EVENTS
Weaving for Wellbeing
Parent caring can be constant — and finding time for yourself can feel impossible. Weaving for Wellbeing is a gentle, creative programme designed to help parent carers (and young people who’d like to join) slow down, connect, and take part in something calming and meaningful alongside others in the STEP community.
Led by Holly, these relaxed peer-support sessions offer a warm space to try simple textile techniques, reflect on colour and wellbeing, and create something you can feel proud of — one step at a time. If you’re unable to attend in person, we can provide dyed fabrics and offer online options so you can take part from home.
Who can attend?
Parent carers are welcome to attend, and young people are welcome to join with their parent if they’d like to take part in the activities.
When is it?
Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings, 6.30pm – 8.00pm (dates listed below).
What the programme offers
- A friendly, supportive space to unwind and connect with others
- Guided reflection on colour, wellbeing, and creative expression
- Simple, beginner-friendly weaving and wrapping techniques
- The chance to create your own textile piece using dyed fabric and recycled materials
- Options to take part online for those who are isolated at home
Programme structure (6 sessions)
Session 1: Introduction and dyeing fabrics, with guided reflection on colour and wellbeing
Session 2: Cutting and tearing fabrics into strips, and learning basic weaving and wrapping techniques
Sessions 3–6: Creating your own woven textile piece using collaboratively dyed fabrics and other recycled materials
At the end of the programme, Holly will bring the individual pieces together into one collaborative textile artwork — a shared creative expression of the STEP community.
A gentle invitation
You don’t need experience, confidence, or a “creative bone in your body” — just a willingness to come along and take part at your own pace. Whether you join us in person or from home, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
Sessions are taking place –
11th Feb 2026
25th Feb 2026
4th Mar 2026
11th Mar 2026
18th Mar 2026
25th Mar 2026
Burnout to Balance
Caring for a neurodivergent child can be deeply meaningful — and emotionally demanding. Many parent carers live with ongoing stress, exhaustion, guilt, and the sense that they have to keep going no matter what.
Caring with Compassion is a supportive wellbeing programme created especially for SEND parent carers. Delivered by clinical psychologists from Beyond Barriers, it offers a safe, understanding space to pause, reflect, and build emotional strength alongside others who truly understand the realities of caring.
This programme is not about fixing you or telling you to do more. It’s about compassion, understanding, and practical support — for you.
What the programme offers
- A warm, non-judgemental space to share experiences
- Help understanding the emotional impact of caring
- Practical tools to manage overwhelm and stress
- Support to calm your nervous system and manage difficult emotions
- A compassionate approach to guilt, self-criticism, and burnout
- Greater confidence, balance, and emotional resilience
Programme structure
The programme runs over four 2-hour sessions, allowing time to reflect and gently practise between sessions.
- Session 1: Understanding the emotional impact of caring
- Session 2: Unmet needs, self-care & the ‘Oxygen Mask’
- Session 3: Managing emotions & calming the nervous system
- Session 4: Values, moral distress & building your Compassion Kitbag
Who is it for?
This programme is for parent carers of children and young people with SEND who may be feeling:
- emotionally exhausted or overwhelmed
- stuck in constant “survival mode”
- guilty for needing support
- isolated or unsupported
You don’t need a diagnosis or referral — just a willingness to take some time for yourself.
How it’s delivered
- Small, supportive groups
- Face-to-face sessions (online delivery available where needed)
- Led by experienced clinical psychologists
- Grounded in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
A gentle invitation
Caring can be relentless, and it’s easy to put yourself last. If you’re feeling stretched, tired, or in need of understanding and support, we warmly invite you to join us.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Dates and Times to be confirmed shortly…
Reducing Parenting Conflicts
Facilitated by Rachel Valentine from Trafford Collective. The Reducing Parenting Conflicts course will look at the areas of conflict that parents face, and ways to support you to support one another, increasing positive communication and building collaborative relationships. STEP will be in attendance at the sessions and we will be providing refreshments. (Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking.)
Programme structure
The course runs over 4 weeks and takes place on the following dates –
Wednesday 4th March
Wednesday 11th March
Wednesday 18th March
Wednesday 25th March
From 11am till 2pm
At 2 Ambassador Place, Stockport Road, Altrincham, WA15 8DB.
- Session 1 – Introduction session
- Session 2 – Causes of conflict
- Session 3 – Impact of conflict on communication
- Session 4 – Making and maintaining change.
Peer Support and DLA/PIP Support Sessions
Tuesday Peer Support Sessions – Partington
Now running in partnership with Trafford SEND Together.
Tuesdays during termtime – Just turn up, no need to book.
***There is no Peer Support Session on Tuesday 17th February, due to it being half term. Join us with Trafford SEND Together for the first Peer Support Session in Partington on Tuesday 24th February***
10am till 12pm at
West Family Hub, 106 Central Road, Partington, Manchester, M31 4FL
Peer Support Sessions offer a relaxed, welcoming opportunity to chat and connect with other parents and carers, and access peer support.
Thursday Peer Support Sessions – Altrincham
Thursdays during termtime. – Just turn up, no need to book.
***Altrincham Peer Support Sessions will resume on Thursday 5th March***
Peer Support Session.
10am till 12pm at
TESCO Altrincham Community room.
Come along for a catch up with the team and mentors, drinks and refreshments will be available.
DLA/PIP Support Sessions
DLA/PIP Peer Support Sessions are run in blocks each term. If you are interested in the summer term sessions you can now register your interest for them by clicking the button below.
On Thursday 26th February we will be joining Trafford SEND Together for their Parent Carer Forum Information Session being held at Trafford’s North Family Hub – 10am till 12pm.
PREVIOUS EVENTS – Autumn Term 2025
Children’s Slime Session
Facilitated by Creation Station
Come along and inspire your kids and enjoy safe, hassle-free gooey, gloopy, glorious slime fun.
Saturday 22nd November – 10am till 11am
£10 per child.
Festive Crochet
Following an extremely generous donation from TESCO and ASDA – we are looking for anyone who would be willing to crochet for us. We have a beginners session taking place on Wednesday 26th November and will be creating FESTIVE crochet treats for our Christmas parcels for vulnerable families. Any confident crocheters are welcome to come along to any of our peer support sessions and support the team to create ‘Sprouts’ for the local community, we would like to have a sufficient amount to offer to Summers Mission – whose mission statement is ‘No child left behind’
Wednesday 26th November – 10:00am till 1pm
Refreshments included.
Reducing Parental Conflict
Facilitated by Rachel Valentine from Trafford Collective. The session will look at the areas of conflict that parents face, and ways to support families to support one another, increasing positive communication and building collaborative relationships. The Advocating Together team will all be attending the session and we will be providing refreshments. (Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking).
Monday 24th Nov – 10:30am till 1:30pm