COSMOS is getting ready to launch its first parent and carer hub
Lizzie Keown, COSMOS Secretary; Cheryl Harper, COSMOS Chair; and Jessica Ryan, COSMOS Social Media Co-ordinator
COSMOS…you might think that this is a story about time and space. And you’re not wrong! This group is very much about giving people the time and space to reflect, to share their SEND stories and to feel listened to.
COSMOS stands for Community of SEND Mothers Obtaining Solutions. Despite the name, all are welcome to join, and the group already has some SEND dads on board!
The group is a new SEND parent and carer group in Wirral with its first meeting taking place in summer 2024. COSMOS is all about finding out what needs to be done and finding solutions that will improve the lives of families and SEND children and young people in Wirral.
COSMOS want to drive changes in SEND services by working in partnership with other groups and agencies. In the last few months, through regular meetings the group has built relationships with the local authority and Parent Carer Participation Wirral (PCPW) Wirral’s SEND Parent Carer forum, amongst others.
Talking about how the group started, Cheryl Harper, COSMOS chair, said: “COSMOS came from the idea that parent carers and their families are 'experts by experience' in meeting the needs of children and the services needed which support our children. Our core team members all have children with SEND and different lived experiences. Education is about securing futures for our children. COSMOS is about using the voice of parents to help develop future services in a positive way from the grass roots of our communities. Our belief is the voice of the families is the voice which should matter the most.”
COSMOS want to create a community voice that it can feedback to decision makers. In order to start finding this voice, COSMOS is launching its first hub at Crea8ing Community on Thursday 5 December 2024, at the old Claughton Children’s Centre on Ridgeview Road in Noctorum, CH43 9HG. Parents and carers are all welcome to come along have a chat with them during the coffee morning between 10am and 12pm. COSMOS is open to all SEND needs and you don’t need to have a diagnosis or be on the pathway to diagnosis to join in or get support and advice.
The group has exciting plans to introduce more hubs in 2025 and is currently in talks with a variety of venues, including local primary schools. Plus, the group is also busy building links with other organisations, such as the Positivitree.
COSMOS member Helen Wade commented: “As CEO. of Ferries Family Groups, I fully support the aims and objectives of COSMOS that enable parents and carers to have a voice in influencing improvements in the support available for SEND children and their families.”
As the hubs expand and the group grows its offer, COSMOS would love people to come on board as volunteers. The group is also keen to hear from you if you need advice or support. You can get in touch with COSMOS via the Facebook page Facebook.com/COSMOSWIRRAL or you can send an email to COSMOSWIRRAL@GMAIL.COM.