We Are Beams is a local charity based in Hextable, Kent. I say “charity” but what I really mean is “a vital social service that receives no government funding”. It is a scandal that society has to rely on charities to function but given that I can’t change the system I can at least raise some awareness.
On the day we got Victoria’s diagnosis we were given a pile of leaflets and told to be on our way, which was kind of like being handed a parachute as you are pushed out of a plane and told you have everything you need to survive. Luckily for us one of the leaflets was for Beams and I cannot underplay just how crucial they have been in helping us traverse the mazes of officialdom that stand in the way of getting Victoria the support she really needs. For a tiny annual membership fee we get access to very experienced and talented people who have helped us with paperwork and understanding the processes that are deliberately designed to confuse. We are very lucky compared to many parents of children with autism in that all we really need is for Victoria to be given the support and education that will allow her to reach her full potential. It’s what every parent wants however for us it’s not just a case of regular “discussions” with the school (although there’s a lot of that too). It’s a constant battle with the local authority and one we would be ill-equipped to fight without the support of Beams.
Beams run lots of family support groups, host the Dragon’s Retreat respite centre, arrange days out and run training sessions and courses such as the excellent Cygnets course (click here for a list of their parenting programmes) which Becs and I attended a couple of years ago. I never thought I would need “parenting courses” or “support groups” in order to raise a child but the things you learn from the professionals and from others on the same journey is incredible. One thing I’ve learnt over the past few years is that I cannot be my usual proud self – I need help on this journey and I’m now not too proud to ask for it. Beams was the first part of that so please do reach out to them if you think they could be of assistance.