We recently hosted a truly wonderful parent and carer Reiki workshop, and wow, what a special, deeply restorative, and beautifully relaxing morning it was for our Little Hiccups community! We spent our time together exploring the wonderful healing benefits of Reiki, identifying our chakras, and learning all about the different body systems they rule. The atmosphere at Leeds Mencap was exceptionally calm and peaceful—the absolute perfect environment for us to dive into a relaxing meditation to clean our chakras before forming a group Reiki circle to receive some collective healing. We also had so much fun exploring alternate natural healing ‘self-help’ resources together, including angel cards, plants, crystals, and gorgeous jewellery. To top it all off, everyone was able to take home some handy handouts and their very own crystal keepsake to keep those lovely vibes going at home!
The whole vibe throughout the session was one of pure peace, security, and well-being. It was strictly a space for our amazing adults—the parents and carers of children with additional needs or disabilities—giving everyone a rare and well-deserved opportunity to unwind, recharge, and connect with a fantastic group of people who truly understand the unique journeys of our families.
We were incredibly lucky to be joined by the fantastic Kathleen, a qualified level 2 Reiki practitioner and certified Physiognomist (face reader!). With over 30 years of experience in the performing arts and therapeutic education as a freelance Teacher, Choreographer, and former Dance Therapist, Kathleen brought so much warmth, fun, and expertise to the room. As a proud mum and carer to three wonderful children (two of whom are neurodivergent) and having recently been diagnosed with ADHD herself, she completely connects with our community’s experiences. She beautifully led us through the foundations of this Japanese stress-reduction technique, administering group Reiki and sharing some wonderful, simple everyday rituals to help enhance our daily well-being.
The feedback we received from the morning has completely blown us away, and it just reminds us how vital these adult well-being spaces really are! One of our lovely mums shared that she absolutely loved it all and that it was just what she needed to learn how to take a moment for herself. Another carer mentioned how amazing it felt to be in such a friendly, inviting environment with other women who are carers, realising that she isn’t alone in her journey while picking up practical tips on using oracle cards and cleansing crystals. Others loved having some dedicated adult time to relax and discuss things outside of children’s conditions, and it was so wonderful to see everyone meeting up to share experiences and have a lovely chat over a delicious lunch with some absolutely fab cakes!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, to Kathleen for sharing her incredible energy with us, and to Leeds Mencap for being such a fantastic, fully accessible venue. We wrapped up the session with that lovely lunch, giving everyone a chance to ask questions, natter, and fully enjoy each other’s company. Our team and volunteers absolutely loved supporting this session, and we are already counting down the days until we can facilitate more wellness spaces like this for you all!
