The S.P.A.C.E. (Stakeholder Parents and Carers Engagement) meetings are a vital initiative providing a welcoming space for parents, carers, and experts to come together. These meetings offer an opportunity to share experiences, discuss the challenges and successes of supporting disabled and seriously ill children and young adults, and raise awareness of best practices. By fostering a sense of community and solidarity, the S.P.A.C.E. meetings aim to make a real difference for families navigating the complexities of caring for children with special needs. Join us in building a supportive network and improving the lives of those who need it most!

Register here for meetings

Terms of reference  

Who is Invited to Attend?

• Parents of a disabled child
• People with living experience of a disability
• Social care, health, and well-being providers
• Education providers
• Third sector and charity organisations
• Providers offering and seeking solutions

How the Meetings Takes Place?

• Meetings will alternate between five Universities across Wales: Bangor, Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Swansea and Cardiff.
• Face-to-face attendees can join from 9:30am to network
  (tea and coffee available).
• Online connection is available from 10am to 11am via Teams – all registered for this meeting are supplied with a team’s invitation.
• These meetings are held through the medium of English and minutes are provided in both Welsh and English, please let us know if you would be more comfortable speaking through your language of choice.
• Face-to-face networking will continue from 11am to midday.

What is Discussed?

Current projects, solutions, challenges, funding, and opportunities are all on the agenda. We encourage all to share their latest updates by emailing davina.carey-evans@familyfund.org.uk for inclusion in the news roundup at the start of each meeting.

Each meeting features three speakers, giving a 10-minute presentation. Our aim is to include a diverse range of voices, with a parent with lived experience or a disabled young adult, another representing an organisation to discuss their project and its local impact, and a third from a provider, who will share insights on the challenges they faced, the steps taken to address them, and the benefits of making their services more accessible. These meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for networking and sharing best practices.

Who is this Work For?

Minutes are taken and shared with a growing list of influencers and decision-makers to raise the issues discussed.

Dates for the diary 2025

23 January: Swansea

20 February: Bangor

27 March: Cardiff

24 April: Wrexham

22 May: Aberystwyth

26 June: Bangor

25 September: Swansea

23 October: Bangor

20 November: Cardiff

18 December: Wrexham