The Heart Behind Sunflower SEND Hub: Our Story Begins Here

My name is Tina, and I am mummy to three beautiful girls. Each of their experiences within the SEND system has shaped the heart and purpose behind Sunflower SEND Hub, our nurturing, sensory-led alternative provision here in Haverhill, Suffolk.

This is our story — a story of resilience, heartbreak, and hope for families affected by special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

🌻My Eldest: When “Doing Well” Isn’t the Whole Story

My eldest daughter completed school and her first year of college, but it came at a cost. The pressures of mainstream education deeply affected her mental health, and she now struggles with anxiety.

Her journey taught me that success on paper does not always reflect a child’s true experience.

🌻My Middle Daughter: Thriving in the Right Environment

At 15, I deregistered my middle daughter from mainstream school. The environment simply wasn’t meeting her needs.

Today, she attends college three days a week and she is thriving. Her confidence has grown. Her joy for learning has returned.

She showed me that children flourish when their environment fits their needs.

🌻Olivia: My Youngest, My Strength, My Turning Point

Olivia, my youngest, has autism, global developmental delay, limited safety awareness, and is non-verbal. She deserved a school that understood her and kept her safe.

But that was not what we were offered.

🌻The Year Olivia Was Denied a Specialist School

When Olivia was not offered a specialist school place, everything changed. It shattered me.

I took six months off work due to anxiety and depression. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed. My eldest had to help get Olivia ready because I was struggling to cope.

This is the reality many SEND parents face — constant battles, constant “no’s”, constant strain.

🌻The Financial Impact and My Nursing Career

Nursing is my passion. It grounds me and supports my ADHD by keeping me focused.

But the fight for Olivia’s education became too heavy. I resigned from my permanent nursing role.

This created significant financial strain and impacted my mental health even further.

🌻Therapy, Medication, and More Heartbreak

I privately funded therapy and began medication. Slowly, I began to rebuild.

Then the next round of school placements came.

And again — no suitable school. We were offered placements more than an hour away, completely inappropriate for a child with Olivia’s needs.

It felt like everything was falling apart again.

🌻 The Turning Point: Creating My Own Alternative Provision

I knew I couldn’t go through another breakdown. I told Olivia’s caseworker:

“If there is no suitable provision for her, I will create my own.”

And I did.

Sunflower SEND Hub was born from lived experience, desperation, determination, and love. A calm, sensory-led, space for children who cannot thrive in mainstream or are out of school awaiting placement.

A place where children feel safe. A place where parents feel heard.

🌻The Brightest Chapter: Olivia Is Now Thriving

Today, Olivia is finally in the right specialist school, and she is absolutely thriving.She is happy, supported, and flourishing.

And I can finally breathe.

Another example that in the right environment, our sunflowers thrive,

🌻And Me? I’m Back to Nursing — and Back to Myself

I have returned to nursing — the job that gives me purpose and joy. Alongside this, I have created the most beautiful space within Sunflower SEND Hub.

A space filled with warmth, understanding, and connection. A space where children who do not fit the system can finally shine.

I have met incredible families and professionals along the way, and for the first time in a long time, life feels positive again.

🌻Why I Share This

I share this because no SEND parent should feel alone. No SEND child should be left without the support they need. No family should break under the pressure of fighting for their child’s basic rights.

Sunflower SEND Hub exists because Olivia deserved better —and so do all our children.

Together we grow.🌻

Together we shine.🌻

My beautiful Olivia 🌻