Hi, my name is Claire.

I founded Coffee, Chat & Support CIC in June 2024 after seeing first-hand how isolating it can be to raise a neurodivergent child — even when you know the system.

I’m a mum of four.

My youngest is non-verbal autistic and needs a high level of care. My second youngest is autistic and has ADHD. Before becoming a parent, I worked in education for many years, including as an inclusion coordinator within an autism service. I had the experience, the training, and the professional knowledge — yet as a parent, I still felt completely alone.

That feeling of isolation is what led to Coffee, Chat & Support.

I wanted to create something I couldn’t find myself: a safe, welcoming place where parents and carers could sit down, be listened to, and get real, practical support — without judgement, long waits, or cost barriers.

Since launching, we have been supporting families across our community by offering:

• A weekly coffee morning

• A weekly SEND clinic

• A weekly Legal Clinic

• SEN Den stay-and-play sessions for children of all ages

All of our services are completely free.

We support families navigating diagnosis, school challenges, and the EHCP process — helping parents understand their rights and fight for the education their children deserve. Every child deserves access to an education that meets their needs, and no parent should have to battle the system alone.

Now, we have The Den.

The Den is our physical space — a calm, inclusive, community café and support hub. It allows us to do more than ever before. Families can now walk in, sit down, have a drink, and speak to someone face-to-face about SEND issues in a safe, understanding environment.

Our vision is to grow The Den into a daily SEND support clinic — a place where families can:

• Get help at any stage of diagnosis

• Receive guidance with EHCPs and school issues

• Access training and information

• Feel welcomed, understood, and supported

This fundraiser will help us keep The Den open, sustainable, and accessible — so no family is turned away and no support is placed behind a paywall.

If you can donate, share, or support us in any way, you are helping to build a space where families feel less alone — and where children with SEND are truly seen and supported.

Thank you for believing in what we’re building

— Claire