Creating Communities That Care

Wendy Minhinnett, Lived Experience Co-production Lead

Ten years ago, while going through a difficult time as a parent, I was searching for connection and support—hoping to find others who may have been experiencing something similar. I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to set up a support group.

In November 2014, alongside my sister and in partnership with CAMHS, I co-founded the Rollercoaster Parent Support Group for parents and carers of children with emotional or mental health difficulties.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was creating a community that cared. This community started with just three people – me, my sister, and a CAMHS nurse – sat around a table for three months. I wondered if it was just me who needed support, so I’ll never forget the first parent who walked through the door. She gave me hope to keep going; I gave her hope to keep going. Gradually, over time, our support group grew from three to over 3,000.

People came to share their stories and experiences – the highs and the lows. They supported and encouraged each other. They smiled, laughed, and cried together. They drank cuppas, ate chocolate, and did activities. Friendships were formed, volunteering and job roles were created, and children and families went from surviving to thriving. There was no magic wand, but being beside someone who had walked a similar path created a safe place to belong. People got through some of the toughest times in their lives because they were less alone—and part of a community that cared. A community that got strong together and did the best they could.

After nine years of running the community, it was time for me to step aside – but I’m proud to say the group still runs (under a new name) and continues to support parents and carers. I look back now and know it took bravery to start that community, but it was each and every person who walked through the door that made it what it was. I know it took courage and vulnerability for people to walk through the door and say the words ‘I’m struggling’ – but those words led to hope and healing, because together we are stronger.

I’m about to embark on setting up a new community that cares, following a difficult couple of years with my own mental health and discovering – at age 51 – that I’m Autistic and have ADHD. True is an online support space for late-discovered (18+) Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD women to connect and belong – just as they are.

So, if you are thinking of joining or starting a community – it’s worth taking that first step and giving it a try! Just do it – reach out, there really is magic there and it takes just one person to start it!

If you want to talk to me about it please do contact me on [email protected] 

Wendy Minhinnett, Joint Lived Experience Co-Production Lead