South West CANN for Parent/Carers

31/07/2026

🐒 Gympanzees Summer Pop Up 2026! 🐒

Looking for fully inclusive exercise, play, and sensory sessions this summer? Gympanzees are back with their fantastic Summer Pop Up, designed specifically for disabled children, young people, and their families.

✨ Details:

When: 5th – 23rd August 2026

Where: Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, Bristol, BS4 1BX

What: Inclusive play, active exercise, and sensory fun in a supportive environment!

🎟️ Book your sessions here: https://www.vagaro.com/gympanzees

For more info about the pop-up, you can also head to gympanzees.org/popup

30/07/2026

🚶‍♂️🌳 JOIN A WALK & TALK THIS SUMMER & AUTUMN! 🌳🚶‍♀️

Looking to get outdoors, take a break from your caring role, and connect with others who understand? Carers Support Bristol and South Gloucestershire Centre (serving Bristol and South Gloucestershire) is running a series of wonderful Walk & Talk groups over the coming months!

Whether you want a lively chat or just a friendly change of scenery, everyone is warmly welcomed in a relaxed, supportive setting. 💚

Upcoming Walk & Talk Groups:

👥 For Chinese Carers (Bradley Stoke)

📍 Bradley Stoke

🗓️ Mondays: 20 & 27 July, 3, 10, 17 & 24 August 2026

⏰ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

🗣️ Cantonese and Mandarin interpreters available.

🌿 For Carers & Dependants (Charfield)

📍 Charfield (In partnership with The Keepers)

🗓️ Wednesdays: 22 & 29 July, 5, 12, 19 & 26 August 2026

⏰ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

🧠 For Carers Looking After Someone with Parkinson’s (Hanham)

📍 Hanham (In partnership with Parkinson's UK)

🗓️ Mondays: 14, 21 & 28 September, 5, 12 & 19 October 2026

⏰ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

🎒 Young Adult Carers Walk & Talk (Ages 18–25)

Being a young adult carer can sometimes feel isolating, but you aren't alone! Take time out for yourself, meet peers, and enjoy some fresh air with a fresh approach.

📲 More Info & Booking Details:
Find out full details and book your spot via the link below:
https://www.carersbsg.org.uk/our-support-services/walk-and-talk

24/07/2026

📣 Opportunity for Parents to Shape New Research! 🧠👶✨

We’ve been approached by Anna Hollis, an Advanced Neonatal Physiotherapist working in collaboration with the University of Leeds, and she needs your help.

They are developing a national research bid called the MOTION trial. It is looking at whether early movement initiation (using powered baby walkers) can help support cognitive development—like concentration, learning, perception, and memory—for infants with an increased risk of neurodisability.

Before they launch, they want to make sure their written summary and wording are completely right for families. They want to know:
👉 How can they make it clearer?
👉 What does it make parents think and feel?
👉 What works well, and what jars?

Can you spare a few minutes to give some feedback? 💬
There is absolutely no pressure. You can simply look over their summary and share a few thoughts via email, or have a short, friendly phone chat with Anna if you prefer.

If you are able and willing to take a look and help shape this vital research, please contact Anna Hollis directly:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone/Mobile: 07785655605

Thank you to our amazing community for always helping to make a difference! 💙

23/07/2026

Welcome to new members The Roxi Foundation

The Roxi Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by autism and ADHD, empowering them through community events, advocacy & grants for private assessments.

Focused on promoting understanding and acceptance, we provide resources, education, and inclusive activities tailored to create a supportive environment. Our initiatives aim to build connections, raise awareness, and champion the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals.

Through outreach and partnerships, The Roxi Foundation champions awareness, inspires hope, and creates lasting, positive change within the community.

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

Help us transform a nursery school into a Gympanzees Pop Up 💜

Before a single family walks through the door, there's a huge amount of work happening behind the scenes, and we need brilliant volunteers to help us bring the space to life.

On 3rd and 4th August, you can help us turn Ilminster Avenue Nursery School into a welcoming, accessible Pop Up filled with specialist equipment, sensory spaces and opportunities to play.

Then, on 24th August, we'll need another team to help pack everything away and return the building to a nursery school once again.

You could be helping to:

•Move and organise equipment
•Set up activity and sensory spaces
•Prepare signs, furniture and family areas
•Pack equipment safely at the end of the Pop Up
•Help make sure the venue is ready for its next chapter

You don't need specialist experience, just energy, reliability and a willingness to get stuck in. Some tasks may involve lifting and moving equipment, but our team will guide you every step of the way. You can volunteer for a full day or a half day.

