🎙️The Diaries of a SEND Parent🎙️

Alexandra Kingsnorth @sendmummaofthree
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🎙️The Diaries of a SEND Parent🎙️

A heartfelt and honest podcast that gives parents and carers raising children with special educational needs and disabilities a safe space to share their journeys. From the highs of breakthrough moments to the challenges of navigating a complex system, each episode dives into real-life experiences, offering support, solidarity, and hope. Whether you’re a SEND parent yourself or someone who wants to understand more, this podcast is here to remind you—you are not alone.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 15: Lorna Breen

    Welcome back to The Diaries of a SEND parent, you are listening to episode 15 which is one incredibly close to my heart. I got the amazing opportunity to sit down with not only an inspiring SEND mum but my wonderful friend Lorna Breen. Lorna is a loving mum to her beautiful babies Alanis-Ocean who is 4 and Rayne who is 2. They are both on the pathway for an autism diagnosis, they both have special educational needs and they are both Lorna’s world. Alongside her partner Rossi, they navigate the highs and lows of SEND life with so much love, unity, and strength. Based in Manchester, Lorna has built a powerful community on Instagram as @alanis_ocean_rayne__ransford, where she shares her journey with raw honesty and deep compassion. Lorna’s story is so much more than just parenting. It’s about faith. It’s about resilience. And it’s about finding the light even on the darkest days. She is deeply spiritual, and her words, her presence, and her energy lift up everyone around her including me. Lorna is one of the most authentic, kind, and powerful women I know. Her love for her children is fierce, her message is always uplifting, and her strength is something I deeply admire. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to live with your hands full but your heart fuller ,The late nights, the tears, the advocacy, the small wins that feel like miracles and most of all, the unconditional love that carries us through. So, make yourself a cuppa, take a breath, and settle in for this emotional, honest, and deeply moving conversation with my beautiful friend, Lorna Breen. Please remember as always to show all the love and support to my incredible guest this week and if you have enjoyed the episode to share and rate the show. To follow Lorna’s journey you can follow her on Instagram @alanis_ocean_rayne_ransford.

    39 min

  2. JUN 9

    Episode 14: ASD with Sophie

    Welcome back to another episode of The diaries of a SEND Parent. I got to speak to the incredible Sophie Bradley from the well loved and known SEND account ASD with Sophie. She is an incredible married SEND mum of 6 year old William who is autistic and lives with ARFID , Pica and a sleeping disorder. We talk about a range of topics from Navigating diagnosis, managing Arfid and dealing with negativity online. We cover the positives and negatives of being a SEND mum and how she accesses support such as Respite. I’m certain those listening will get so much from this chat and I’m so excited to share this conversation with you. Please follow and show love to Sophie who can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Remember you can catch snippets of future episodes, updates and exclusive information by following the page @thediariesofasendparentpodcast If you enjoy this episode or others you can support by rating the Podcast show.

    42 min

  3. JUN 1

    Episode 13: Mr Andrew Denny

    Hello and welcome back to the Diaries of a SEND Parent. I’m your host Alexandra and I just want to say a big thank you for Joining me. Whether this is your first time listening l or you’ve been with me from the start I’m so grateful that you’re here. Now today’s episode- Episode 13 is a little different from the usual. Whilst I often talk with guests about the early years, the diagnosis journey, school battles and navigating the world of SEND, today we are shifting the focus forward. What happens after school ends? What’s out there for our young people as they grow into adulthood? I’m so excited and truly honoured to be joined today by the lovely Mr Andrew Denny, the director and founder of The Wash Club, The independence project and The independence club. Through these incredible initiatives Andrew is creating real, empowering opportunities for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities. He is helping them Build confidence, gain independence and live more meaningful lives. This episode shines a huge light on the Adult SEND community and the incredible work that Andrew and his team are doing to make sure nobody gets left behind. Please follow @thewashclubuk @ipessex on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Remember to follow the podcast @thediariesofasendparentpodcast for updates, news and episode information and if your enjoying what your listening to rate the show!

    46 min

  4. MAY 26

    Episode 12: Lisa Lloyd

    Welcome back to Episode 12 of The diaries of a SEND Parent. I’m so excited to share this conversation and so honoured that my lovely friend Lisa agreed to come on. Most of you will know Lisa from the well loved SEND account ASD_with_a_g_ and_t and as the best selling author of her incredible book Raising the SENbetweeners. She is a proud and passionate advocate for Autism and has helped and continues to help so many people. I never know what direction my conversations are going to go in until the recording and I think it’s both beautiful and inspiring that we talked more about Lisa and her diagnosis than anything else. I’m obviously biased but I just loved her honesty and vulnerability and think it’s so important that others see this side of her too. I’m not going to give anything away but I already know this conversation will go on to help others in a massive way. Please make sure if you’re enjoying the podcast that you rate the show and show love and support to Lisa. You can follow her journey on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok @asd_with_a_g_and_t. Make sure you check out her book too which is available to purchase online. You can now follow the podcast on instagram @thediariesofasendparentpodcast where you will find all the latest episode info, previews and updates so make sure you check it out.

