kindred - your stories

Read the real life stories of parents of children with complex needs being supported by Kindred

In the video above we hear what Sophie's experience of being a mum to a child with additional needs means for her.

Below you can read other stories parents with children with additional and often complex needs.

Latest

Webinar: Child Poverty & Households with a Disabled Member in Scotland

Monday 27th September 2021, a free webinar aimed at those addressing poverty and inequality. The link between having a member of a household with a disability, and child poverty has long been known. With expert speakers including Kindred Director Sophie Pilgrim on engaging with families of those with a disability.
Kindred is recruiting a new Chair

Could you be Kindred's new Chair? An exciting opportunity to make a difference supporting parents of children with complex needs. Apply by noon on 22nd September 2021. Full details in linked post.
Our funders

Kindred could not provide its vital service to families without the support of our funders.
Dunbar Supermums and Wonderwomen plus a Super-Wonder-dad!

Read about the fantastic fundraising efforts of Supermums and (dad) from Dunbar who are raising funds for Kindred. Hear mum Laura's reasons for teaming up with other parents to run the 2021 Edinburgh Marathon Relay on Sunday 30th May.

Dunbar Supermums and Wonderwomen plus a Super-Wonder-dad!

Read about the fantastic fundraising efforts of Supermums and (dad) from Dunbar who are raising funds for Kindred. Hear mum Laura's reasons for teaming up with other parents to run the 2021 Edinburgh Marathon Relay on Sunday 30th May.
Baby Arthur's Story

Veronica Warrington, Kindred’s Hospital Team Manager, describes supporting a family during the pandemic lockdown
Juliette's story

The story of a parent, Juliette Paris Newton and her take on why parents like her need Kindred
Emily's story

Read the story of Emily, who was born prematurely and how her mum, Kirsty got the support and information she needed from Kindred.
Anne's blistering blog

Memories of a physical fundraiser (as opposed to an online one!) to inspire you to get out there for Kindred when restrictions allow . Anne's Blistering Blog from a Kiltwalk a few years ago.
Toni's Fundraiser

This is the story of a Kindred fundraising parent, Toni McGovaney Stewart, who tells us why she supports Kindred through fundraising
Mhari's done it for Kindred!

On the 1st March Mhari took up a challenge for Kindred to raise awareness and funds for the work we do.

Benefits

There are many different sources of financial support available to children with disabilities. Kindred may be able to support parents to apply for some of these benefits.
Our vision and aims

Kindred's vision is to transform the lives of families of children with complex needs in Scotland.
Social Work Assessment (Section 23)

If your child has a disability or long-term health condition then you are likely to require additional help with family life. The Social Work department of your local authority has a duty to assess the needs of your child. This is called a Section 23 Assessment.
Contact us

You can contact Kindred by phone, email and by post.
Education

Children with additional needs may need extra support in school, or you may feel that your child needs to attend a different school provision such as a language unit, another mainstream school or a special school. Depending on where you live, Kindred may be able to assist you with finding the right provision for your child.
Fife Team

Kindred's Fife Team is based in Dunfermline, providing a service throughout Fife to parents of children with complex needs including advocacy, information and emotional support.
Accessing grants

Details of different funds and grant-giving trusts/charities that you can approach if needed, and some handy hints on applying.
Our history

Kindred began supporting families in 1991 from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. We were known then as SNIP or Special Needs Information Point. We started with a founding team of two parents who each had a child with additional needs, keen to share their knowledge. Now we have a team of 13 staff over three bases in Scotland, and we are still a parent-led organisation.
Our board

Kindred has been parent-led for over 30 years - meet our current Board of Trustees.
Community Team

Kindred's Community Team is based at our Head Office in the West End of Edinburgh. It works with approximately 200 families a year providing information, advocacy and emotional support to parents of children with complex needs.