We’ve now passed 900 signatures, and I just want to say a huge thank you. Every single signature represents someone who understands that children living in West Sussex deserve better. They deserve the same support they’d get if they lived in neighboring areas.
If you are caring for a child with Selective Mutism and haven’t yet joined us, please know there is now a growing support group of local families. We are currently arranging a meet-up to celebrate reaching 1000 signatures — and honestly, this has become my favourite part of the campaign. Families who felt completely alone are now connecting, sharing experiences, and supporting each other.
Alongside this, I’ve started reaching out to schools across West Sussex to share free, evidence-based training. I’ve already had some really positive responses — including one school who would like to meet so we can support each other. That collaboration — parent to teacher, teacher offering ideas on next steps, and parents sharing insight into what really helps — is exactly what should be happening.
Right now, both schools and families are trying to support these children without a clear pathway, and they should not have to do this blindly. They should have a shared voice.
Some schools have even shared the petition internally, which is incredibly encouraging. If you feel able to, we would really appreciate you sending the petition to your child’s West Sussex school.
We are also in discussions around larger-scale media coverage, a group of families sharing heart breaking stories, expected after the local elections. It would be amazing to reach 1000 signatures before then — this will give even more weight to what we are calling for.
If you are a West Sussex business, or have somewhere you could display a petition poster, please do get in touch:
📧 westsussexsmcampaign@gmail.com
As we approach the significant milestone of one thousand supporters, I will begin to engage further with the NHS and consider the right time to formally submit the petition to West Sussex County Council and the NHS. I will also keep you updated if this issue is selected for formal scrutiny.
Families are now sharing their experiences with the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, who are passing these directly to senior staff within the NHS and WSCC. If you have a story, quote, opinion, or experience you are willing to share, please email me — your voice matters.
We now have 916 signatures.
As always, I’ll end by reminding you of the power of one more — one more signature, one more share, one more voice can be the one that tips this into real change.
Thank you all for supporting this.
It means more then you’ll ever know ❤️
Jo