Mary and Cherryl established @SENexchange just over 4 years ago.
At that time there was a gap in a central place for a weekly discussion which was SEND focussed, central place to share knowledge, expertise and resources and central place to ask for support where needed. We are delighted that the feedback we have had over the 4 years has been really positive with regards to the role of @SENexchange to provide all of the above and at the time of writing this we have established 5889 followers.
We are so lucky to have a regular group of colleagues who participate in our Wednesday evening discussions as well as others who join in as an when they are able to. The support we get for sharing information on@SENexchange and about the topic of our discussions each week is overwhelming and the positive comments about how @SENexchange has helped colleagues is heart warming. The success of @SENexchange is attributed to our followers and for that we are very grateful.
Having had a series of co-hosts to our weekly discussions has been really beneficial in being able to use particular knowledge and skills as well as areas of interest of colleagues. It has brought new ideas and energy to our discussions.
After much thought, discussion and with a heavy heart we have decided that it is time for us to hand the @SENexchange baton on to someone new who will be able to build on the foundations we have established and continue to make @SENexchange the ‘go to’ place on Twitter for a committed community of advocates for our children and young people with SEND
We have our weekly discussions and co-hosts lined up until half term and it will be then that we will hand over to @jw_teach who is going to work with you all for the next chapter in the life of @SENexchange. Our last weekly discussion with you will be on Wednesday 17th October
@SENexchange and all of the colleagues who have joined us throughout out 4 year journey mean such alot to both of us. Huge thanks go to everyone who has supported us along the way. We will both still be around on twitter and will join in @SENexchange from the sidelines – try keeping us away!
A note from Joe:
I was honoured to be offered the opportunity to facilitate the continuation of @SENexchange into its next chapter. I have spent my career working to secure the very best outcomes for children with SEND. In the classroom It is easy to exist in a bubble, not pausing to consider how your work is reliant on the skills and knowledge of others, how the children and adults you teach are part of a wider society. It is through initiatives such as @SENexchange that I was introduced to passionate and hardworking people all over Britain and further afield. Each person brought a new perspective and new ideas to broaden the discussions. This served to remove the blinkers and challenged me to rethink how I approached special education. It showed me the power of collaboration and how my actions impacted the lives of individuals, families and even wider society. To be tasked with continuing this work means I will be standing on the shoulders of our contributors, those who generously spend their time devising the questions, sharing the tweets and contributing to discussions. This week alone the #SENexchange hashtag has reached 59,000 people. Many of those people will work outside of education and the positivity and passion shown by those taking part ripples wider than twitter. Whilst not always in agreement the discussions are respectful and solution focussed often strengthening the bonds betweens advocates, schools, homes, colleges, academics, social workers and beyond.
I will continue to promote the causes you all hold dear and promise to be a passionate advocate for all those involved in putting the wings on the backs of our children. I cannot do it alone and invite anyone reading this to contact me and share their ideas for future discussions and ways to take @SENexchange forward into 2020 and beyond.
All our very best wishes to each and every one of you
