A guest post from Michelle PEGiS:
A Stronger Community Together with SEND Community Lounges
Parent Engagement Group in Stoke (PEGiS) is a support group and forum operating within the parent carer forum, with a thriving membership of over 4,100 active members. Often described as a flourishing community, PEGiS strives to ensure that no one is left behind. We welcome anyone in need, remaining strong through difficult times and versatile enough to plug emerging needs and gaps — always staying parent-led at our core.
From the beginning, our dream has been to create a coordinated approach: a way for everyone to work together where lack of attendance does not lead to blame, but to understanding.
Around 6 months ago, we visited a community lounge hoping to find support and inclusion. Unfortunately, our experience left us feeling excluded and isolated. Not from the professionals but sadly the community itself. That day, we made a decision — we would create our own space. One that truly lived up to the values of inclusion and community. That’s how the SEND Community Lounge was born.
Having ADHD, there was no time to waste — we emailed the directors the same day. They fully embraced our vision. We knew that a vision is just a dream until everyone is invested. Thankfully, getting others on board was easy because the need was so clear.
The purpose of the Community Lounge is simple but powerful: One system, one room, one time — bringing together parents, carers, and professionals across education, health, social care, and voluntary services to support each other.
We’ve worked tirelessly to build trusted relationships across the system, always reminding professionals that the system exists to serve families, not the other way around.
We are proud to say that all sectors came on board — education, health, social care, and voluntary services — united in the belief that no family should become collateral damage as systems change.
To date, we have hosted three Community Lounges, each one a huge success. Each lounge has seen around 15 different services working together under one roof, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time. On average, 30 parents attend each lounge, receiving personalised advice tailored to their families’ needs.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive — and we couldn’t be prouder.
“Fantastic idea. Had some useful information from the professionals. The school nurse team have gone out of their way to help my daughter.”
“I thought it was a brilliant idea. Was a bit daunting at first (my anxiety doesn’t help) but everyone is so friendly. I spoke to most people there and have got follow up help from it”
“It’s a great idea, where names become faces to professionals. Professionals get to hear the reality of being a SEND parent. It can be hard for both parties, but it’s can be effective, and that’s what is needed. “
“Lee was brilliant with Wilf. Calm and caring and listened to him every time he interrupted our conversation.”
“I came to the lounge and cried I cried most of the time not because it was bad but because I have been fighting the system for my daughter for years and got no where. Each table had a different professional ready to help. No judgement and barriers were set aside raw conversations happened. They also rang me up the day after to follow up. I returned to the next one ready to thank them all. When I walked in the first time I didn’t realise the weight I was carrying until a week later when I felt like I could breathe. THANK YOU”
Together, we are building a system where families are heard, supported, and empowered and I know the SEND community lounge is a vital part of this. It’s only working together can we slowly improve the system for all.
