'We'd be so isolated without SEND Mumma's group'

Vikki said she has to battle the tiredness from sleepless nights to look after her family

Mothers of children with special needs in Northamptonshire say a group run by volunteers has made a huge difference to their lives.

SEND Mumma's is a support group that meets regularly in Northampton as well as in online sessions.

There is also a Facebook group with 600 members.

One mother described it as an "information highway network".

Shumi Plastow, one of the founders of the group, said it was an "information highway network" for mothers

SEND Mumma's was set up when a group started by a mother in Northampton got together with another one in Kettering.

SEND stands for special educational needs and disabilities.

Shumi Plastow, one of the founders, said: "It's all hard work, but we absolutely love doing it because we've connected with so many mums in particular; otherwise, we'd be quite isolated.

"It's like an information highway network."

The group tries to make its sessions as accessible as possible and provides online support for parents who cannot leave the house.

The group brings mothers together to discuss their experiences and help each other

At a breakfast meet-up this week, Vikki told the BBC her six-year-old son had "a whole shopping list of delights: autism, sensory modulation disorder and hypermobility".

As she also has a three-year-old daughter, there is "always somebody awake" during the night, and she finds herself "trying to battle the tiredness from that and then all the extra support he needs, so just a bit relentless really".

Katie said no question was a silly question at group meetings

Like Vikki, Katie finds the support group gives her a chance to chat with other mothers who understand what her life is like.

Katie has two children with additional needs and said: "The group has given me the confidence to go out and meet more like-minded people who can give me advice that isn't 'try this, try that' that other parents don't necessarily understand.

"No question with this group is a silly question; one of them has probably gone through it or is going through it.

"I would rather ask this group of amazing women how to deal with something than someone who either doesn't have children or has a neurotypical child - what works for them isn't going to work for my two."

Lauren says life as a SEND mother is challenging and there is no support apart from SEND Mumma's

Lauren has an eight-year-old child who is largely non-verbal and autistic.

She also volunteers for an autism information group called En-fold and said: "There is nothing out there in terms of support.

"Without [SEND Mumma's] people would be so isolated. It's really important that we get across just how challenging it is without groups like that."