BrightPaths

20/03/2026

How to talk to your child about mental health.

On International Day of Happiness, it is important to remember that happiness is not about children feeling positive all the time. It is about knowing they have a safe and supportive space to talk about how they feel.

When children feel heard and understood, they learn that their emotions matter and that they are supported through both the happy and the difficult moments.

Open conversations, patience and reassurance can make a lasting difference to a child’s wellbeing.

18/03/2026

Today was Child Exploitation Awareness Day a campaign by NWG Network , and a reminder that some children face risks most adults never spot. And for many neurodivergent young people, those risks can be even higher.

Research shows neurodivergent children are over‑represented and more likely to be targeted across all forms of exploitation, including online, criminal and sexual exploitation.

But beneath every statistic is something quieter and deeply human:

-Young people who feel like they don’t fit in.
-Children with smaller support networks, low belonging, or lower self‑esteem.
-Families trying to navigate systems not built for neurodivergent needs.

At BrightPaths, we know that early, relational support can make a huge difference. And today’s theme, working in partnership is a reminder that no single service can protect a child alone. It takes schools, families, communities and specialist support working together to keep young people safe.

We’ve written a short blog today to honour this theme.

Read it here: https://brightpaths.org.uk/blog/child-exploitation-awareness-day-ceaday26/

and .

16/03/2026

To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’ve put together a free activity pack for children and young people.

It includes activities, facts, and reflection prompts to help build understanding of neurodiversity and encourage young people to think about their own strengths.

You can use the pack however works best. Pick the activities you like, dip in and out, or explore it together over time.

It’s all about celebrating different ways of thinking and helping create spaces where everyone feels supported.

Click the link to view the pack:

12/03/2026

Masking takes a lot of energy.

Many young people hide parts of who they are just to get through the day.

When we listen to what they’re telling us, we can make small changes that help them feel safer, understood, and able to be themselves.

11/03/2026

Tribunals don’t happen because families want a fight. They usually happen because something hasn’t worked earlier - support arrived too late, communication broke down, or children and parents were left feeling unheard.

Our latest blog looks at what families actually experience in the SEND system and why so many cases reach tribunals.

We exist to listen and learn from lived experience. We don’t have all the answers, but we believe understanding what families actually go through helps shape better conversations and better support.

👉 Read more: https://brightpaths.org.uk/blog/send-tribunals-and-what-families-really-experience/

09/03/2026

Stronger Beginnings – Supporting families at the start of their SEND journey

Are you concerned about your child’s development or just beginning to explore SEND support? You’re not alone — and support is available.

Join us for our Stronger Beginnings face-to-face drop-in session, designed to help signpost families and provide guidance in a welcoming, supportive environment.

📅 Friday 20th March
🕙 10.00am – 12.00pm
📍 Child Development Centre, Hill Rise, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7EB
💬 Drop-in session – no booking required

This session is ideal for parent carers who:

• Are at the early stages of their SEND journey
• Have concerns about their child’s development
• Want to understand what support is available
• Would like to speak to experienced representatives in person

BBPCF is here to ensure families feel informed, supported, and empowered from the very beginning.

📧 For more information, contact: communications@bbpcf.org.uk

06/03/2026

If you’ve ever felt unsure or overwhelmed trying to understand your autistic child, you’re not alone.

Sometimes all it takes is a conversation. A chance to step back, talk things through, and see your child’s needs from a new perspective. Recently, we’ve noticed some of the most powerful moments in our work happen in those first informal chats with parents and carers. Parents tell us they leave feeling heard, reassured, and more confident in supporting their child.

That’s why this ⬇️ looks like such an amazing resource.

Anna Freud and Autism Central offer free one-to-one sessions for parents and carers of autistic children, led by trained peer guides with lived experience. It’s a safe space to ask questions, get practical guidance, and talk with someone who really understands the journey.

Worth exploring if this could help your family:
https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/one-one

💬 Support for the young person matters. Support for the people supporting them matters too.

Do you work with family members of autistic people?

Or do you need personalised guidance for your own family?

We’re commissioned by the NHS to offer free, online coaching sessions through Autism Central.

These sessions are delivered by our trained and supervised peer guides with lived or family experience.

The sessions offer a safe space to reflect on autistic wellbeing, family life and practical guidance, helping you feel heard, connected and navigate services.

Anyone living in England and supporting an autistic person of any age is eligible. 4, 8 or 10 consecutive sessions can be booked.

Find out more and get booked in: https://orlo.uk/9MhkS

NHS England Workforce, Training and Education

04/03/2026

In our workshops, we ran a “make your own masks” activity to explore neurodivergent masking.

Young people created space to talk honestly about identity, the pressure to hide parts of themselves to fit in, and how tiring that can be over time.

These conversations matter, and so does being seen and accepted for who you really are.

03/03/2026

26/02/2026

We’ve recently come across Minna’s Masks, a wonderful book that explains masking in a way children can understand.

It really reflects what young people tell us about what helps them feel seen, understood, and supported.

The story follows Minna as she discovers that with the right adjustments at school, she can be more herself without always “wearing masks.”

There’s also a helpful section at the back for parents and carers, offering a simple explanation of masking and how doing it constantly can affect mental health.

A thoughtful resource for families, schools, and anyone who wants to better understand neurodivergent children.

25/02/2026

We know how hard it can be to get time with the right people when you’re trying to make sense of support for your child.

Don’t miss this opportunity from Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum who are offering parents and carers the opportunity to book a 1:1 session with key practitioners at their upcoming SEND Forum on Monday 2 March.

These give you time to speak directly with professionals, ask the questions that have been on your mind, and get clearer about what support is available for your child or young person.

Book your slot here: https://www.bbpcf.co.uk/event-booking-page