’The Family Bee’ by The Sensory Hive

The Sensory Hive has been established by parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions, who have backgrounds in Education and Occupational Therapy.  Our mission is to transform the lives of individuals living with sensory processing difficulties using Sensory Integration therapy.  We want to empower our community by equipping them with the tools to overcome the challenges of living with a sensory processing condition.

We are running an exciting new project called ‘The Family Bee.’  This is facilitated by Lisa, our Family Systems Coach, virtually over ZOOM. The aim of the project is to provide parents and carers with a support network made up of others who have a shared lived experience.  The weekly group session is a place where parents and carers can ‘belong’, openly share their triumphs, fears, anxieties and wants with those who are non-judgmental and completely supportive.  It will help individuals to work and reflect upon life’s events, and to analyse negative behavioural patterns and offer strategies on how these can be changed to improve mental health and well-being.  The project will positively impact the wider family system.

This project has emerged from our discussions with parents and carers who are experiencing increasing levels of anxiety and social isolation. Many are suffering from fatigue and burn-out, especially as a result of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns. The sessions will offer support, advice and strategies to target these challenges and difficulties.

Project summary:

- There will be two group sessions per week for parents/carers to choose from (Either Tuesday 7-8:30PM or Thursday 10-11:30AM).

- Each group session will have up to 15 parents/carers.

- This will be a continuous programme, where new parents/carers can join at any point.

- Sessions will be held virtually over ZOOM until our premises is ready to open in the Autumn.

Programme overview:

1) An initial 30 minute parent/carer consultation with Lisa, to glean an overview of family dynamics and to identify areas which need support and guidance.

2) A weekly 90 minute group session which focuses on a theme. The session is a safe space and begins with a reading written by another caregiver which is used as a springboard for discussion. During the sessions, parents/carers are invited to look at all areas of their lives e.g. self-care, family time, emotional well-being. We address cycles of behaviours, focusing on repeated thinking patterns that lead to unhealthy behaviours and highlight areas which can be changed. We look at areas of their lives that may be unmanageable and affect not just themselves, but the whole family, and work on strategies to address these.

3) Some parents/carers may need additional 1:1 sessions to discuss things that they may not feel can be brought to the group.