Choice Wellbeing Service CIC

24/10/2025

✨✨ We are off to the awards! ✨✨

We are so excited and privileged to have been selected as part of the final five of each nomination!

We will be attending the awards as a team, getting glammed up will be a lovely change… never know Dan may even shine up his head and wear a smile! 🤣

We really appreciate all our nominations and getting this far, it really is down to all of the team 👏🏻👏🏻

Thank you Inclusion North 🥰

Team CWS

💙

24/10/2025

Return of parent carer coffee mornings over at Grace House North East 👏🏻👏🏻

Parent Carer Support Coffee Mornings are back! 🧡📢
Grace House is thrilled to announce the return of our Parent Carer Support Coffee Mornings!🙌

These relaxed sessions will take place on the first Wednesday of every month (term-time) from 10am – 12pm, starting Wednesday 5th November.
Come along to meet other parents and family carers, share experiences, and enjoy a friendly chat over tea and coffee. 🍰
Occasionally, guest speakers will join for the first half hour, leaving plenty of time for open conversation and connection.

✨ No charge & no booking required! ✨

📧 For more information, contact:
LK@gracehouse.co.uk
VC@gracehouse.co.uk

📞 Or call 0191 435 2088 and ask for Lyn or Vicki.

🧡 Make time for yourself, you deserve it!

Masonic Charitable Foundation

23/10/2025

We had a fabulous morning at the SEND in South Tyneside network!

It is always great to hear whats going on in each area, catch up with the other organisations we work alongside, and put the world to rights when necessary!

If you are an organisation working within SEND, please get in touch with South Tyneside Parent Carer Forum and join Send in South Tyneside for your invite to the next one!

Check out more info over on their pages,

Team CWS 💙

22/10/2025

🍂🍂 Fall is here! 🍂🍂

Parent Carer craft session...

Are you a Gilmore Girls fan?
Are you ready to celebrate the colder nights with a cuppa and blanket?... Yea us too!

So why don’t you come and celebrate with us, with an afternoon of:

Chatting - *fast is an option,
paint a pre prepared canvas,
Snacking on biscuits galore,
and drinking as much coffee as you can handle!

Wholesome afternoon of peer support 🫶

When: 5th November
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Where: Rainbow Family Hub

https://www.choicewellbeingservice.org/event-details-registration/gilmore-girls-craft-afternoon

21/10/2025

After our lovely Summer book sessions, we've decided, why not do it all again?

We want to encourage children to speak about their disability and share their experiences of their own beautifully unique world!

We want to capture a wide range of needs, from neurodivergence to physical disabilities, and will be on hand to support in any way we can.

Whether your child is non-speaking or unable to write, we can scribe or support them in creating their very own book. We will also have an illustrator at one of the sessions to support them in telling their story!

All the books will be published, and go on display across Sunderland City Libraries!

📍Where?
Washington Library, Independence Square, Washington, NE38 7RZ

⏰ When?
Monday 27th October, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

If you're interested in attending and want more info, please email hayley@choicewellbeingservice.org

Huge thanks to the Washington Area Committee Councillors for supporting this through the Washington Holiday Activities Programme!

21/10/2025

It’s hidden disabilities week.

This encompasses everything from neurodivergence, chronic conditions, sensory, cognitive and mental health.

For us, the disability isn’t so invisible.

It’s the morning routine we need to follow to ensure our kids get to school.

It’s the uncertainty of what the future holds for our children.

It’s every time we watch our children get left out or behind.

It’s in the way we watch our children struggle, leaving us feeling helpless.

It’s in the battles we face daily, from fighting with the system to fighting with those around us who don’t understand.

It’s in the way we soothe our children after meltdowns but experience the joy of happy stims.

We’re here to support any parent carer, regardless of diagnosis, because we know that to us, these disabilities are not so hidden. They impact our lives, and our children’s, and we are there to be that helping hand that supports you whenever you need it.

