YMCA England Parenting and Support Unit has been working on ten unique Parent and Child Special Needs Projects. These projects have resulted in a broadening in understanding of the special needs issues including working with and effectively supporting these families. Based on the findings, YMCA is going to hold a National Conference in July aiming to inspire others to develop projects in their local area that support family togetherness for parents of children with special needs.

The common difficulties of families with special needs children are the pressures from schools and society. Most of the time, the parents may feel misunderstood or unfairly judged by the general public. The conference will therefore enable the attendants to understand and discuss the problems faced by these families, to consider how these problems can be addressed at a local level as well as exchanging ideas. The conference also allows debate on the need for changes in special needs provision for promoting family togetherness.

The three keynote speakers are Clare Roskill , Head of Family Support Grant and Parenting Fund Team of DfES; Ladey Adey, Director of Family Matters Institute and Kevin Williams, National Secretary of YMCA England.

The conference is aimed at anyone who works with or has an interest in supporting families with special needs children, including parents, educationalists, practitioners in professional or voluntary sectors and community/youth workers. The conference is to be carried out in the format of a workshop.

The conference will be held on Wednesday 14th July 2004, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Stoke Rochford Hall, Nr. Grantham, Lincolnshire.