A GROUP for parents or carers of children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) has been set up in Musselburgh.
Connections Musselburgh is offering parents and carers in the local area the chance to go along to the Fisherrow Centre on South Street to enjoy optional craft and mindfulness activities or simply a chat and cuppa, with tea, coffee and juice supplied.
“We started it last winter but have been finding our feet and trying to find a day and venue that was cost effective and that people could make,” said Evelyn Wallace, who started the group with support from Michelle Brown.
She said that people could talk about issues or positives, not talk or relax with mindfulness and craft activities.
Evelyn said: "We are trying out the mindfulness and craft side of things to see if people like it, so it will be quite basic to begin with.
"I will have colouring and card-making for some relaxing, easy-to-do craft and some mindfulness creative activities that help you to actually practise mindfulness, like looking at a picture and really focusing on it and thinking about different elements of it."
The group’s next meeting is at the Fisherrow Centre on Friday, August 21, at 6pm. People can contact the Connections Facebook page if they want to find out more before the meeting or email connectionsmuss@yahoo.com
The group is open to anyone who has care of a child or young person with any kind of ASN, with no diagnosis necessary.
This group is in addition to the regular meetings Connections also holds at Musselburgh Library, featuring a range of guest speakers.
The wider community groups grew from a group which was set up by parents at Musselburgh Burgh Primary School, including Michelle.
Evelyn said: “The library group stemmed from the idea that not everyone would be able to make a morning session and that quarterly information sessions to get information to people and for people to meet each other would be beneficial.”
The next meeting at the library is on September 21 at 5.45pm for a hour, when Bex Chad, from Salveson Mindroom, will be welcomed as guest speaker.
Evelyn said: “We feel these groups are important as they allow people to come together to talk to people who are experiencing a similar thing without any judgement.
"Equally, they can form a safe space just to listen or have an hour to yourself. We feel it is important to our mental health and often opens up friendships and wider support networks.”
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