I can’t quite believe our Home Education social group is turning one in October!

As the team and I prepare to mark this milestone with our community, I can’t help but reflect on the who, what, and why.

We started our Home Ed Social to share our space and skills with families who were looking to meet others who educate differently.  Through personal and professional experience, we realised there are a growing number of young people and their families/carers who have either chosen to educate at home or have found that the traditional school system is just not working for them and are now trying to find their way through the process to access something more suitable. 

What we weren’t expecting was the sheer volume of families experiencing this. 

As time has gone by, and our group has grown, we see more and more opportunities to support this community.  Our kids and their families should all have access to services and activities that facilitate learning, encourage curiosity and foster true human connections in safe and enjoyable environments for them. 

One year in, it still never fails to amaze us just how many young people, children and families are not being served by the system that should be designed to educate and support.

As an organisation built for and with neurodivergent humans, we know that in the right environment, with the right tools and support, everyone can thrive.  But we also know that it takes a village, a network, a tribe to thrive!

This made us think about how we can expand our community for these families and ourselves!  Because the other thing we have discovered over the last year is just how many wonderful community groups, CICs and small organisations exist who are offering amazing experiences.  Many of those groups are also a small team or a one-person business, wearing an endless list of hats within our organisations. 

But we all have one common goal: to improve opportunities for young people.  

Many of you reading this blog, when you think about your work, will instantly think of a young person, an opportunity or even a conversation you have had that fills you up inside because you know it made a difference to a young person. Think of all the amazing work we all do individually and then think of the unstoppable force we could be if we all come together!

If this has sparked your interest, if you would like to gather with other humans with huge hearts and a massive commitment to the learning community, a tribe with whom to share your load, share tips and tricks and be inspired by, then we have planned just the event for you! 

You’re invited to ‘Learning Differently’, The HUB Consett, Friday 2nd October 

Our new event, Learning Differently, is free for anyone interested in improving opportunities for young people. The event is free, and you’ll also be able to “Have a NEB” around the HUB building and see what the upstairs looks like!

The Learning Differently event will not feature round-robins; there will be no speed networking vibes, and we are definitely not trying to sell you anything!

It will be a warm welcome, comfortable conversations about your work, and the opportunity to learn about other vital work happening in the area. 

We think it’s a real opportunity to start something very special.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please drop me, Laura Elliot, an email or pop into the HUB Consett for more information or BOOK HERE on our events website.