About special families
Special Families East Grinstead is a supportive, friendly, and informal community dedicated to helping families navigate the unique challenges and celebrate the joys of raising children with disabilities and additional needs. Formed in March 2014, we are a non-profit organisation run by parents and carers who truly understand your journey.
Our Community
We provide a safe space where parents and carers can share experiences, seek advice, find resources, and build lasting friendships. Our children have a wide range of conditions, including ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Chromosome disorders, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Epilepsy, learning disabilities, and visual impairments.
How We Help
We host various events and activities designed to support families and promote inclusion. These include:
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Coffee mornings with insightful guest speakers.
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Social evenings and workshops.
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Fun, inclusive events for the whole family, facilitated in partnership with other local organisations.
Who Can Join
We encourage families with all ranges of conditions or disabilities to join us. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to become part of our community. We understand that often, the time before a diagnosis is when support is needed the most. We find that most families will experience similar concerns and issues, and we are here to help.
Join us and connect with others who understand what you're going through.
Our Trustees
Chair
Catherine Wilson
I've been involved with Special Families since the very beginning, taking on the role of Treasurer when we officially formed. As the current Chair, I hope to bring some fresh ideas to the group.
I'm married to Colin, and we have a son and a daughter. Our son was born at 27 weeks, and as a result, he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, sight impairment, ASD, ADHD, and learning difficulties. I have a part-time career in payroll alongside being a full-time carer.
SECRETARY
Amy Le Pelley
I am very excited to have joined Special Families this year as the new secretary. I am married to Dan and I am a stay at home mum to two daughters and a son. My oldest daughter has Autism.
TREASURER
Joanne Bradbury
I have been on the committee of Special Families for a couple of years, but this year I took on the role as Treasurer. I have a daughter, who was born at 24 weeks. This resulted in her having Cerebral palsy, ADHD, learning difficulties, visual impairment and Dyslexia. I am a full time working single parent, so life is always busy.
Our History
our founders
Special Families East Grinstead was founded on March 31, 2014, by two mothers, Emma Bashford and Emma Martin-Dale. Frustrated by having to constantly travel to other towns for special needs activities, they created a small Facebook group for parents of children with additional needs. Their goal was to create a local network of support and provide local activities for their children and siblings, filling a significant gap in service provision. The group instantly gave them a collective voice and a much-needed support network.
Just over a year later, the group had grown significantly. In July 2015, it officially became a non-profit organisation with a small charity constitution, run by a dedicated committee of parent volunteers led by then-Chair, Emma Bashford. Following a reorganisation in January 2020, Catherine Wilson took over as Chair. The Facebook community has since grown to include over 900 members, a testament to the continued need for our services.
Emma Martin-Dale & Emma Bashford