Team CWS 🌈

20/10/2025

We’ll be here tomorrow with our friends over at The Toby Henderson Trust at The Autism Hub!

Come and join us, and all of the other amazing services and practitioners that will be there too!

Calling all South Tyneside families! Our multi-agency event at the Autism Hub is taking place tomorrow! Please share! 📣

Would you like the opportunity to have a chance to meet multiple different services ‘in person’ and in one place?

If so then come along to our multi-agency drop in event:
When: Tuesday 21st October 2025
Where: Autism Hub, Gordon St, South Shields.
Time: 10am – 12pm

Take a look at our virtual tour of the Autism Hub ahead of our event👉🏼https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=ZzqkR4zKnwy&back=1.

Here is a list of organisations that are joining us:

⭐South Tyneside Parent Carer Forum
⭐Connected Caring
⭐South Tyneside Young Carers
⭐SEND Local Offer South Tyneside
⭐Key Community
⭐WAVES
⭐South Tyneside Family Hubs
⭐South Tyneside SENDIASS
⭐The Kayaks Community
⭐Choice Wellbeing Service CIC
⭐Waythrough
⭐South Tyneside Occupational Therapist from Primary Care Network

17/10/2025

Upcoming after the half term holiday!

We have lot's going on!

☕ Peer support group is back!
Every Tuesday 10am - 11.30am
Chat, cuppas, guidance and info

🧸Choice Play Space!
Every Wednesday 10am - 11.30am
SEND specific play for children 0-4 within the place space here at Rainbow Family hub, fun options every week, but also time for you to get some advice, guidance, and meet others.

🎃 Halloween Craft Session for parent carers
Thursday 23rd October 12pm - 2pm
Building Blocks Day Centre
Create your own pumpkin!

We also have more coming up and to be announced soon!!

Keep an eye out on our socials,

Team cws 👻

16/10/2025

📣📣 We are hiring! 📣📣

We are looking for a fellow parent carer to join our team as a holistic wellbeing practitioner. Your role will be to help others navigate SEND pathways and to help them explore wants and needs for their family. This role is kindly funded by the National Lottery community fund.

Job role:
Support individuals navigating SEND by offering information, guidance, and a listening ear.

Hours:
16 hours per week - days to be discussed

TERM TIME ONLY

Salary:
£15 per hour

Where:
Rainbow Family Hub,
Washington,
NE3783AE

If you are interested in this role, please send an email of interest to tracey@choicewellbeingservice.org where the next steps will be explained 😊

14/10/2025

📣 DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US TOMORROW 📣

We have our biggest launch event yet at the Metro Centre Community Hub from 9:30am - 2pm.

Come and meet us and the Gateshead Parent Carer Forum, alongside lots of other practitioners.

Pick up your copy of the new Gateshead Rainbow Guide too!

See you all soon!

Team CWS 🌈

RAINBOW GUIDE LAUNCH!

We are delighted that the new Gateshead Rainbow Guide for parents of SEND children is out now, produced by Choice Wellbeing Service CIC and created by parent carers, for parent carers it is designed to empower parents with trusted information and support. This guide covers everything from understanding diagnoses to accessing support in education, health, and beyond.

You can download a copy now from the Choice Wellbeing Service website. Or you can pop along to one of their launch events in October to pick up a printed copy.

📘 View and share the guide: https://www.choicewellbeingservice.org/gateshead

Tuesday 7th October, 9.30am to 12 - Felling Family Hub

Wednesday 15th October, 9.30am to 2pm - Metrocentre Community Hub

11/10/2025

Even on holiday - the boss doesn’t rest 🤣🤣

10/10/2025

It takes immense strength to be a parent carer, but you don't have to navigate the journey alone.

This World Mental Health Day is a reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

📣 What helps you cope? Share your best mental health tip or resource in the comments to help another parent carer today!

Need support right now? Please reach out to us at www.choicewellbeingservice.org/services

A listening ear sometimes can make all the difference.