Supporting SEN Children & Families: Rachel Rea on Kidlinks’ Impact

In this episode of the Neurodiverse Voices Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Rachel Rea, a passionate advocate for children and families in her community. Rachel is the lead children and family worker at Kidlinks, where she runs SEN Squirrels, a weekly session tailored for children with special educational needs. She also plays a key role in the SEND-friendly rugby sessions at Gosford All Blacks, where her husband Darren leads a team dedicated to fostering inclusion through sport.

We dive into Rachel’s journey, the inspiration behind SEN Squirrels, and how she ensures the sessions provide a calm, flexible, and welcoming space for neurodivergent children and their families. She shares insights into the challenges faced by families, from social isolation to the struggle of finding truly inclusive spaces, and highlights the power of community-driven support.

Tune in to hear heartwarming stories of resilience, inclusion, and the difference that grassroots initiatives can make. If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration and practical insight into supporting neurodivergent children, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Links:

Kidlinks