This episode explores the overwhelming life admin families face when raising a child with a brain condition. Carrie, Sam and guest Rachel Wright unpack the emotional weight of endless paperwork and share practical, compassionate strategies to help parents feel less alone.

Joined by Rachel Wright, founder of Born at the Right Time, qualified nurse and parent to children with complex needs, this episode offers honest conversation, reassurance and practical strategies for managing the hidden second job that so often comes with parenting in the SEND world. A validating listen for any parent feeling overwhelmed by the systems surrounding their child.

The episode covers:

1. The emotional toll of constant paperwork and appointments
2. EHCPs, assessments and advocating within complex systems
3. Coordinating healthcare, education and social care support
4. Managing information overload and staying organised
5. Why parent carers need support too

You’ll also hear lived experiences, practical advice and compassionate reflections to help families feel less alone while navigating the day-to-day realities of raising a child with a brain condition.

Connect with us:

Find out more: cerebra.org.uk

Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/cerebracharity/

Get in touch: calm@cerebra.org.uk

Follow Rachel Wright @bornatRightTime or connect with her https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wright-0610509a/

https://www.bornattherighttime.com

Connect with Mike Richmond@tutor_doctor_nwleeds

www.linkedin.com/in/mistermiketd

https://www.tutordoctor.co.uk/resources/

Useful Resources:

SENDIASS: https://www.sendiass.org.uk

IPSEA (education rights and SEND law): https://www.ipsea.org.uk

Contact (support for families with disabled children): https://contact.org.uk

Episode 2 explores 'Day One' - the moment a parent first suspects something may be different about their child.

Joined by community paediatrician and parent Dr Karen Russell, Carrie and Sam unpack the shock, grief cycles and uncertainty that so many families face. A compassionate, validating episode for anyone navigating those early signs and unanswered questions.

Cerebra – support, guides and resources for families of children with brain conditions (www.cerebra.org.uk)

The episode covers:

- The challenges of waiting for a diagnosis, or living without one

- System’s Generated Trauma

- Navigating autism, neurological conditions, and rare disorders

- Advocating for your child within the healthcare system

- Why protecting your own mental health is essential from day one

You’ll also hear real experiences from families, alongside practical advice on finding support. Helpful organisations mentioned include:

- Cerebra – support, guides and resources for families of children with brain conditions (www.cerebra.org.uk)

- https://cerebra.org.uk/download/after-diagnosis-what-now/

- https://cerebra.org.uk/download/information-and-support-for-parents-of-a-child-recently-diagnosed-with-a-genetic-condition/

- https://cerebra.org.uk/download/systems-generated-trauma-report/

- SWAN UK – support for families without a confirmed diagnosis (www.swanuk.org.uk)

- National Autistic Society – advice, support and local groups (www.autism.org.uk)

Contact has a comprehensive library (https://contact.org.uk/conditions/) of condition specific information and associated support groups.

Unique - support for families affected by rare chromosome and gene disorders (www.rarechrome.org)

Welcome to The Calm in the Complicated - a podcast for families raising children with brain conditions.

In this first episode, hosts Carrie Grant and Dr Samantha Flynn share their own journeys both personal and professional, and the hopes behind creating a space where SEND parents can feel understood. Warm, honest and full of lived experience, it’s the perfect introduction to a community built on empathy and support.

The Calm in the Complicated: Guiding families through childhood brain conditions with expertise and heart. Brought to you by Cerebra, the UK charity dedicated to helping families find a better life together.

For more information please visit cerebra.org.uk

Follow us on Instagram at @cerebracharity

Follow us on Facebook at @CerebraCharity

Follow us on LinkedIn at @cerebra-charity

Or email us at calm@cerebra.org.uk

Welcome to The Calm in the Complicated - a podcast created for every family who has ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or alone while raising a child with a brain condition. Hosted by Dr Carrie Grant MBE and researcher Dr Samantha Flynn, the series brings together lived experience, expert wisdom, and the kind of honest conversations that make you exhale and think, “Finally… someone gets it.”

Shaped entirely by parent carers, the podcast explores the moments they told us matter the most - the fear of those first suspicions that something is wrong, the mountain of admin, the strain on relationships, the sleepless nights, and the quiet fight to look after your own wellbeing. Each episode includes real voice notes from parents across the UK, making this a space where families’ voices aren’t just included, they’re central.

With practitioners, researchers, and parent campaigners joining the conversation, The Calm in the Complicated offers connection, comfort, and practical support. It’s a virtual village for anyone navigating the complexities of childhood brain conditions. It’s a place to feel understood, uplifted, and reminded that you don’t have to do this alone.

The Calm in the Complicated: Guiding families through childhood brain conditions with expertise and heart. Brought to you by Cerebra, the UK charity dedicated to helping families find a better life together.

For more information please visit cerebra.org.uk

Follow us on Instagram at @cerebracharity