We’ve done it. Over 1,000 people have stood up and said anxiety shouldn’t steal childhood.
I’m still taking in what this means.

Less than 7 weeks ago, I was lying in bed feeling silly for even creating this petition. I didn’t know if anyone would care, or listen, or understand. I just knew children in West Sussex were suffering in silence and something had to change.

And now… more than 1,000 of you have stood with them.
You’ve shown these families they’re not alone.
You’ve shown these children that their voices matter, even when anxiety takes them away.
You’ve shown that community can be powerful, compassionate, and loud when it needs to be.

Thank you — truly — for every signature, every share, every message, every moment you took to care about children you may never meet. This milestone is huge, and it belongs to all of us.

If any of our selective mutism families are reading this and haven’t yet found our Facebook community, please join us:
West Sussex Selective Mutism Support Hub.

We’re also planning a picnic soon — our first time meeting in person.
A space where our children will meet others like them.
Where parents will finally be surrounded by people who understand.
Where we can celebrate this milestone together and remind each other that this is only the beginning. 💛

Thank you for helping us get here.
Thank you for standing with our children.
And thank you for believing that West Sussex can do better.

This is just the beginning. 💛✨