Today was all about community, connection, and making sure parent carers in Leeds know they are never alone.
I spent a fantastic, productive day delivering outreach at The Compton Centre Community Hub in Harehills. It was an absolute privilege to set up shop in the heart of the community and chat directly with families who are navigating the often-complex world of raising children with additional needs.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
I wasn’t flying solo today. I was incredibly fortunate to be joined by Natalie Millner-Shannon, the SEND Co-ordinator for the Early Help Service.
Having Natalie alongside me was invaluable. It allowed us to offer a truly holistic wrap-around conversation for the parent carers we met. While families could chat with Natalie about navigating the local offer, early interventions, and statutory support, they could turn to me for a look at the hands-on, day-to-day joy and community solidarity.
Spreading the Word About Little Hiccups
Our main mission for the day was simple: let parent carers know that Little Hiccups is here for them.
When you are caring for a child with additional needs, the isolation can sometimes feel overwhelming. We spent the day breaking down those barriers, sharing how Little Hiccups provides a vital safety net through:
Our Family Fun Days: Creating accessible, judgment-free events where the whole family can make memories.
Stay and Play Sessions: Giving parents a space to grab a cuppa and chat with people who just get it, while the kids play safely.
Our Support Network: Offering a reassuring guiding hand through the ups and downs of the SEND journey.
We listened to some incredibly moving stories, answered practical questions, and—most importantly—welcomed several new families into the fold.
Why Community Hubs Matter
Outreach days like this remind us why meeting people where they are is so vital. The Compton Centre is a bustling, vibrant lifeline for Harehills, and being physically present there allowed us to reach parents who might not have found us online or known where to look for support.
A massive thank you to the team at The Compton Centre for hosting us, and an even bigger thank you to Natalie for being such a brilliant partner in crime today.
Are you a parent carer in Leeds? If you couldn’t make it down to see us today, don’t worry! You can find out more about our upcoming sessions, trips, and support networks by checking out the Little Hiccups website or dropping us a message. We’d love to welcome you.
