Face2Face is a nationwide charity befriending parents and carers of specials needs children. Their trained befrienders have themselves a child/children with special needs are are therefore in a unique position to offer friendship and support to other parents in a similar situation.

They offer:

• Time to talk and be listened to;

• Understanding from someone who has been through a similar experience;

• Reassurance that what you are feeling is ok;

• A positive view about the future of your child.

Face2Face can be helpful to parents whose child has been newly diagnosed, but can be just as relevant to those parents whose child抯 diagnosis has been known for some time, or indeed do not have a diagnosis at all but find themselves needing some extra support at a difficult time.

Face2Face is now firmly reestablished in the East Surrey area and is ready to befriend parents.

Face2Face welcomes referalls from parents as well as from health professionals. Parents can speak to befrienders confidentially and will be treated with empathy and respect. The service is free and is flexible to meet the needs of the individual.

In addition to the normal one-to-one befriending service, Face2Face also holds two term-time coffee mornings. The first is every Friday morning between 9.30am and 12pm in a self-contained meeting room in the grounds of Brooklands School, 27 Wray Park Road, Reigate RH2 0DF. The second is the first Thursday of each month 12- 2pm at the YMCA, Princes Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 6JJ, again term time. The coffee mornings enable parents to meet each other on a more informal basis.

Rachel Strutton has been attending the Face2Face coffee mornings for just over a year. She said: "If a child with special needs goes to school on transport, parents do not get the chance to meet and chat at the school gates like at other schools. The coffee mornings are a really good opportunity for parents to get together and have an informal chat."

If you would like any further information please call our Co-ordinator Chris Braidwood direct on 07947 254416 or via the YMCA on 01737 779979 where we are based. More details of Face2Face can be found at www.face2facenetwork.org .uk.