Mental health awareness week 2025

This month we have been supporting mental health week, which has focused on the theme of community. Our latest spotlight blog for young siblings talks about how having people around you or looking at our YoungSibs pages can support you as a sibling.

Here are some useful links to explore.

How can I help them play together? – Parent tip

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your disabled or neurodivergent child and their sibling to spend positive time together. Finding games and activities that all of your children can enjoy can sometimes feel tricky – especially during half term break. Check out our recommendations here. We would love to hear about what has worked well for your family, do let us know.

Last call – Sibling Group Leader training (young siblings)

Our next training session will run online on 16^th June for anyone who wants to run a sibling group for children. This session will give you all the information you need to plan, run and evaluate your own local siblings group. It is also an opportunity for those already running a group to gain new ideas. To find out more and book your place, check out our webpage here.

Final Opportunity to Take Part in the OASIS Sleep Study – Focusing on Children with Complex Needs and Their Siblings

Researchers from the University of Birmingham are in the final month of recruiting families for the OASIS Sleep Study, a fully remote research project exploring sleep and wellbeing in children with intellectual or complex needs and their same-household siblings (aged 4–15 years).
The study aims to better understand how sleep affects both children with additional needs and their siblings, with the goal of supporting family wellbeing more effectively.
What’s involved?

A brief online questionnaire and a follow-up phone call with a caregiver
10 days of sleep monitoring using a small wrist-worn movement tracker for both children
Completion of a simple sleep and behaviour diary by caregivers

Each family will receive a personalised sleep and behaviour report for each child. These reports have proven helpful for gaining insight into children’s sleep patterns and for sharing with schools or health professionals.
This is the final opportunity to take part in the study.
If you are interested or would like to learn more, please email the research team at: [email protected]