New SEND Family Support Forum Launches in Cirencester to Tackle Isolation and Build Community
A new weekly SEND Family Support Forum has launched in Cirencester, providing free support, advocacy and community connection for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), mental health challenges and disabilities.
The forum, which began on Thursday 7th May 2026, has been created by a small neurodivergent-led Community Interest Company (CIC) established in June 2025. Developed through lived experience and professional knowledge of education and SEND systems, the initiative responds to the growing need for accessible support in Cirencester and surrounding rural areas, where many families report feeling isolated and underserved.
While the forum is based in Cirencester, organisers are encouraging families from across the wider South Cotswolds and nearby rural communities to attend. However, the exact venue location is not currently stated in the information provided, so it would be helpful to add this before publication.
Held weekly and always free to attend, the forum offers a safe, welcoming and neuro-affirming environment where families can access specialist advice, peer support and guidance around education, disability rights, neurodivergence and mental health.
Organisers say the project was created to strengthen early support for families and help prevent challenges escalating into crisis, exclusion or family breakdown.
“We want to build a supportive community where families feel heard, accepted and empowered to access their rights,” the organisers said. “Provision for children, young people and families with SEND in rural areas remains limited, and we know how isolating this can be.”
The forum also aims to support young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), helping create opportunities for learning, work and community participation through future partnerships with voluntary and employment-focused organisations.
Alongside specialist, trauma-informed advice, the sessions provide opportunities for families to connect with others facing similar experiences, helping to reduce isolation and build resilience within the local community.
The launch session on 7th May included SEND Consultation support delivered in partnership with ND Hub Glos, helping families respond to consultations affecting local SEND provision.
Families and organisations can continue to access the weekly forum from 10am–12pm on the following dates:
May: 16 (Saturday), 21, 28
June: 4, 13 (Saturday), 18, 25
July: 2, 9, 23, 30
August: 8 (Saturday), 13, 20, 27
September: 3, 10, 17, 24
October: 1, 10 (Saturday), 15, 22, 29
November: 5, 14 (Saturday), 19, 26
December: 3, 12 (Saturday), 17
Selected Saturday sessions have been included to make the forum as accessible as possible for working families and carers.
For more information, please email: info@nd-send-specialists.co.uk