AT Mash Community SN, we support whole families and their special education needs or disabled children by Creating culturally competent support groups where they can easily make the journey.
The African and Caribbean communities hold cultural beliefs about disability, leading to isolation, negative attitudes, exclusion, or lack of community support or understanding of their unique challenges. Many families lack awareness of available resources or rights for their special needs child and in some cases, language barriers prevent families from accessing information and services.
The African and Caribbean families have limited access to culturally competent mental health services to address the emotional toll of caregiving. Also, stereotypes from healthcare professionals affect the quality of support they can receive.
All the above is due to a lack of representation in disability advocacy organisations for the African and Caribbean communities, leading to policies and programs that may not address their specific needs. Mash Community Support Network works in partnership with professional to ensure that healthcare, educational, and support services are culturally sensitive and tailored to the needs of those families, and provides access to culturally competent mental health services to address their emotional and psychological needs.
When a child has special needs, family life is turned upside down. Mash Community SN supports those families through the provision of resources and advocacy. Working with healthcare professionals, we focus on improving the whole family’s quality of life, including parents, carers, the child with needs, and siblings. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. Our daily support can include:
We provide a range of support to parents caring for a child with special needs, with diagnostic or awaiting one.
For children with special needs, we have a range of activities to support their mental wellbeing and further their development.
Access to a range of information which will help parents and carers understand local policy and the SEN legal framework.
We provide emotional and resource support to families whose a child has special needs. This includes parents, carers, and children.
I had my child a few months after I moved to the UK, and she has had a development issue that has been called autism. My family went through depression because we couldn’t understand the medical side of it due to our beliefs. Mash Community was very supportive of our recovery and we really thank the team.
Mum with an autistc child
Find some great fundraising ideas such as a challenge, your birthday, or let us inspire you.
Thank you for your donations, it will go a very long way supporting children and their families.
Join our volunteer team and help make a difference for families who have special needs children.
Sharing our charitable causes’ information and encouraging others to get involved will help.
Join our friendly volunteer team and help make a difference for families with special education needs or disabled children.
Mash Community Support Network’s mission is to support African and Caribbean families living with children who have special education needs or disabilities. Today’s support will help prevent insults tomorrow and transform society for every childhood.
Registered Charity No. 1201765
All images and stories may not be reproduced without expressed written permission | © 2025 Mash Community SN.