    51 min

  5. MAY 17

    Episode 11: Nicola

    Hey guys and welcome back to another episode of The diaries of a SEND parent. I am so honoured and excited to share with you my incredible conversation with the lovely Nicola from the much loved and well known SEND account Happy hands with Hallie. Nicola is a beautiful person inside and out and shares her journey with two girls Bonnie and Hallie on social media with such love passion and heart. She is one of the first accounts I followed when my daughter was diagnosed and I continue to be inspired by her today. We talk about so much including the relief she felt in getting youngest Hallie diagnosed, homeschooling both girls and the toll it takes but most importantly she shares about her mental health and how she finds time for self-care. I just know already Nicola is going to help so many people with this chat. I hope you all find it as relatable and empowering as I did. honestly I could have spoken to her for hours!! Please remember to show love and support by rating the podcast and sharing with others. You can follow Nicola’s journey on social media by using the handle @happyhandswith_hallie

    48 min

  6. MAY 6

    Episode 10: Jade

    In todays episode I chat with the lovely Jade Russell who is most known for being one half of the incredible SEND podcast we’re not your typical which she hosts with Sophie Cobden. I invited Jade on the podcast as an opportunity to share her unique journey raising her beautiful daughter Baylee-Beau who is 3 and a half years old, autistic, has global developmental delay and is severely hyper-mobile. Baylee-Beau has two older siblings, her Brother Brody is 11 years old and her sister Blake is 9. I absolutely loved our conversation as it was brutally honest and vulnerable. Jade does not hold back and I know will help other SEND parents and carers walking similar paths feel less alone. So wherever you to chose to listen from please make sure you rate the podcast and show Jade the love and support she absolutely deserves. You can follow Jades journey as a SEND mummy on instagram @iamjaderussell and check out her and Sophie’s podcast @werenotyourtypical

    46 min

  7. APR 25

    Episode 9: Leona

    In episode 9 of the diaries of a SEND parent I got to sit down with the Lovely Leona a powerhouse SEND mum to 5 year old son Arthur who is Autistic, Non- verbal, has Pica and a learning disability. She is also mummy to her 2 and half year old daughter Emmie who is not only beautiful but sassy too 😊 Leona’s journey as a full-time carer is deeply rooted in her own lived experience having grown up with younger brother Daxy who was diagnosed with Aspergers many years ago Her understanding of the SEND world is raw, real and incredibly moving and in this episode we talk about everything from navigating daily routines to meeting Arthurs sensory needs and how overwhelming it can all feel at times we also dive into the quiet grief that comes when your child is given a diagnosis and the process of finding yourself again. It’s honest emotional and filled with moments every parent will relate to. You are not alone in this journey and this episode is a powerful reminder of that. Please remember to support this podcast by leaving it a 5 star review as it helps to push it out to a wider audience and remember as always show all the support and love for Leona 🙌🏻 You can follow Leona on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @leonajadesmith where you will find her journey as a SEND mum.

    50 min

  8. APR 20

    Episode 8: Chelle

    On Todays episode I had the pleasure of sitting down with my amazing friend Chelle who is a married SEND mum to two incredible boys Bobby and Mickey. The boys are both Autistic, non-speaking and have global developmental delays. We talk about everything from mental health, respite and the complexities of finding and getting support. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the resilience so many SEND parents carry, often quietly and behind closed doors. Chelle’s honesty is so refreshing, and I know her story will resonate with so many of you listening. So whether you’re on a long walk, running errands, hiding in the kitchen for five minutes of peace, or just need to hear another voice that gets it — this one’s for you. Please show Chelle all the love and support and if you have enjoyed listening please give the podcast a 5star rating. **DISCLAIMER** please note during this conversation we talk about SEND reform ENGLAND which we both volunteer for . This is a not for profit organisation and the work we do is completely voluntary ***

    48 min
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About

A heartfelt and honest podcast that gives parents and carers raising children with special educational needs and disabilities a safe space to share their journeys. From the highs of breakthrough moments to the challenges of navigating a complex system, each episode dives into real-life experiences, offering support, solidarity, and hope. Whether you’re a SEND parent yourself or someone who wants to understand more, this podcast is here to remind you—you are not alone.

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