Southampton Portage Service

Sharing for Southampton Parent Carer Forum

☀️ We need your help! ☀️

We’re putting together a list of free or low-cost activities for families across Southampton this summer holidays. Ideally SEND friendly.

Do you know of any great local activities, events or places to visit? Pop your suggestions in the comments below 👇

Let’s help families find fun, affordable things to do this summer.

Sharing for National Portage Association - NPA

🌟Learning Disability Week - 15-21 June 2026 🌟

This year’s theme, “Do You See Me?”, is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, valued, and included.

At the National Portage Association, we are proud to support young children with additional needs and disabilities, along with their families, helping them to develop confidence, communication, independence, and a love of learning through play. Every day, we see the incredible strengths, achievements, and potential of the children and families that receive Portage. Learning Disability Week is an opportunity to celebrate their unique journeys and together we can ensure that children with learning disabilities are recognised for who they are, what they can achieve, and the valuable contributions they make to our communities.💙

Sharing for little miracles charity

✈️ Heading off on a family holiday this summer?

Travelling with a child who has additional medical needs can take a little extra planning, but with the right preparation, it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family!

We've put together a helpful blog full of practical tips on everything from medications and equipment to airport support, travel insurance and planning ahead, to help families feel more confident when travelling abroad.

Click here to read the blog: https://www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk/gethelp/advice-blogs/flying-and-travelling-abroad-with-a-medically-complex-child

Know a parent or carer who might find this useful? Feel free to tag them below or share this post!

💙 Little Miracles Charity supports families of children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions.

Sharing for family hub Southampton

Chatters Matters - every Wednesday afternoon, 1-2.30pm at Cutbush Best Start Family Hub

Join us for a friendly, drop-in session designed for families with children aged 0–5 years.
You’ll also have the opportunity to speak with a Speech and Language Therapist, who will be available for short 20-minute consultations if you have any concerns about your child’s communication.

Please note: therapists can see the first 6 families per session. This is on a first come first serve basis.

Sharing for Southampton parents carer

Join us THIS Wednesday 17th June for a SEND Get Together with Portage Early Years Specialist Team at Jumpin' Jaxx 10am-12pm. No need to book, just turn up! Children welcome!

https://fb.me/e/4AbcZGfXP

Sharing for Autism Hampshire

☕ ADHD and Autism Community Hub – Southampton Drop-In Sessions ☕

Would you like to learn more about our new ADHD and Autism Community Hub, ask questions, or simply come along for a chat?

We're hosting two informal drop-in sessions at our Southampton Hub, where you can meet the team, find out more about the service, and connect with others in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

📍 Southampton Hub at Solent Mind
28 The Avenue, Southampton, SO17 1XN

🗓 Monday 15 June | ⏰ 3pm–5pm
🗓 Thursday 18 June | ⏰ 12pm–2pm

These sessions are open to all adults (18+), including autistic people, people with ADHD, family members, carers, professionals and members of the public.

No need to book – just drop in and say hello. We’d love to meet you. 💜

Sharing for Southampton Parent Carer Forum

☀️ SUMMER SURVIVAL ☀️ TOMORROW
Helping you and your child feel more confident about managing the summer holiday.

Southampton Parent Carer Forum is inviting parent carers to join us for a relaxed and supportive summer event in partnership with the Neurodiversity Multidisciplinary Team, Southampton City Council and local services.

This free event will include:
✅ A transition workshop with the ND Team
✅ Ideas and strategies to support your child or young person with changes over the summer
✅ Advice around transitions to a new class, year group or school
✅ Opportunities to meet local activity providers
✅ Friendly advice and guidance from the SEND Team, School Transport and ND Team
✅ Time to ask questions in a relaxed and informal setting

📅 Tuesday 2nd June
🕙 10am–12pm Workshop
☕ 11am–2pm Chatting to providers
📍 Harbour Lights Picture House, Maritime Walk, Southampton SO14 3TL

We know summer holidays and transitions can bring a mix of excitement, anxiety and uncertainty for SEND families. We hope this event will help families feel more prepared, supported and connected ahead of the summer break.

Please feel free to share with families and professionals who may benefit

Sharing for Navigating SEND Together

❌ Wait for signs of readiness
✅ Change the approach to toilet training

Waiting for your neurodivergent child to be ‘ready’ may not work for them, so let’s change the approach instead of waiting for readiness!

It’s not behaviour and it’s not stubbornness.

Your child may not understand their body signals yet.

👆 That’s why typical toilet training advice fails neurodivergent children.

Comment TOILET to sign up to my free 4 day toilet training kickstart challenge.

Sharing for family hub Southampton

Sessions in Best Start Honeysuckle Family Hub every Wednesday…!
9:30-11:30am - Chatter Matters - a speech and Language play session with a therapist available if you have any concerns about your child's speech.
1.00-2.30pm - Support, Play and Learn Together is an open access play session with activities indoors and outdoors along with a book and toy library. Come along to Honeysuckle Family Hub, Honeysuckle Road, SO16 3BZ