Sunshine Support

07/05/2026

We have such a special episode of Sip of Sunshine this month!

Liz, The Untypical OT, speaks to Chrissa about parental burnout and SO MUCH MORE!

Watch for free on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/SxPmmSqS1kI?si=lozAPH4ecu4sZiQM

Parental burnout is something many families experience, but rarely talk about.In this episode of Sip of Sunshine, we’re joined by Liz from The Untypical OT t...

07/05/2026

Sometimes anxiety doesn’t show up loudly.

Sometimes it looks like a child who has quietly stopped believing in themselves.

Not wanting to go out.
Struggling to make friends.
Feeling like they’re “not good enough”.

And as a parent… that can be really hard to watch.

Because you know who they are.
You know what they’re capable of.
But anxiety is getting in the way.

This isn’t something they’ll just “grow out of”. But when we understand what’s going on, we can support them in a way that really helps.

📖 Read more and book here:
https://fb.me/e/8GUuVrLeA

07/05/2026

When your child won’t go to school, everything becomes urgent.

Professionals talk about attendance, attendance targets and sometimes even FINES.

But at home you’re seeing anxiety,distress and a child who isn’t coping.

Yet, suddenly you’re expected to understand:
• school avoidance
• anxiety
• neurodivergence
• what school should be doing

All at once - and this is where so many parents feel completely lost.

Not because they’re not trying, but because no one has ever explained how this actually works.

Inside the Sunshine Academy, we break this down properly: School avoidance, EBSA, PDA, demand avoidance - all of it... Step by step. In your own time.

👉 Join here: www.sunshine-support.org/academy

06/05/2026

If you’re already doing SEND advocacy or consultancy work, you’ll know…

❤️It’s not just about the knowledge.
❤️It’s not just about the law.

💔It’s the weight of the decisions.
💔The complexity of the cases.
💔The families who are relying on you to get it right.

And when you’re doing that on your own… it can feel a lot. 💔

We speak to so many brilliant professionals who are working independently - navigating everything solo, double-checking themselves, and carrying huge responsibility without that space to sense-check or share the load.

That’s exactly why we’ve built things differently at Sunshine Support.

Our consultants don’t work in isolation. We share knowledge. We support each other. We bring different specialisms to the table. There’s no gatekeeping - just a team that genuinely has your back.

Because when you’re supported, your work is stronger. And the families we support deserve that.

If this is resonating… it might be time to take a look. Come join us!

👉 www.sunshine-support.org/recruitment

06/05/2026

If you’ve ever watched Paddington… you’ll know it’s not really about a bear.

It’s about finding somewhere you belong.
Somewhere you’re welcomed in, just as you are.
Somewhere people look after you, without needing an explanation.

That’s exactly what this is.

Our Cuppa & Chat isn’t a service.
It’s not clinical.
It’s not something you have to prepare for.

It’s a space where you can walk in, sit down, and feel…
“okay… I’m alright here.”

Where people understand.
Where you don’t have to justify anything.
Where you’re met with warmth, not judgement.

☕ Every other Friday
🕙 10am–12pm
📍 Sunshine Hub, Derby
💸 Completely free

👉 Book your space here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

If you’re on Instagram, comment CUPPA and we’ll send you the link 💛

05/05/2026

OH DEAR, OH DEAR, OH DEAR!!

We’re hearing this more and more. And it’s simply not true.

The law has not changed. We are still in a consultation period. EHCPs absolutely still exist, and children in mainstream settings are still entitled to them where needed.

We understand where this is coming from. There’s uncertainty, pressure, and a lot of noise around the SEND system right now.

But when misinformation like this is shared, it has a real impact on families trying to access support.

This isn’t about blaming professionals. It’s about making sure we’re all working from the same, accurate understanding.

Because when myths spread, children miss out.

💬 What have you heard this week that made you stop and think?

05/05/2026

“I didn’t know what I didn’t know…” 💔

That was the hardest part of my SEND journey. Not the meetings. Not the paperwork.

➡️It was the lack of clarity.
➡️The language I didn’t understand.
➡️The rights I didn’t know I had.
➡️The questions I didn’t realise I was allowed to ask.

So I went into meetings frustrated, overwhelmed… and came out feeling like I’d missed something important.

And the truth is - I probably had.

That’s exactly why we created the 💛

A place where you can finally:
✨ Understand the system
✨ Learn your rights
✨ Build confidence before those meetings
✨ Access SEND experts, on demand, 24/7
✨ Feel part of a community that truly gets it

Everything I wish I had at the beginning… and throughout my journey.

👉 Join the Sunshine Academy here:
www.sunshine-support.org/academy

📲 On Instagram? Comment “ACADEMY” and we’ll send the link straight to your inbox.

You’re in the driving seat now.

05/05/2026

💛 Chrissa was live talking about processing your child’s diagnosis, including ADHD, autism and neurodivergence, and why a diagnosis can bring such a huge mix of emotions for parents and carers.

The livestream explored late diagnosis, identity, masking, anxiety, overwhelm, parenting neurodivergent children and why you are allowed to slow down and process things in your own time.

💛 Links mentioned in the livestream:

☕ Cuppa&Chat
https://www.sunshine-support.org

🌿 Behaviour That Challenges Webinar
https://www.sunshine-support.org

🧠 Anxiety Webinar
https://www.sunshine-support.org

🌈 Supporting Neurodivergence Summit
https://www.sunshine-support.org

05/05/2026

“Bridget please stop feeding the media with this dreadful narrative!”

Chrissa makes a very solid point this morning! What are your views on Bridget’s latest media quote?

05/05/2026

If your child is refusing school, melting down, or shutting down… this might resonate.

Anxiety doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.

It can show up in behaviour, in physical symptoms, in avoidance… and often gets misunderstood.

And when it’s misunderstood, children are pushed when they actually need support.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.

We’re talking about this properly in our Anxiety webinar with Nikki from Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health Service… helping you understand what’s really going on and what actually helps.

🎟 Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1967611038583

(If you're on instagram the link to our webinars is in our bio and stories/highlights)

05/05/2026

Watching your child struggle with anxiety and seeing it take hold of the things they used to love, does it leave you quietly wondering, “Is this just how life is going to be now?”?

That thought can feel really heavy.

Because as a parent, you want to fix it.
You want to make it better.
You want them to feel safe, confident, and able to enjoy their life again.

But anxiety doesn’t work like that.

It isn’t about pushing through.
It isn’t about trying harder.

It’s a nervous system that feels unsafe… even when everything around them looks okay.

And the good news?
When we understand it properly, there are ways to help.

That’s exactly what we’re going to be exploring in our upcoming webinar with Nikki from Bridge the Gap. Giving you a clearer understanding of what’s happening, and what actually supports your child in those moments.

If this resonates, you’re not alone in this… and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

🎟 Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1967611038583