Our story: connecting families, building community

Discover the heart behind CitiSEN4u. Learn about our mission, our dedicated team, and what drives us to create a supportive and inclusive community for families in Birmingham 

Our inspiration: a community built on shared experience

We started this journey with CitiSEN4u because, as parent carers ourselves, we experienced first-hand how little support was available for families like ours. We understand the challenges, the isolation, and the need for a community that truly listens.

Our aim is simple — to make sure families feel heard, safe, supported, and never alone. We are passionate about creating an inclusive space where parents, carers, and children with disabilities and additional needs can access support, friendship, understanding, and opportunities without judgement.

Meet the heart of CitiSEN4u: Gemma and Valine

CitiSEN4u is currently volunteer-run by Gemma and Valine, who both bring lived experience, understanding, and passion to supporting families of children with disabilities and additional needs.

Gemma is mom to three children, all at different stages of their journeys, with diagnoses including autism, PDA, ADHD, and anxiety. Gemma is also autistic herself, giving her both personal and lived understanding of the challenges families can face.

Valine is mom to two autistic children who also have ADHD, anxiety, and PDA. Valine is autistic too and is passionate about helping families feel supported, accepted, and understood.

Together, they created CitiSEN4u to ensure families like theirs have a safe, welcoming, and understanding community where nobody feels alone.

What makes CitiSEN4u truly unique?

CitiSEN4u is run by people with lived experience who truly understand the realities of raising children with disabilities and additional needs. Because of this, we aim to provide a low-demand, understanding, and judgement-free service where families can feel comfortable, supported, and accepted exactly as they are.

We know that every child and family is different, so we focus on creating safe and flexible spaces that reduce pressure and allow families to access support in a way that works for them.

"CitiSEN4u is an absolute lifesaver. The support, understanding, and friendship we've found here are invaluable. It’s a place where we truly feel understood."

A grateful parent carer, Birmingham