What is Link-Upp?

Link-Upp came about through a partnership between Contact a Family (West Midlands), Carers' Support Initiative and Birmingham Carers' Association.

The name Link-Upp reflects the reason for its creation - to enable sharing of information and ideas between groups for parents of children with special needs. It soon became clear that there was also a need for parents themselves to share information about what groups exist and what those groups do. There are many parent support groups in the Birmingham area, and it was previously difficult for parents to find out about them. Through its activities, Link-Upp aims to make this information more easily available.

Link-Upp:

• Distributes a monthly newsletter. This provides details of parent support groups in the city, as well as allowing members to include information for the benefit of other members.
• Organises social events and workshops. Events allow parents and children to meet in a friendly environment and share information face-to-face, and also to have fun! The workshops provide training in areas which are of special importance to parent support groups.
• Provides a central contact point for parent support groups, as well as parents themselves, to obtain information -- for example, on fundraising, child protection issues, first aid and most importantly looking after yourself and pampering!

Anyone can join Link-Upp, and there's no membership fee. See here for details.