A new parent-led organisation has launched in Warrington to support families raising children with disabilities and additional needs.
REALLL Support CIC, a newly established not-for-profit organisation created by parent carers for parent carers, has officially launched with a mission to provide understanding, peer support, and practical guidance to families navigating the complex systems surrounding children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Founded by three directors who are themselves parent carers, REALLL Support CIC was born from lived experience and a shared determination to make life easier for families facing the challenges of securing the right support for their children. REALLL Support CIC offers a safe and welcoming space where families can connect, share experiences and access peer support from people who “get it”, who really understand the realities of raising a child with SEND.
Vicky James is the parent of a 17-year-old son with a rare genetic condition and has extensive lived experience of navigating the often-complex SEND, health and social care systems. Having spent years advocating for her son and securing the support he needs, she understands the significant pressures parent carers face and the impact this can have on family wellbeing and mental health. Vicky works for Warrington VIP (Visually Impaired People), supporting blind and partially sighted individuals across Warrington. As a volunteer trustee for Families United, she developed and submitted a successful funding application that secured £308,000 for the organisation, strengthening services for local families. Her passion for empowering and supporting vulnerable families continues to shape the work and values of REALLL Support CIC.
Lauren Wilson is a mum of two whose lived experience of navigating complex healthcare and support systems for her daughter has fuelled her passion for supporting other families. Having spent years advocating for her child through hospital admissions, surgeries and ongoing support needs in a mainstream setting, Lauren understands the emotional and practical challenges parent carers face. She has also volunteered with Parents in Mind as a peer supporter, helping parents access emotional support and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Lindsay Owen brings extensive experience and knowledge from both the education and care sectors, alongside a strong understanding of safeguarding and the challenges facing vulnerable children and families. Her professional expertise, combined with her lived experience as a parent carer, provides valuable insight into the systems families must navigate and helps ensure that REALLL Support CIC delivers practical, informed and compassionate support.
The organisation offers a safe, supportive community where parent carers can connect with others who understand the realities of raising a child with disabilities, whether physical disabilities, neurodivergence, rare genetic conditions, sensory impairments, or other additional needs.
REALLL Support CIC recognises that these demands can take a significant emotional toll.
The organisation’s name reflects its core values:
R.E.A.L.L.L.
Rant, Empathise, Advise Lightly and Laugh Loudly
The organisation’s ethos is simple: create a community where parent carers can connect, share experiences, laugh, cry, vent frustrations, celebrate successes and support one another without judgement.
The founders understand that while there are some excellent professionals working across education, health and social care, accessing support can still be incredibly difficult. Parent carers often find themselves attending meetings alone, challenging decisions, completing lengthy forms and fighting for services their children need, all while managing the day-to-day realities of family life.
REALLL Support CIC aims to provide a place where families can seek peer support, exchange knowledge, build confidence and, perhaps most importantly, realise they are not alone.
Vicky James, Founding Director of REALLL Support CIC, said: “My son is 17 and attends a specialist provision outside our local area. He is an absolute joy and brings so much energy to our family. However, ensuring the right support is in place has been incredibly difficult. We’ve had to navigate multiple home-to-school transport issues, educational challenges, short-break support for respite, accessing A&E services and much more. Along the way, I’ve experienced professionals dismissing and gaslighting me, although I’ve also been fortunate to meet some amazing professionals who genuinely made a difference. It can be tough. My passion is making it easier for others, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained to help parent carers navigate these complex, underfunded systems and providing reassurance when they need to sanity-check what’s happening around them.”
Lauren Wilson, Founding Director of REALLL Support CIC, said: “As parent carers, we’ve experienced first-hand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re trying to support your child while also navigating education, health and social care systems. Too often, families are left feeling isolated and unsure where to turn. REALLL Support CIC is about creating a welcoming, non-judgemental community where parents can connect with others who truly understand their experiences, share knowledge and support one another through the challenges they face.”
Lindsay Owen, Founding Director of REALLL Support CIC, said: “Having experienced the SEND systems both personally as a parent and professionally through my work supporting individuals with disabilities, I understand how important it is for families to feel heard, informed, and supported. I am passionate about sharing knowledge, building confidence, and helping create a community where families and professionals can access the tools and guidance they need to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Supporting Families
As part of its commitment to reducing isolation and strengthening community connections, REALLL Support CIC has already been approached to support a local holiday club that provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for families.
The organisation is delighted that volunteer Rachael will continue to lead Shining Stars Holiday Club, a much-loved initiative she created to provide inclusive opportunities for children with additional needs and their families.
Rachael is a parent of two children with additional needs, including one who is a wheelchair user. Drawing on her family’s lived experience, she has spent the past two years fundraising and advocating to improve opportunities and experiences for children with disabilities and additional needs across Warrington’s SEND community, Rachel was instrumental in securing funding for the new wheelchair accessible playground at Fantastic Fox Wood School
The club offers a safe and supportive space where children and families can come together, enjoy activities, build friendships and develop valuable social connections.
Rachael said: “As a parent carer myself, I understand how important it is for families to have access to safe, welcoming spaces where children can have fun, build confidence and simply be themselves.
“Shining Stars was created to bring families together, reduce isolation and create a supportive community where everyone feels valued, understood and included. I’m delighted to continue delivering the holiday club through REALLL Support CIC and look forward to welcoming both new and familiar faces.”
Lindsay Owen added: “We are incredibly pleased to have been approached to support a holiday club that shares our values of inclusion and community. We are especially delighted that Rachael will be continuing with Shining Stars Holiday Club, which she developed from the ground up to meet a real need among families.
“For many parent carers, isolation can be one of the biggest challenges they face. Opportunities to meet other families who understand your experiences can have a huge impact on wellbeing, confidence and resilience. We look forward to supporting Rachael and helping Shining Stars continue to grow.”
Looking Ahead
REALLL Support CIC is currently working with key partners to develop services tailored specifically to the needs of parent carers. Through peer support, community-building and collaborative working, the organisation aims to complement existing provision while addressing gaps that families frequently encounter.
Whether parents need a place to rant, laugh, cry, seek advice, or simply connect with people who understand, REALLL Support CIC is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community.
Get Involved
Are you a parent carer?
Join the REALLL Support CIC community by completing the registration form and receive updates on upcoming activities, services and opportunities to connect with other families.
https://forms.gle/NAhEMaFvhznZFDJ67
Their upcoming meetings are held at The Old School project on Fairfield Street, WA1 3AJ:
Evening Escape on Monday 13th July 6.30pm to 8.30pm: Pizza and refreshments included free.
Breakfast Club on Friday 17th July 10am to 12pm: Refreshments and pastries included free.
Schools Out for Parents! Monday 17th August 7pm – 9pm Festival chilled vibes!!
Interested in working with us?
REALLL Support CIC welcomes conversations with organisations, professionals and community partners who share the vision of improving support for parent carers and their families.
Please contact us on connectrscic@gmail.com
