We are a Committed Charity,
Supporting Neurodivergent Young People and Their Families
in the West Midlands, UK.
Who We Are
Founded in 2004 by the late David Wort, Family Equip emerged from the need for consistent and meaningful support for young autistic people as well as young people with ADHD, learning disabilities and various mental health conditions in the West Midlands.
Around Family Equip exists a small community of amazing families who support each other, and we want more families to be a part of it. We welcome the families of children, teenagers and young adults with a wide range of levels of needs - see what we offer.
We are a trusted ally for many families and young people - David has left a most notable legacy.
See Meet the Team to learn more about who we are.
"We try and enable young people to realise that it's alright to be different - to have a different way of thinking. It isn't anything to be ashamed of. We want to build their confidence to be who they are."
- David Wort
"We are pleased about Family Equip and the way it has influenced our community in different ways. Many of the young people we have supported in the past now give back as volunteers, supporting new children and their parents."
- David Wort
Getting Support - Step by Step
1. Get in Touch
Contact us by email and tell us a bit about your young person - we will respond to you as quickly as possible.
2. Have a Chat
Have a two-way conversation over email/phone about your family's needs, and together we can determine how we can best support you.
3. Meet Up
If it is more comfortable, then your family is welcome to meet a couple of our team in a public place or in your home first, before you attend events.
Family Equip were a real life line when no-one else would support us.
Why Family Equip?
We all draw on our wealth of experience to make all reasonable adjustments we can at our events, often thinking outside the box to ensure that as many families as possible can be a part of our community.
Our Key Support Services
Therapeutic Clubs
We currently have spaces free in our clubs for neurodivergent young people. This could change so get in touch if interested!
Our clubs welcome people with a wide range of support needs, and provide a safe space to unmask, have fun and meet new people.
At every club, parents and carers are welcome to gather in a separate room with refreshments. This group is always facilitated by a team member.
Siblings' Therapeutic Clubs
We currently have spaces free in our clubs for the siblings of neurodivergent young people. This could change so get in touch if interested!
These individuals, often aware and influenced by the needs of their siblings, deserve a welcoming space of their own to meet their peers who have similar families, to have group discussions, to share their experiences, and most importantly, have fun!
We create a welcoming space for parents/carers of neurodivergent young people to come together, connect and share their experiences.
We have a group that meets during therapeutic clubs in a separate room, and another group that meets monthly, outside of the clubs.
Through these groups we aim to create a sense of community and belonging, and to enable families to support each other.
Stay and Play
Our stay and play is to support the families of children with higher needs who would not suit our usual therapeutic clubs.
The whole family is welcome to the group which is run monthly, always on a Saturday morning.
There's a great role play area, a very small soft play, table tennis and an enclosed outside space with various ride-ons, bikes and scooters!
Family Fun Nights
At our Family Fun Nights, Family Equip welcomes whole families to come together - children, teenagers, adults, siblings and parents/carers.
Our evenings feature engaging activities, games, food and refreshments and meaningful group discussions.
Trips and Socials
We regularly run trips for all our members to a whole host of destinations such as museums, activity centres and theme parks.
We also love hosting evening socials for our older members.
Workshops
We run series of three weekly workshops at the Bridge where we help a small group of young people in a particular area, such as:
- Confidence
- Overcoming anxiety
- Managing anger
- Bereavement support
Help is on the way
Take the first step and contact us.
You can email us at any time.