Every child has their own way to shine. Yet, children and young people with SEND face barriers to learning. Such challenges don’t stop at the school gates; they deeply shape everyday family life. For too many local families, SEND is an overwhelming and lonely journey. But your voice can help them find their way, navigate the hurdles, build bridges, and celebrate their child’s achievements.
As a SEND Parent Mentor, you’ll make the most of your lived experience of parenting a child with SEND. Backed by our training and ongoing support, you’ll help a local family find a bright future for their children.
The Role:
- You: Live in Central Bedfordshire, Bedford or Luton and have lived experience of parenting a child with SEND.
- Home-based: Support a local parent over the phone from the comfort of your own home.
- Flexible: A weekly phone call makes a real difference.
- Direct Impact: You’ll be matched with a Bedfordshire family asking for your help.
“The SEND Parent Mentor service came at just the right time for me. Over the six weeks, having someone to talk to who truly understood made such a difference. I was matched with Maria, who was absolutely fantastic—she really listened, offered thoughtful advice from lived experience, and created a space where I felt comfortable to be open and honest. There was no judgement, just genuine support. I came away from each call feeling heard, encouraged, and more motivated to keep going. It’s a brilliant service that I’m so grateful to have been part of.”
What You’ll Be Doing
There are many reasons local SEND families are asking for help. You’ll be matched with one of them and talk by phone once a week, supporting them by:
- Listening, understanding, and providing reassurance.
- Offering guidance on navigating the system, including neurodevelopmental services, CAMHS, paediatricians, and speech and language services.
- Pointing them to support groups and other support services, such as SENDIASS.
- Giving feedback to your coordinator, enabling us to offer more support and work to influence change where it matters most for SEND families.
“I absolutely love being a SEND volunteer, helping these families and seeing how they come on is amazing, knowing that I’ve been able to help someone means the world to me, helping these mums express their children’s abilities instead of hiding them is amazing and listening to a mum so happy.”
Why SEND Volunteering?
You can make a real difference –
- Helping to protect the mental and physical health of children, young people and parents.
- Giving parents the support they need to help children and young people with SEND thrive.
- Voicing the challenges families face to drive positive change and influence local SEND support.
- Using your own lived experiences and our training to empower families to problem-solve and advocate.
You will be supported –
- So your confidence grows. Every step of the way, you’ll be supported by your volunteer coordinator.
- So you have valuable skills. All our volunteers receive training. Many of our volunteers use the time with us in their CVs, improving their career prospects. This could include moving into fields such as SEND support or social care.
You will be part of something –
- Many local parents volunteer with our charity, and thousands do so across Home-Start nationally.
- Our SEND Parent Mentors team is a group of warm, welcoming, like-minded people from all walks of life.
- You’ll make new friends, receive regular one-to-one support and attend optional social events and training opportunities.
- If you have the empathy to listen and the desire to help families thrive, you belong here. Join the UK’s largest family support charity. Because childhood can’t wait.
“I have really enjoyed meeting these wonderful mothers and grandmothers who are trying to do the best for these children and battling to get the help and support they need to ensure that they shine and grow to be talented and unique people that they are destined to be. If I can be just someone to share their triumphs and struggles with then I couldn’t ask for more.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a home-based volunteer role mean?
Our SEND volunteering roles are designed to be home-based. This means you volunteer from your home, giving support by phone at pre-arranged times. The induction training is provided live online in small groups. There is often an in-person version, should you wish to attend instead. Social events also occur in person, and you are welcome to attend. In addition, various training events are offered online throughout the year.
Your coordinator will visit or meet you face-to-face at the start. Then she will talk with you regularly by phone to supervise, provide guidance, and support.
Do I need formal qualifications to become a SEND Parent Mentor?
You do not need formal qualifications for this role, but you do need the experience of raising a child/children with SEND. Your unique lived experience is valuable to others. There is no typical SEND Parent Mentor, as each comes from different walks of life and brings a variety of experiences and knowledge.
Our charity has been training volunteers to make an impact locally since 1984. It’s the combination of lived experience and training that makes us trusted by professionals in social care and the families we help. You’ll receive induction training covering a range of topics, including safeguarding. This takes place online (in-person sessions are optional) once a week for 10 weeks. It’s interesting, fun, and interactive in an informal, friendly and supportive environment.
A DBS will also be undertaken.
What is the time commitment for SEND volunteering?
We make SEND volunteering as flexible as possible to fit around your life.
You can arrange suitable times with your coordinator to make calls. All we ask is for our volunteers to be reliable for the benefit of the families they support. Typically, this is around an hour per week. However, we also know life can be messy. If you need to change a time, that’s fine; communication is what matters.
We really do understand the individual circumstances of volunteers. Many of our volunteers have caring responsibilities, and most take a break during the school holidays. We also understand that circumstances change. You can take a break from the role as life dictates. There is no ongoing commitment, and it’s up to you how long you stay volunteering. Everyone is different. We have some volunteers who stay for months, and others have been here for 18+ years.
Generally, our SEND Parent Mentors fit the role around their other commitments and still have plenty of spare time.
Will my volunteering expenses be covered?
For the SEND Parent Mentors role, there shouldn’t be any expenses. If an unforeseen circumstance arises, you will be reimbursed.
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