A campaign by Academy of Rock demonstrating our support for siblings of those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

What is #LOVEYOURSIBLING

The #LOVEYOURSIBLING campaign was created in 2019 to show our support for siblings of those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Even in this day and age of social progress, awareness towards SEND is still lacking, with most of it being dedicated towards the parents and guardians of those families or the SEND individual themselves. However, not all families come in two or three – the experiences of the siblings of SEND individuals tend to be overlooked, with many of them going through adolescence and crucial transitional periods in their lives. With the added responsibilities of looking after their SEND siblings and parent/guardian(s), on top of external and internal expectations, their unique circumstances can render them feeling isolated in their experiences.

We want to provide a sense of belonging and solidarity for siblings of SEND individuals where they can feel comfortable enough to share their experiences with fellow siblings, as well as bond with them and their own SEND brothers and sisters through the shared language of music.

We want to let siblings of SEND know that they are not alone and that it is ok to talk about their feelings, even if they may not be the feel-good rhetoric others expect of them. Through opening a conversation, real change and solutions can come from fellow siblings and resources that can make our society even more inclusive and accepting, and that is where real progress begins.