Above: Children play a sensory game at Frimhurst Family House.

Families caring for multiple children with severe disabilities and neurodivergent needs (including Autism, ADHD, and Global Development Delay) often face overwhelming sensory and behavioural challenges. To best support them, our Family Support Team adapted our standard 4-day residential model into condensed 2-day interventions during the May half-term, tailoring the residential element to each family’s specific needs and capacity.

A 2-day/1-night stay can serve as a stepping stone for a new family to discover Frimhurst Family House without anxiety, balancing the needs of siblings when some have special educational needs and others do not. To combat isolation, these short breaks combine arts and crafts with outdoor sensory outings.

These activities encourage safe socialisation among children and bonding among parents. Our newly adapted model allows us to deliver crucial crisis intervention and respite without long disruptions to the daily routines that are particularly important in these situations.

‘Seeing my children happy, safe, and enjoying themselves!’

One mother whose family took part later said: “The sensory activities were a real highlight. Because of their autistic and ADHD needs, the water, sand, and bubble activities provided a safe and accepting environment where my kids could engage at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed.

“Having activities that met their sensory needs helped them stay calmer, more regulated, and better able to enjoy the experience. It reduced some of the challenges we often face in busy public settings and allowed them to participate more comfortably. […]

“One of the biggest positives was for my eldest son. With the extra support available, he was able to try experiences and activities in the Funfair Park that I would not normally be able to manage alone.

“Having additional adults around meant I could support him in a way that felt safe and manageable, while also knowing the other children were being looked after. It gave him the confidence to take part in more activities and gain experiences that he might otherwise have missed. […]

“Knowing there were other people available to help and support the children allowed me to relax more than I normally can. It provided much-needed time for my mental health and well-being and gave me the chance to recharge. Seeing my children happy, safe, and enjoying themselves without having to carry all the responsibility alone was incredibly valuable.

“Having experiences like this also helps build my confidence to take the children out more often. When support is available, I feel more comfortable accessing activities and days out that I might otherwise avoid because of the challenges involved. The impact goes far beyond the weekend itself. It improves well-being, reduces stress, builds confidence, and helps families feel supported. For us, the benefits to both the children and my own mental health were significant.”