6 Week Support Block - Anxiety & Masking

For parents/carers living in Bristol, North Somerset, South Glos and BaNES

About this group

A 6week course and discussion group designed to help you understand and support your child with anxiety and masking issues. No diagnosis is required to join this group.

Each week will begin with a presentation from facilitators on key topics. The rest of the session is an opportunity to get to know each other, ask questions and share experiences. The group will give you in depth information about the underlying causes of anxiety and masking and how you can help your child.

When

The group will meet online using zoom on Thursday's starting on 8th January 2026 from 6.30-8.30pm for 6 weeks. Places are limited and attendees are expected to attend all sessions.

Sessions will be held on

• 8th January 2026 - Introduction
• 15th January 2026 - What is Masking
• 22nd January 2026 - How to help your child with masking
• 29th January2026 - Sensory processing and anxiety
• 5th February 2026 - Social anxiety
• 12th February 2026 - Supporting your child with anxiety

Where

The group will be held online via Zoom. Details will be sent out nearer to the time. If you have never used Zoom before please see our BAS Zoom guide

Feedback from previous attendees

" The group has given me confidence and knowledge about why a child masks, what effect it has on the child and strategies most importantly"

" Varied content and lived experience of the providers - so valuable"

" It was brilliant I learned a lot and got lots of tips to help my son. Thank you BAS!"

Facilitators

Laura Hughes

Laura is a single mum to two daughters, the youngest is autistic. She is an experienced Personal Development Coach who has worked with neurodivergent clients of all age ranges and has worked as a Peer Educator and Wrap Around Coordinator for BAS.

This group is made possible thanks to funding from the NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.