Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Swings & Smiles

Proudly supporting disabled
children and their families

Book a session Donate
Menu
  • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Our story
    • Meet the team
    • Our Trustees and Patrons
    • Contact us
    • News
      • Latest news
      • Blog posts
      • Sign up for our newsletter
    • Policies
    • Further Support
      • A-Z Guide
  • At the centre
    • Our facilities
    • Our sessions
    • Book a session
    • Respite
      • Respite at Swings & Smiles
      • Saturday Respite
      • Youth Club
      • Mini Spec, Spectrum and Oasis
      • After School Club
  • Outreach
    • About outreach
    • Outreach in schools
  • Sibling support
  • Our impact
    • The difference we make
    • Family stories
      • Katie's story
      • Benjamin's story
      • Georgia's Story
    • Case studies
  • Support us
    • Events
    • Make a donation
    • Fundraise for us
      • Create a fundraising page
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Challenge events
      • Support a fundraiser
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer opportunities
      • Internships
    • Corporate partnerships
    • Work with us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Sibling support

Sibling support

At Swings & Smiles we understand just how different life is when you are living in a family where a brother or sister has a disability or special needs.

We appreciate how siblings are often known to be caring, sympathetic to others and mature for their age. We also know that they are likely to be affected in a number of ways by their brother’s or sister’s disability or special needs. For instance, they may feel they receive less attention from parents or maybe they have a hard time at school because of their situation. We understand the emotions siblings may struggle with and want them to know that they are important too.

Our services

We've recently increased the number of sessions that we run for siblings (or as we call them, SIBS) at our centre in Thatcham, and they’re free to attend. Children are dropped off and we get up to all sorts of fun. These groups are a great opportunity for siblings to meet other children who understand their situation.

  • Every other Friday, 6-7.30pm - children in year 7 and over
  • Every other Saturday, 9.30-11am; 11.30-1pm - children aged 5 (already at school) up to year 6

As well as these regular groups during term-time, SIBSupport sessions are also part of our school holiday timetables. Our SIBSupport Worker Ben knows just what to plan to make each session fun, and even squeezes a trip in from time to time.

J came out today with the biggest smile on her face as she had had such a fantastic time! I honestly haven’t seen her smile like that for such a long time. She was very nervous this morning with it being her first face to face session but those nerves are a distant memory. She said she has made a friend already which is fantastic!

As well as our SIBSupport sessions at the centre we’re also able to deliver a five week sibling support course for schools which is currently delivered online. The school groups are structured sessions using group work and games to help tackle and solve many issues that siblings might encounter. We aim to increase awareness and understanding of emotions, to normalise them and learn coping strategies. Running these in a group setting helps reduce common feelings of isolation and increases confidence by being amongst peers who have similar experiences.

We aim to work closely with schools and professionals to make sure that siblings are receiving the support they need in order to fulfil their potential. We are happy to meet with you or talk to the relevant people at your organisation about the best way to do this. See the results of our recent sibling support survey to find out a bit more about why we believe this is so important.

If you know of a school who may be able to benefit from this service, or if you have any other queries relating to our sibling support,  then please contact [email protected]. To access our SIBSupport service you will need to complete one of our assessment forms for your family. You will then be able to book for upcoming sessions.

Find out about our facilities

Published: 7th March, 2019

Updated: 30th June, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Justin's London Marathon 2022

    Justin's London Marathon 2022

    Swings and Smiles is a great local charity that has helped my family since we moved to the area. All donations will help them provide services to others. It will be my first marathon and knowing it is helping them in a small way will keep me going when I hit the "wall"!

  • Team Cocopops Fundraiser for Swings & Smiles

    Team Cocopops Fundraiser for Swings & Smiles

    To support a local charity that we feel passionate about!

  • St Henys NCS Fundraiser for Swings & Smiles

    St Henys NCS Fundraiser for Swings & Smiles

  • Further Support

Most read

  • Our sessions

    Our sessions

    Swings & Smiles is open seven days a week, providing a place to play and support for children with special needs and their families. Find out what's on offer and how you can book to come along.

  • Book a session

    Book a session

    Once you've completed our assessment form you'll be told which sessions you can attend at Swings & Smiles. You can book online via the website or email - we hope to see you soon!

  • What we do

    What we do

    Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and where they can spend quality time together. Our services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach.

  • Our facilities

    Our facilities

    Swings & Smiles offers play sessions for children with special needs and their whole family at our centre in Thatcham.

  • Sibling support

    Sibling support

    We understand just how different life is when you have a brother or sister who has a disability or special needs. We run three sessions a month for siblings which are free to attend, as well as offering a 5 week course in schools.

  • Contact us

    Contact us

    How to get in touch with or find Swings & Smiles in Thatcham, West Berkshire with details of opening times.

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    Find out about our latest job opportunities at Swings & Smiles.

  • Open Day and Classic Car Show

    Open Day and Classic Car Show

    Come along to Swings & Smiles for a fun day out with some fabulous classic cars on show, in association with the White Horse Classic Vehicle Enthusiasts.

  • About outreach

    About outreach

    Swings & Smiles is able to provide outreach in the community free of charge. We're able to visit schools, groups and individuals with lots of lovely sensory equipment and activities.

  • Welcome Sangeeta

    Welcome Sangeeta

    Swings & Smiles welcome ITV Meridian News Presenter Sangeeta Bhabra as a patron. Sangeeta is an adult sibling carer and has written an article for carers week, illustrating some of the challenges she faces but also the many positives she experiences from having a disabled brother.

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

A Place to Play
Lower Way
Thatcham
RG19 3RR

+44 (0)1635 285170
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

Swings & Smiles is registered in England as charity number 1120598