Would anyone be interested in a meet?

[thederkinsdame]

I've read several posts recently where people have spoken about the isolation and loneliness of parenting child/ren with SEN and feeling like you don't belong. Would anyone be interested in setting up some regional groups for adults to meet up, say once a month, for a coffee, or a drink and a chat with parents in the same boat? It would be a good way of letting off steam and sharing tips and knowledge and having a bloody good moan if need be!

I'm a bit protective about what I post on here in terms of personal info that could identify me - e.g. where I live, but would be happy to do through TTR if anyone else is keen.

From next year I will be spending a day or so awek on the Devon /Dorset border somaybe we can get some meet ups arranged then?

Oh forgot to say he also has global developmental delay apparently too.

contact a family is a national charity but split into local groups.

They organise coffee mornings and subsidised days out, plus an introduction service to local families with children with disabilities. Ours runs a specialised library too, really handy.

www.cafamily.org.uk/index.php?section=861

I'm in Berkshire

I'm in West Lancashire if there's anyone else around here.

I'm in Merseyside.

There's 28 of us now :-)

I'm in East Sussex

bumping for the weekend :-)

I'm in Cheshire,looks like I'm on my own

If a London meet is arranged could I suggest here as a perfect place?

www.coramsfields.org/facilities.php

If anyone is in the south west - Dorset/Wilts/Hants borders (I'm in Salisbury) - and wants to meet up, feel free to CAT me

thederkinsdame - well done for starting the thread. Great idea!

Suggestion for organising things...

I have a list of who's who in each area. How about if I do a list by region and post who lives where i.e. London, South East, North West/North East, Midlands etc etc so people can contact each other and arrange to meet in regional groups? Then it is up to one of you in each region to organise a venue, date and time? Does that sound OK?

+++ disclaimer - my geography is a bit ropey, so if I put anyone in the wrong area, please feel free to let me know and I'll change!+++

eslay - Never fear, I think there are other mums in your region. :-)

Thedevilwearsprimark - That looks lovely! I might suggest that to DH for a day out!

Sounds a good idea to me.

Yep that's a good idea. Thank you for doing this

CaptainPlump - can you CAT me? I've made contact with the other folk in our area and am trying to arrange a get together.

derkinsdame, whereabouts in scotland do you visit? i just noticed the name that comes up with your yahoo account is the same as my sons grandfather and is actually glitteryboys middle and last name...wouldnt it be bizarre if we were somehow related!!

Glittery - east of Glasgow. Yes, that would be really weird! Sorry - am a bit cagey about posting personal info on here... ;-)

yeah thought so thats why i didnt mention names! oooh im east of glasgow too, feel free to out yourself on TTR if you like!

why did someone add me?

Sorry, 2shoes, thought you wanted to be? Will delete. :-)

looks like i'll be meeting up with myself

OK, here's a draft list of regions with MNetters. Bear in mind that some crossover - e.g. people in N London may be closer to some in the region I've called 'East' Similarly those in S. London with South. I've also only listed counties where we have MNetters, so it's easier to find people in your area.

At the moment there is only one group in the North. If we get more people we can maybe make a NW and NE group.

Are there any more MNetters interested? Particularly in Ireland and N & S Scotland, and N Wales?

LONDON (N and S)
fluffypumpkins
starryeyed
TheDevilwearsPrimark
badkitty
PheasantPlucker
laumiere
overtheb ar
mamabell
chopstheduck

South (Hampshire & Sussex)
thederkinsdame
barmymummy
captainplump
mysonben

South west & S Wales (Wiltshire, Dorset, Avon, S Wales)
DEBS40
Marne
jasdox
jo5677
Peachy

East(Suffolk, Beds and Herts)

jackny
chuckeyegg
StarlightMcKenzie
anonandilikeit

North (Tyne & Wear, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Merseyside)

eslay
totalchaos
tipsycat
trace2
Devientenigma

S. Scotland
Glittery
thederkinsdame (visits!)

Northern Ireland
mumofthreemonkeys

Thanks and enjoy meeting up!

TDD