HemiHelp

01/05/2026

Want to improve your campaigning skills?

Do you want to share your views with MPs and local decision-makers, but you’re not sure where to start, or how to do this effectively?

You are invited to join our online campaigning skills workshop on Thursday 30 April at 12pm.

In this session, you’ll learn how to build positive relationships with politicians. You’ll also gain practical tips on how to engage effectively once the White Paper consultation closes.

Find out more and book here:

Thank you to everyone who took part in our SEND White Paper focus groups. We have heard from many parent carers who feel strongly about the proposed changes and want to raise the issues that matter to them and their disabled child. Do you want to share your views with MPs and local decision-makers,....

30/04/2026

For parent carers in England only:
As a parent carer of a child with hemiplegia we know your experience of the SEND system is unique. Hemiplegia can be misunderstood. From the outside, your child may appear to cope in a mainstream school - but you see the daily challenges they face, the fatigue, the isolation, and the effort it can sometimes take just to keep up. You may also face judgement from others who don’t fully understand.
Your experience and views matter and the government’s Schools White Paper and consultation on proposals for SEND reform in England is your opportunity to share what’s working - and what isn’t. Your voice can help shape changes that recognise the hidden impact of hemiplegia and the importance of understanding and support for children like yours.
We encourage parents who have the time and energy to complete the consultation themselves to make sure hemiplegia is part of the conversation. Find out more about how to here: https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/news-and-views/making-sure-parent-voices-are-heard-in-the-schools-white-paper-consultation/
Alternatively, you can share your thoughts here so Contact can take them into consideration when drafting our organisational response to the government's consultation which closes on 18 May.

Since the Schools White paper for England was published, there’s been growing concern from parents about the proposals and about whether their voices are being heard in the consultation process. Contact has been speaking directly to parents about their concerns and insights. We will combine this p...

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at HemiHelp & Contact! ✨💫

Whatever 2026 brings, you won’t face it alone. Our helpline will be open again at 9.30am on 2nd January 2026 💚

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at HemiHelp & Contact🎄💚

Today, we’re thinking of every family in our community, those celebrating, those resting, those navigating challenges, and those finding their own unique ways to make Christmas work.

Thank you for being part of a community that lifts each other up. We’re proud to stand with you, today and always. 💚

24/12/2025

🎅🎄 Christmas & New Year helpline opening hours 🎄🎅

As the festive period approaches, we want to let families know about our advice and information helpline opening hours over Christmas and where to find support while our service is closed.

Our helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December) and will reopen at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.

During this time, our email inboxes, web forms, live chat, and social media pages will be unmoderated. If you contact us while we’re closed, we’ll respond as soon as possible after we reopen.

You can still find lots of trusted advice on our website at any time. Our chatbot, Charlie, is available 24/7 to help guide you to information quickly and easily.

If you need to speak to someone urgently, the following services are available throughout the festive period:

💚 Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)
💚 CALM – 0800 585858 (5pm–midnight)
💚 SHOUT – Text 85258 (24/7)
💚 The Trussell Trust – Find your nearest food bank for emergency food support - https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank

Scotland: Our Scotland enquiry service is closed from 18 December, reopening 5 January. Support is available via Children First (0800 028 2233) and other national services.

Northern Ireland: Our NI office is closed from 18 December, reopening 5 January. Lifeline NI is available 24/7 on 0808 808 8000.

Wales: Our Wales office is closed from 24 December, reopening 5 January. Support is available from Family Lives (0808 800 2222) and via Fareshare Cymru’s community food map.

We know Christmas can be a difficult time for many families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the services above if you need support, and we’ll be here again as soon as our offices reopen 💚

19/12/2025

Our UK-wide advice and information helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve (24 December) and reopen at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.

While we’re closed, our emails, web forms, live chat and social media pages will be unmoderated. We’ll respond as soon as we can once we reopen.

You can still find advice on our website at any time, and Charlie the chatbot is available 24/7 to help you find information.

