate, we will seek support from local organisations to complement the funded programme, allowing the Parent Council to maximise the number of activities families receive from the £1,000 award.

Community impact

Whitehirst Together is about more than providing information.

It is about bringing families together, reducing isolation and making wellbeing and ASN support accessible regardless of family income or whether a child has received a formal diagnosis.

We want families to leave knowing that they are part of a supportive community and with practical strategies they can use in everyday family life.

Together, we learn, we grow, we shine.