Our Family Support Service

How we help families

We want to make sure that as a family you feel supported and empowered to help your child in the best way possible. When you come to the centre with your child you will be offered an appointment to meet with our Family Support Coordinator, Glenys Evans. Glenys will get to know you and your child and find out what sort of support you may need. Some of the issues you may want to talk about include:

• What cerebral palsy is
• How cerebral palsy can affect your child
• Emotional issues such as coping with your child’s disability, stress and your relationship
• Your child’s sleep and yours
• Your child’s behaviour
• Transitioning to the nursery, primary school, high school or independent living
• Practical issues such as home and vehicle adaptions, equipment and respite
• Financial issues such as benefit entitlements, money advice, and Wills

First point of contact

If you have concerns about your baby or young child, Glenys is our first point of contact for you. You may have experienced a traumatic birth or your child may have recently been given a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and you are unsure what this means. She is also there if you have an older child and just want to discuss your concerns with another parent who has experienced bringing up a child with cerebral palsy.

Glenys is a founder parent of Cerebral Palsy Cymru (formerly Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales and Bobath Cymru) and has been involved with the charity since 1989. She has undertaken numerous roles including secretary to the steering committee, trustee, and volunteer. She eventually joined the staff team in 1998 and has been helping our families ever since. Glenys’ son Thomas (now an adult in his 30’s) has cerebral palsy which means she has a wealth of knowledge and understanding to share with families who attend our centre. Glenys completed a general counselling course in 2004 and is first aid trained.

Meet Natasha...

Natasha is one of the many parents who have received help and support from our Family Support Service that we offer at Cerebral Palsy Cymru. In this video, Natasha shares with us her experience of the service, and how she has benefited from the help that Glenys, our Family Support Coordinator, provides through her family support sessions, coffee mornings, and phone calls and emails.

Family coffee mornings

Glenys organises a monthly coffee morning where you can come and meet other families. It can feel quite isolating if you don’t know anyone else who has a child with cerebral palsy, so meeting others in a similar situation can be helpful. The coffee mornings take place at the centre on the first Wednesday of every month from 10am-12pm and all family members are welcome.

You may also want to know more about our playgroup, Better Start Together, for children and families who attend our early intervention service, Better Start, Better Future.

Contact us

If you have any questions about cerebral palsy and your child please give Glenys a call on 02920 522600 or email glenyse@cerebralpalsycymru.org. Or you can make a referral online to our early intervention service, Better Start, Better Future if your child is under the age of 2.