A support group for families of children with disabilities or special needs held its first meeting in Braintree this week.

Chelmsford-based charity Infocus already provides a range of support services across mid-Essex and is planning to set up a weekly drop-in centre in Braintree if there is sufficient demand.

As well as giving practical advice and information, meetings offer families the chance to meet others who are caring for children with disabilities.

Family worker Maria Bloom said: "There will be the opportunity for parents to meet other parents for mutual support and chatting. We find they get a great deal from talking to each other in a neutral setting.

"Parents with non-disabled children are able to meet in all sorts of places, but if they have children with challenging behaviour especially, it can be difficult to meet in settings which are not specifically for children with special needs."

At each meeting, family workers like Maria will be on hand to answer questions on subjects ranging from benefits to special needs parenting classes.

"We have a wide selection of packs and leaflets on different aspects of disability. Some focus on specific issues, but many give more general information," said Maria.

While trained staff will be on hand to give practical advice, the main emphasis of the meetings is on offering emotional support.

"We will be there to give emotional support, and meeting other parents helps," said Maria.

"They will be able to sit down and chat and there are people to help supervise the children and give them a break to relax."

Meetings will be held in Charles Leeks House, Coggeshall Road, Braintree, on the first Thursday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.

More details about the next meeting are available from Infocus, by calling 01245 353575.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.