Bourne2Shine group is supporting families with the help of town businesses

A support group for parents and children is going from strength to strength.

Bourne2Shine is run by mum Lisa Jackman to help people who have children with special educational needs or disabilities.

Lisa Jackman set up the group just over a year ago for families living in the Bourne area or who have children attending the Willoughby School in the town, which supports pupils with complex learning needs.

Bourne2Shine now has 187 members and is working with a number of local businesses to ensure families are offered additional support, including meeting places and activities for their children.

Lisa, who used to run the Little Miracles group for the area, said parents of children with disabilities or conditions such as autism can face difficult choices when it comes to socialising, but Bourne2Shine helps children to make friends and play in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Lisa said: “We have been supported by the Sugar Mill in Bourne, where we have a coffee morning on Mondays before the pub opens and since September we have been holding a teatime club at Escape, the indoor play centre in Bourne, where children can have a meal and drinks and the adults get a free drink.

“The aim is to build a support network for families and to give people the chance to find advice, friendship and feel they are not alone. It is also great for the children to somewhere they can make friends and be active.”

Bourne2Shine is not a charity but has received support from town businesses Escape, the Sugar Mill, Mod N Ink tattoo studio, The Cedars Care Home and RJ Scholes.

On December 17 the group is holding ‘Snacks with Santa’ at the Sugar Mill.

People can find out more about Bourne2Shine by visiting the group’s Facebook page or by sending Lisa a text or WhatsApp message on 07984 020640.