Walford Wellbeing

01/12/2025

Derby Family Hubs recently held sessions on sensory processing and sleep, for parents/carers of children who are/may be neurodivergent.

Following your feedback, they've made the recording from the most recent session available online, accessible until 10th December. Please follow the link to listen: https://tinyurl.com/4aw95crz

The next autism and sleep session will take place:

This Friday, 5th December
12.30-3pm
Online

Please contact Mackworth/Morley Family Hub on 01332 208175 to register your interest, and a link will be sent to you. All who register will also be sent a recording of the session which can be viewed for up to 30 days afterwards, along with all related materials/slides, so that even if you can't attend the online session on the day, you'll be sent the recording and materials.

30/11/2025

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!

Christmas isn’t always calm and twinkly for neurodivergent families… sometimes it’s loud, unpredictable and completely exhausting! 🎄💫

That’s why we’ve put together a few gentle reminders to help make things a little easier this festive season 💛

✨ Plan ahead (and involve your child!)
✨ Avoid surprises - they’re not always magical
✨ Work together with family and friends
✨ Pick your battles (a beige buffet can be a beautiful thing)
✨ Identify triggers and adapt where possible

Remember, Christmas doesn’t have to look “traditional” to be meaningful.
If your version is calm, quiet and on your child’s terms - that’s absolutely perfect. 🌟

💬 What’s your top tip for surviving (or even enjoying!) Christmas as a neurodivergent family? Share it below 👇

29/11/2025

Suppressing stims drastically hinders a Neurodiverse person's ability to regulate. Notice the more I stimmed mindlessly the more I yawned?

And why is that significant? Yawning is a huge green flag of a nervous system beginning to regulate!

A dysregulated nervous system is in acrive survival mode or 'fight, flight, freeze, fawn', when this occurs the mind and body is cut off from one another and feelings of being tired, hungry or needing the toilet isnt accessible.

The last thing you need to happen when your running away from a hungry lion is the sensation to need a wee! Am I right?!

So when a person whose dysregulated starts to yawn it means they are beginning to relax and the mind and body are starting to connect once more.

I used to live in constant dysregulation and have worked hard on decreasing how long it takes me to regulate. Going from weeks, to days, hours and now 10 minutes.

While I made this video, I even felt my stomach rumble and began to feel cold. More signs my mind is listening to the sensations and needs of my body!

The biggest flex I did for my healing journey is learn about the nervous system and the role stimming plays as someone who is AuDHD.

P.s I'm also listening to bilateral music! Seriously look it up

29/11/2025

💛 credit:

26/11/2025

The holidays can be riddled with toxic positivity, high masking expectations, stress and exhaustion. Boundaries are not exempt because "its Christmas" if anything loved ones should be more compassionate and acaccommodating. Give the gift of gentleness and kindness.

It is impossible to ignore that many people will be observing Thanksgiving this year in a difficult family environment. Survivors of sexual violence are particularly vulnerable, especially with everything going on in our world right now.

No one should have to endure these situations, but we also understand that they are extremely nuanced, and there are many reasons people may still attend these gatherings even though they don't really want to. Here are a few tips to consider if you are anxious about an upcoming event.

While the holidays are about demonstrating our appreciation for others, it is crucial that we continue to prioritize our needs and not sacrifice our well-being to please others. Whether it's a white lie, planning a second celebration, or skipping the event completely, take this post as permission to do what feels best this Thanksgiving.

26/11/2025

Laughter reduces stress hormones, fun regulates the nervous system, games create structure where conversation can flow with less expectation, group activities creates and strengthens connection.

In a world where science backs up the benefits and necessity for play, why don't we prioritise it for ourselves at home, in education or even at work.

Say yes to blankets, pillows, hot water bottles and a good ol game like Uno more often.

19/11/2025

A reminder that Family Hub Derby are hosting their next sleep workshop next week. Aimed at parents/carers of 0-19 year olds who are, or who may be, neurodivergent, these sessions look into the specific challenges these children face around sleep. Next week's session is:

Sensory Processing and Sleep
Wednesday 12 November
6-8pm
Online
Call 01332 208175 to request the link.

All workshops are delivered by a specialist sleep practitioner.

19/11/2025

The winter HAF system will be going live this evening, from 7pm. Parents/carers of eligible children who receive free school meals will receive an email from Holiday Activities, including their codes and a link to the booking system, where they can book free activities during the winter holidays.

We have an exciting mixture of providers offering sports, games, art & crafts, dance/drama, coding, Dungeons & Dragons and much more, including provision for children with additional needs.

We also have a new offer for families this winter, including: tickets for the pantomime (Dick Whittington); and a show (Merry Elwin); ice-skating; and Santa’s Grotto - all offered through Derby Live. There are also tickets for Oliver Twist, and for The Tortoise & The Hare offered through Derby Theatre.

As always, everything is subject to availability, so keep an eye on your inbox to book as soon as you receive your codes!

19/11/2025

For families who receive free school meals to ensure their young people get access to fun activities and food during the holidays!

Calling families who receive free school meals!
Roll With Us is open to take bookings for winter provisions from today!

17/11/2025

Derby SEND Voice is inviting parent carers, young people, and professionals to share their views on the Derby City Local Offer. Your feedback is vital in helping shape its future and ensuring families can access the services and support they need.

If you haven’t used the Local Offer before, we encourage you to give it a try — then come back and complete our short survey. Every opinion matters, and together we can make a real difference for SEND families in Derby. 💜 Please follow this link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvmjiSt665AKwfN-pRkTBN-9irIJkX8zf7UMPkd9kPs6F3JQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Any shares would be fantastic!! Going forward, if you would like to join a focus group in the future to discuss the local offer, please do reach out.

17/11/2025

Families are invited to explore Transition 2 in its new home at Friar Gate Studios. Come along to discover more about the inspiring work they do and how they support learners.

Transition 2 provides education and opportunities for SEND learners aged 18 and over, helping them thrive in adulthood.

17/11/2025