First Steps to Support
An essential part of our work is keeping in regular contact with parents/carers, letting them know we care and helping to identify ways in which we may be able to offer support.
If you need someone to talk to, you are welcome to stop by for a cuppa and a chat with our friendly team.
Contact our Single Point of Access Team to receive the right support for you and your family.
The Family Support Team is the starting point for everyone wishing to access Umbrella’s services. The team runs our Single Point of Access service to discover which service will be suitable for each referral.
The Single Point of Access line is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3pm.
Ongoing Support
Parents/Carers are not always looking for a quick fix, sometimes they just want someone to listen, someone who will not judge them but provide a listening ear and at Umbrella we recognise that parents/carers should be emotionally supported, that the needs of children change, that services alter and that views of parents/carers should be respected by professionals.
Support Groups
Parents and carers tell us they often feel stressed, isolated and lonely. This is where our support groups make a big difference.
Why come to a support group?
- Meet other parents/carers in similar situations
- Hear what others have to say
- Learn new information
- Share emotions safely
- Form new friendships
- Enjoy the opportunity to socialise
- Relieve stress
- Share issues/ideas to help pinpoint action plans
- Don’t feel alone any more.
- Discover ways Umbrella can help
Available groups in Derbyshire
Sharing problems with like-minded individuals can often help pinpoint the right information to help make processes easier. With all of this in mind, we currently facilitate the following Parent/Carer support groups throughout Derbyshire during term time only…
Derby City
Meet the first Wednesday of each month 10am to 12 noon
The Annie Hall Centre, 8 Bedford Close, Derby. DE22 3HQ.
Erewash (Long Eaton)
Last Thursday of the month 10am to 12 noon
New Sawley Methodist Church, 214 Tamworth Road, Long Eaton NG10 3GU.
Amber Valley
Meet the second Thursday of each month
 10am to 12 noon
St Margaret Clitherow, Hall Farm Road, Duffield, DE56 4FS
Evening Carers Group
Meet the last Monday of the month from 6pm
Please call 01332 521229 for details of the venue as this varies.
Kirk Hallam
Second Tuesday of the month 11 am to 1pm.
Kirk Hallam Community Centre (Kenilworth Dr, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston DE7 4EX
Parents/Carers and Child
and Siblings Support
Please call 01332 521229 for details.
Forest School Sessions at The Long Eaton Community Garden, Norfolk Road, Long Eaton NG10 2AW
Parents/Carers and Girls
Group meet once a month on a Friday 6pm to 8pm.
The Annie Hall Centre, 8 Bedford Close, Derby DE22 3HQ.
Parents/Carers and Boys
Group meet once a month on a Friday 6pm to 7.30pm.
The Annie Hall Centre, 8 Bedford Close, Derby DE22 3HQ.
Under 5's Stay and Play (Kirk Hallam)
Third Tuesday of the month 10am to 12pm.
Kirk Hallam Community Centre (Kenilworth Dr, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston DE7 4EX
Other Parent/Carer Events
Family Picnics
An event for the whole family. Parents/carers tell us they sometimes find it difficult to access mainstream events or local parks with their disabled child because they feel people are un-accepting of their situation. They feel safer and secure to come knowing other families will be at our activities. Picnics and other events are usually organised during the school holidays.
Carers Week Events
During Carers’ week in June, we particularly like to acknowledge the hard work all parents/carers do, by holding an event such as a spa day, creative carer event or a shopping trip.
SEND Workshops and Information Sessions
We run a variety of SEND related information sessions delivered at our support groups throughout the year.