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MP Kim Leadbeater visited charity Northorpe Hall Child + Family Trust recently, for a special event supporting local families with neurodivergent children.
The morning gave young people the chance to socialise in a relaxed setting, while parents shared experiences, supported one another, and spoke directly with the team about the challenges they face and the guidance they need.
They were quick to open up to Kim, talking honestly about the difficulties they’ve encountered with schools: from navigating the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process to understanding how to advocate for their children effectively.
Kim Leadbeater MP told us: “It was a real privilege to meet families taking part in Northorpe Hall’s Me + My Normal programme. I had some powerful conversations with parents and young people about the challenges neurodivergent children can
face within education and society, and the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can embrace and celebrate their unique identities.
"The feedback from families spoke volumes about the impact of this innovative project, and we are incredibly lucky to have Northorpe Hall Child + Family Trust supporting children and young people across Spen Valley.”
They also shared the kinds of support they’d love to see more of, including regular family meetups, clear advice on accessing local services, and workshops to help build confidence in self-advocacy.
The families had previously taken part in the Me + My Normal programme, a pioneering pilot project designed alongside parents and young people to help 11–17-year-old children with neurodiversity celebrate their uniqueness, build peer connections and confidence, and explore what “normal” means to them in a safe, supportive environment.
Northorpe’s Julie Curtis, who supported the delivery of the programme, described how happy the young people seemed throughout the morning: “It was heartwarming to see how happy the young people felt, they were comfortable enough to socialise with one another and with our team, which made for a very welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere!”
The charity is keen to run the programme again and to do that, they’re currently looking at funding and partnership opportunities. Any organisations who would be interested in providing support for this activity are encouraged to contact the team on support@northorpe.com
