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Attending the HENRY course has been one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. At first, I was very nervous, especially because of my past experiences with similar courses. As a parent of a child with additional needs, I’ve often felt judged or misunderstood by course leaders who didn’t seem to relate to our real-life struggles. Many just seemed to be there to do a job, not to genuinely support us.

This course, however, has been completely different.

As someone who has taken part in many parenting courses over the past three years, I can honestly say this one has been the best – not just for the practical advice, but for the emotional support as well. Steph and Chrisie, who lead the sessions, are truly fantastic. Within just a couple of weeks, they made me feel seen and understood. They helped me realise that I’m not a bad mum – I’m simply a mum who has been struggling, and that it’s okay to ask for help.

What made this course stand out is how comfortable and safe I felt. I’ve been able to speak openly without fear of being judged. It didn’t feel like sitting in a classroom being lectured at – Steph and Chrisie were relatable from day one. They shared their own experiences and made it easy to engage and take part.

The small group setting was also a huge benefit for me. I struggle with severe anxiety, and large groups can feel overwhelming. But in this group, I felt comfortable enough to join in discussions and share my thoughts. I also think the coffee morning before the course started was a brilliant idea – meeting Chrisie beforehand is what encouraged me to sign up. Knowing that both she and Steph had experience with additional needs gave me confidence.

Thanks to this course, I now feel more positive, better supported, and even inspired to take up exercise to help improve my mental health. I’ll be sad when it ends, but I’ll leave with practical tools, useful tips, and a more hopeful mindset.