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01761 431388

A Friend For Parents in Crisis

Melissa Grady with her daughter Katie - Toby didn’t feel like being photographed. 

Face 2 Face is a new befriending service for parents of disabled children. It is a network of trained befrienders supporting parents who are in crisis, going through the trauma of having their child diagnosed or simply feel they would benefit from someone to talk to.

“The Carers’ Centre is training 12 befrienders all of whom care for a disabled child,” explained Carers’ Officer Jo Grobler. “These volunteers are experienced and can offer empathy, emotional support and reassurance to help other parents.”

Face 2 Face training lasts for 10 weeks, covers a wide spectrum of themes and thoroughly prepares volunteers for the sensitive role of befriending.

Parent-carer Melissa Grady is a single mum and training to become a befriender. She has two children, Toby, who is 11 and diagnosed with autism/Asperger syndrome, and 9-year-old Katie.

“Staff at nursery school picked up some issues when Toby was about 3 and within 6 months he had been diagnosed,” said Melissa. “I call the next 3 years my “lost years”. I think I was grieving and depressed and Toby was very difficult. It affected my relationship with Katie, whom I couldn’t give enough time to and I always felt so guilty.”

Toby couldn't cope at mainstream school and now attends Fosseway Special Needs School in Radstock. His behaviour is getting easier, he’s learning well and working hard.

“I can reason with Toby now,” explained Melissa. “His behaviour used to be so extreme when he was younger. Everything for Toby is magnified, whether he is happy or sad.

“Face 2 Face befriending is my way of giving something back. I’ve been there and understand how it feels to be the parent of a disabled child. If I can prevent just one person going through what I went through, then it will have been worth it.”