Sam Bowen
@makedoandSEND
Multi-award winning #SEND Mum & Specialist Museum Freelancer. Passionate about #SENDinMuseums #Nature #Craft. Created http://www.sendinmuseums.org My views are
My #SEND parent memoir, The Phoenix and the Unicorn is published today!! Available on @amazon as ebook, paperback and hardback, it's a gritty, honest and brave account of becoming and staying the mum Lucy made me. I couldn't be more proud, please share xx amzn.eu/d/7bDSdVS?sfns…
It takes guts to share the special truth of our love as family carers. Hats off to @EdwardJDavey for doing so. Read my story here: amzn.eu/d/b8zf9mS
Caring isn’t just my family's story, it is the story of millions, caring for each other, dealing with tough times, and keeping going with love. Sharing our story hasn't been easy, but it's important. It's time to bring carers' experiences into the light.
Some of society’s most vulnerable are being torn from their families by officials who claim their parents are fabricating illness thetimes.com/life-style/par…
Delighted that my first review for The Phoenix and the Unicorn on @AmazonUK is five stars!! If you know a 'decision maker' of the system, please ask them to read it! @Keir_Starmer @EdwardJDavey @timfarron @reallorraine @SENMAGAZINE @SpcialNdsJungle @BBCWBC
Today marks a significant milestone in the fight for Changing Places toilets - Changing Places Toilet Awareness Day, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Changing Places toilet campaign. Read more: buff.ly/h06MHPq #CPTAD2025 #ChangingPlacesToilets
With Paul & Jules on next #BBunker radio show our guest is Terry Thorpe @tentchamber @DGeast All the details here Bizradio.co.uk
#SEND in the news ... time for a balanced view? Happy to report my #SEND parent memoir, The Phoenix and the Unicorn, is out now on @amazon. Not a rose tinted story, not an easy one, but a real one. @Keir_Starmer You need to read this! @DiSpeirs 🥰 amzn.eu/d/b8zf9mS
If you only read one book this year... I had the privilege of reading an early draft of Sam's book & I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried & I felt Sam's struggle in my bones. A brilliant, heart-breaking & hopeful account of being a parent carer.
The ebook version of my memoir The Phoenix and the Unicorn is available to pre-order now on @amazon An honest, unflinching and darkly humorous account of becoming a #SEND parent and the transformative journey Lucy and I have been on. Please share 🙏 amzn.eu/d/6rLZkTW
The ebook version of my memoir The Phoenix and the Unicorn is available to pre-order now on @amazon An honest, unflinching and darkly humorous account of becoming a #SEND parent and the transformative journey Lucy and I have been on. Please share 🙏 amzn.eu/d/6rLZkTW
Two years ago, I sat in a full theatre @glasshouseicm for the @MuseumsAssoc conference key note from Jess Thom, @touretteshero. Her funny, moving & honest speech was raw and powerful. I wasn't the only one with hot tears falling at the end. This news is absolutely devastating.
I’m profoundly sad to say that as of today, I’ll no longer be able to do my job as co-artistic director of #Touretteshero because of a recent decision by #AccessToWork to cut my support by 61%. Read & share this post, the hardest I've had to write: touretteshero.com/2025/05/23/a-c… 1/4
Over to you #SEND community.
We know we can always do better in how we reflect inclusion across our materials. We’d warmly welcome photo submissions that help us continually represent the reality of inclusive and accessible play—especially those featuring disabled children, families and practitioners.
Please just adjust your message to clearly reflect your commitment on this. Photos of visibly disabled children playing, reference to the #NDS commitment to this work, quotes from #SEND parents and siblings explaining why it's important. Now more than ever, it is critical.
Our disabled children need the opportunity to play too, it seems that they have again been forgotten... @TomHayesBmouth @PlayEngland
**What is your experience of the EHCP process?** Please help me to share your experiences through my research: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/parent-… app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/educati… Seeking parents & educators of autistic children in the primary phase - project has full ethical approval. Thank you 🙏
If you've navigated the EHCP process, could you spare 5 minutes to complete my research survey? Parents: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/parent-… Educators: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/educati… Focus = support for autism in the primary phase Please share your experiences, positive & negative 🙏 Thank you!
My research is on this very topic: EHCPs, for autistic children in primary education. Parents/professionals - were you empowered or disempowered? Complete my survey & share your experiences of the EHCP process: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/parent-… app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/educati… Thank you 🙏
#EHCP shake-up considered as part of SEND reforms - adviser - Please read this story carefully and tell us your views - EHCPs only for special schools? - Only for education, no health/social care? schoolsweek.co.uk/ehcp-shake-up-…