Find out where you can access support this festive period here 👇

Contact's helpline will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24 December and will re-open at 9.30am on Friday 2 January 2026.

28/11/2025

📝Research Opportunity for Children & Young People in Northern Ireland.
Researchers from Ulster University are looking to talk to young people aged 11–18 with unilateral cerebral palsy/hemiplegia, and who have received occupational therapy on the arm/hand after botulinum toxin (“botox”) injections.
The study aims to explore the experiences of children and young people who have taken part in blocks of occupational therapy for their upper limb following botox injections.
If you are able to help, a researcher will meet with you and/or your young person to ask questions about their experience at a location that's convenient to you.
If you are interested, please fill out this contact form: https://forms.office.com/e/ACsGyDgkEf
Note: If you are under 16, a parent/guardian must complete the form. If you are 16–18, you can fill it in yourself.
You can also request a paper form by emailing A.Oloughlin@ulster.ac.uk.
The closing date is 10 December 2025.

17/10/2025

A new name for Contact could be on the table – please pull up a chair…

Thanks to all of you who have been involved in our brand refresh project so far including taking part in focus groups, workshops and surveys.

One of the things we are now exploring is a new charity name for Contact.

Research we carried out with parent carers and other supporters told us that 70% think it’s time for a name change. So, with your help we’ve got a short list of 3 names plus our current name, Contact, and we’d love you to help us make the right choice.

Help us decide: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q57GPTN

Please take a few minutes to complete our very short survey - and do feel free to share with parent carers you know. We’re asking for your thoughts on the name only – you’ll see a sample strapline alongside each name just to show how it could look (the final wording of the strapline will be decided later).

The survey is open until Friday 24 October – don’t miss the chance to name our future.

19/08/2025

If you’ve known us for a while, you’ll know we’re called Contact. But over the years, we’ve heard from many people that our name doesn’t always make it clear who we are or what we do.

That’s why we’re now thinking about whether a name change could help us better represent the support we offer – and we’d really like to hear what you think through this short questionnaire.

Nothing has been decided yet. We’re just exploring ideas, and we’d love your thoughts on our current name and any suggestions you might have for a new name.

Tell us what you think by Thursday 4 September. Everyone who takes part can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £50 vouchers as a thank-you. And don’t worry – your answers will be completely anonymous.
Find the questionnaire here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P72BYC9

02/05/2025

Last minute place available!
Breathe Arts Health Research are recruiting for their Breathe Magic Intensive Therapy Programme for young people aged between 6 – 18 years with hemiplegia!
Highly specialist occupational therapists work alongside Magic Circle magicians to provide therapy in a group setting with one-to-one support, delivering interventions tailored to suit each young person’s particular strengths and needs through the art of magic. It’s never been more fun achieving daily living goals!
For 2025, the programme is being delivered in London (Mon 28th July – Fri 8th August) and a place has become available!
Contact Breathe Magic directly for more information - https://breatheahr.org/programmes/breathe-magic/ or email magic@breatheahr.org

Our clinically effective, fun and engaging approach to therapy for young people with hemiplegia.

25/04/2025

Help shape the future of Contact – share your thoughts in our 10-minute survey
We’re looking for as many parents, carers, practitioners and supporters as possible to fill in our short survey to tell us what you think about Contact and how we come across. We want to improve the way we communicate the work we do here at Contact, so people better understand what we offer families and people who work with disabled children and their families. By taking our short survey you’ll play a vital role in helping us shape the way we communicate with parents, carers, supporters, professionals and other audiences.

Take our survey today - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ContactbrandsurveyApril2025

All of your answers will be confidential and anonymised and the survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. The deadline for your responses is Wednesday 7 May. Thank you!

03/04/2025

CP ATHLETICS DAY, May 18TH 2025, in Warwickshire. A chance to try out athletics if you haven't already - or get more coaching if you've already got involved!
Find out all about the day and how to sign up below.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) Athletics Day - Dare to Achieve. Explore athletics as a member of the Cerebral Palsy community, meet others, share experiences and try track, field and frame running.