Parents Oxford

Support & Services

Mum as You Are (MAYA)

MAYA is a postnatal peer support organisation for all mums of new babies in Oxford.

Parenting a newborn is hard. MAYA’s research found that many new mums were rarely asked ‘but how are you really?’ which increased feelings of worry, anxiety and isolation during that often tricky newborn adjustment phase. Mums consistently reported a gap in accessible, affordable, informal, in-person postnatal community support.

MAYA was created in response to this. MAYA offers one-to-one meet ups for new mums with trained volunteer mums who are further along in their parenting journey. It provides a regular, informal, empathic, judgement-free space – on a walk or in a café – to offload, rant, reflect and feel listened to during those early weeks and months with someone who ‘gets it’! MAYA also facilitates group meet-ups with fellow new mums and offers links into existing community wellbeing and family sessions.

Your community grows just as you do in your parenting journey.

MAYA is currently running a free pilot of its peer support to mums expecting babies between November 2023 and February 2024.

Please get in touch with Jess for a chat if you’re a mum-to-be or if your baby has already arrived to hear more.


jess@mumaya.co.uk
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Autism Family Support Oxfordshire

We use understanding, expertise, and a lot of fun and care to support the development and well-being of children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and their families. We aim to provide autism-specific information, advice and support to parent/carers, as well as linking you with similar parents and children if you wish. We also run youth groups and holiday activities.

01844 338696 (someone is usually in the office on Monday to Wednesday 8:30-4:30 term-time)

Be Free Young Carers

Be Free Young Carers  – 01235 838554

BFYC is an Oxfordshire based charity, we work with young carers aged 8 to 18. BFYC is the only specialist organisation supporting young carers in Oxfordshire. We’ve been supporting young carers for over 25 years, offering respite trips and emotional and practical advice so they can manage the stresses and responsibilities of being a young carer.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Oxford

Citizens Advice provide free, independent and confidential advice and support. If you are in difficulty, or think you might soon be, then please do contact us now to get support and advice about how to make things better for yourself. Anyone can use our service at any time to overcome problems related to family, debt, benefits, employment, housing and a number of other issues.

95/96 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DA

03444 111 444

Donnington Doorstep Family Centre

Community-based family centre offering a range of services to local children and their parents/carers. Donnington Doorstep offers drop-in sessions for 0-5s several days a week.

Mondays, 10-2

Tuesdays, 10-2

Wednesdays, 10-12

Thursdays, 10-2

Address: Townsend Square, Donnington Bridge Road, Oxford, OX4 4BB

Tel: 01865 727721

Down’s Syndrome Oxford

Down’s Syndrome Oxford is a charity organised and funded by volunteer parents and supporters to provide information, support and activities for children and adults with Down’s Syndrome and their families living in Oxfordshire. Members of DSO are children and adults with Down’s Syndrome, their parents, carers and supporters of the charity plus many key professionals such as physiotherapists, pre-school teacher councilors, teaching assistants, health visitors and other people working in the community.

info@dsoxford.org.uk

Nurturing Mothers – Getting comfortable with good enough

Postnatal course for mothers and babies led by clinical psychologists Rebecca Knowles Bevis and Guinevere Webster. For mothers at any stage after birth, babies very welcome. A supportive space to reflect on this momentous transition and grow into mothering. Each session includes: practical techniques for self-care, baby-bonding activities and information on mother-baby development.

Thursdays 12.45-2.15 pm in OX4 3PG. £85 for 8 sessions.

07968 215030

Oxford ADHD Centre

Oxford ADHD Centre is the first specialist independent clinic in Oxford for children and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions, such as specific learning difficulties, anxiety and depression. We are able to offer assessments and also ongoing management and follow-up, including treatment with medication if appropriate. We also offer support groups and a specially adapted parenting course and workshops.

01865 744144

Oxford Families Need Fathers

The UK’s leading shared parenting charity, Families Need Fathers provides information and support to parents of either sex. FNF is chiefly concerned with the problems of maintaining a child’s relationship with both parents during and after family breakdown.

Meetings held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in Cowley. There is a review on the previous month, then you are given the opportunity to voice views and experiences. Help and advice given when appropriate.

07813 050735 or 07921 857558

Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline

The Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline can provide emotional support and practical information for adults affected by domestic abuse. It works with victims to empower them to make decisions regarding their relationship, irrespective of whether they wish to leave or not. The helpline can help with any enquiries that you may have and provide access to support services. It is free and will not show on your home telephone bill but may appear on an itemised mobile phone bill.

Helpline number: 0800 731 0055 (Monday to Friday 10.00am-6.00pm and Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm)

Oxfordshire Family Support Network

Oxfordshire Family Support Network is a not-for-profit organisation run by and for family carers of people with learning disabilities – both children and adults. We provide the families of people with learning disabilities with:

  • accurate and up-to-date information about the issues that affect them;
  • training and support to become effective advocates for themselves and those they care for;
  • a platform to ensure their voices are heard by those responsible for designing and delivering services.

07891 734987

Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP)

Provides specialist therapeutic support, from conception to 2 years, for infants and  parents who are in need of assistance for issues such as establishing and building close nurturing relationships,  depression and anxiety, birth trauma, loss, or unresolved issues from parents’ own early lives. Based at the Kidlington Centre. Call 01865 778034.

South Oxford Family Room

Community-run centre for babies, young children and their families in South Oxford.

Stay & play sessions offering indoor and outdoor play, as well as singing, snacks and hot drinks. £3 suggested donation.
Mondays & Fridays, 9.30-12pm.

Family Fun/Saturdads Sessions for creative play and exciting experiences.
3rd Saturday of the month, 10-1pm.

Address: Whitehouse Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4QH

Tel: 01865 242900

Succeeding with SEN Ltd.

Special Educational Needs Consultant, with 10+ years experience working in Special Educational Needs, and 3+ years working as an SEN Officer in Local Authorities, including Oxfordshire. Helping parents to navigate the SEN world.

Contact Jes Allan on 07753724057 for more information.

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