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New support for young carers and siblings in Harrogate

Wednesday, 8 October 2025 07:04

The Sibling Group in Harrogate is expanding its services.

A new initiative is being launched in Harrogate to support young people aged 11 to 16 who have a disabled brother or sister.

The Sibling Group, a local organisation that already runs support groups for children aged 5 to 11, is expanding its services to include older siblings.

The new sessions aim to give young people a chance to connect with others who share similar experiences, build friendships and simply have fun in a space designed for them.

The Sibling Group was founded by CEO Grace Williams, an experienced specialist teacher with training in supporting children and adults with Special Educational Needs and their families.

Inspired by her own experience growing up with a younger brother, Oscar, who has complex needs, Grace set up the organisation to help siblings feel seen, supported and understood.

Speaking about the idea behind the new support group, she said:

“Children and young people who have a disabled brother or sister face stress, isolation and loneliness.

“They often take on a care giving role for their disabled brother or sister.

“This means they can miss out on things other children their age are doing. It can also lead to negative impacts on mental health and academic outcomes.”

The new groups will take place on Thursday evenings and will be led by staff and volunteers who have relevant experience or personal insight into life as a young carer or sibling.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the sessions can contact the office manager via email at hannah@thesiblinggroup.org.

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