📅 Set-up: 3rd and 4th August 2026
📅 Pack-down: 24th August 2026
📍 Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, Bristol

📧 Interested? Email [email protected] to register, and please share with anyone who might enjoy being part of the team.

Come and help us turn an ordinary building into something extraordinary for disabled children, young people and their families. 💜

Image description: Three Gympanzees volunteers in pink T-shirts prepare refreshments. Text invites people to volunteer at Summer Pop Up.

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

Supporting Blind & Partially Sighted Students Moving to Further or Higher Education 🎓

Are you or is someone you know a blind or partially sighted student preparing for the transition to college or university?

The Thomas Pocklington Trust is running a fantastic, free series of interactive online workshops called STEP into Further and Higher Education. These sessions are designed to give students, parents, and professionals all the vital information and guidance needed for a smooth transition.

Topics include navigating Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), understanding rights, accessibility, and independent living.

👉 Find out more and book your free place here: https://www.pocklington.org.uk/education/engage-with-us/student-transitions/

Discover our programme of events to support your transitions through education as a blind or partially sighted student, the topics of these sessions, and how to register.

22/07/2026

Looking to make your sports sessions, PE lessons, or physical activities fully inclusive for wheelchair users? ♿️🏆

WheelPower is running their 'Engaging Wheelchair Participants in Sport' online workshop, designed specifically for teachers, coaches, physios, OTs, and sports leaders!

This short, practical course helps build your confidence and gives you practical ideas to adapt sessions so everyone can get involved.

What to expect:

Part 1: A self-guided e-learning module (45–60 mins) on overcoming barriers, accessible language, and off-court considerations.

Part 2: A 2-hour interactive Zoom workshop led by experienced tutors with lived experience, packed with real-world insights and practical adaptations.

📅 Upcoming Live Session Dates:
• Thursday 30th July 2026 (9:30am – 11:30am)
• Thursday 24th September 2026 (9:30am – 11:30am)

Whether you want to adapt existing games or introduce new wheelchair sports, this is a fantastic opportunity to boost your inclusive coaching skills.

👉 Find out more and book your spot here: https://www.wheelpower.org.uk/activities/engaging-wheelchair-participants-in-sport/

22/07/2026

☀️ Free Sense Summer Sessions in Bristol! ☀️

Our network friends over at Sense have announced an incredible lineup of completely free activities taking place across the summer holidays!

They have organised exclusive access, family days, and themed sensory sessions designed to be fully inclusive and welcoming. Families are encouraged to book onto as many activity days as you like (please just make one booking per family).

Spaces are limited, so explore the schedule below and click the full links to secure your spots:

🌟 All-Age Family Events
🌾 Windmill Hill City Farm Family Event

📅 When: Monday 10th August | 10:30am – 1:45pm

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-windmill-hill-city-farm-family-event/

🧪 We The Curious Family Event

📅 When: Friday 14th August | 11:00am – 2:30pm

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-we-the-curious-family-event/

🚴 Family Afternoon at Bristol Cycling Centre (Exclusive afternoon access!)

📅 When: Wednesday 19th August | Afternoon session

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-family-afternoon-at-bristol-cycling-centre/

🌳 Sensory Walk - Nature Explorers (Page Park) (Ages 0–16)

📅 When: Wednesday 26th August | 1:30pm – 3:00pm

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-sensory-walk-nature-explorers-page-park-0-16-years/

🧸 Early Years (Ages 0–5)
In collaboration with the PlayHub – Be Weird Be Wild Be Wonderful, hosting exclusive themed sensory sessions just for families attending with Sense!

🦁 Jungle Themed Family Session

📅 When: Tuesday 28th July | 2:30pm – 4:00pm

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-jungle-themed-family-session-0-5-years-at-the-playhub-be-weird-be-wild-be-wonderful/

🐙 Under The Sea Themed Family Session

📅 When: Thursday 27th August | 2:30pm – 4:00pm

🔗 Book here: https://www.sense.org.uk/shop/online-shop/bristol-under-the-sea-themed-family-session-0-5-years-at-the-playhub-be-weird-be-wild-be-wonderful/

Please share this with any families in the South West network who would love a fantastic, accessible day out this summer! 💙

Join us for a fun filled day at Windmill Hill City Farm including a farm tour, garden activity and meeting some animals.