Colorful, hand-painted rainbow with five stripes in pink, orange, blue, green, and black, on a transparent background.

Welcome to The Challenge Group

A warm & welcoming space in Muswell Hill, North London for families of children with additional or specialist needs to meet, share & feel supported.

We are an inclusive, free support group who meet weekly on a Monday during Haringey school holidays to offer space for the children to play, and an opportunity for parents & carers to feel less alone.

Two colorful handprints, one blue and one yellow, intertwined with a black ribbon symbolizing awareness and support for a cause.

You can expect

A colorful circus-themed cake with red, yellow, and blue decorations and two spherical cake pops on top.

Toys & Games for the Children

A steaming cup of hot tea with a tea bag, decorated with a heart and orange dots, in a green mug.

Tea & Cake

Colorful illustrated bouquet of flowers with pink, purple, white, and yellow blooms, tied with a pink ribbon.

Beautiful flowers gifted each week

Five diverse people seated in a circle having a discussion on a blue rug.

Kind, sympathetic words & support

Our Challenge Family

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Our Challenge Family

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Our Challenge Family ~ Our Challenge Family ~

A group of people, including children and adults, is gathered outdoors on a sunny day, holding blue and white balloons and ribbons, part of Challenge Group Muswell Hill Haringey

Who is the Challenge Group For?

Families who attend Challenge Group are navigating a range of situations and conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Down’s syndrome or Genetic Conditions.

You can expect a place where you won't feel judged and where we hope you can relax a little and connect. If your child can't be in the main room, a team member will still come alongside you and bring you a drink and cake and be there to connect. It's a place to have a normal playgroup experience where you can be comfortable, feel supported and not feel alone.

We welcome Primary School and Younger Children to the Challenge Group.

Siblings are welcome to attend.

Parents can attend the group solo.

The group is here for people of all heritages, sexualities, faiths and beliefs.

Celia and Maia, founders of Challenge Group Muswell Hill Haringey hugging and smiling on a sandy beach with the ocean and blue sky in the background.

The group is run by Celia & Maia

I wanted to find somewhere to connect and feel safe — a playgroup experience that felt normal and away from all the hospital appointments but somewhere I could be authentic and cry if I wanted to and be with others who understood.

I wanted a place where I would feel listened to and neither me nor my child feel judged — to be heard, rather than be given tasks of what to do — to feel my child was celebrated rather than being told everything she was not doing.

What our community say about Challenge Group

  • On my first ever meeting, I was given a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a big hug from someone who “gets it”, it brought me to tears. Witnessing my twins smiling and giggling while loving Maia made soap bubbles for them.

    Franca (Mum of 4 with Autistic Twins)

  • I would describe Challenge as a place where I feel accepted and loved at that difficult time. Share your worries and be listened to.

    Aimbora (Mum of a daughter with Down’s syndrome)

  • Challenge is a warm, welcoming and inclusive group with zero judgment where both parents and children with additional needs feel supported. A much needed breather!

    Liana (Mum to a little boy diagnosed with autism)

  • I’ve had lots of happy memories at Challenge. Being connected with others/making friends with other mums in my situation, seeing Casey in an environment where he can just play and be himself without feeling that people are staring or being judgemental. Getting involved with exhibitions and of course receiving beautiful flowers and enjoying great cakes

    Lucy (Mum to a little boy diagnosed with autism)

  • I remember feeling relaxed knowing my son was playing safely and happily while I was offered a massage. I remember the ladies offering tea, cakes and big smiles. I loved celebrating informally the kid's birthdays. I enjoyed the songs together. And it's so nice meeting other parents in similar situations.

    Anne (Mum to a son with a rare genetic condition & global development delay)

  • The first day l attended the group l was watching my son like a hawk in case he upset some of the parents. It had become second nature. When Celia came to me and said “you can sit down have a cup of coffee we’ll watch him”

    Crystal (Mum to a little boy diagnosed with Autism)

  • The difference with this group is that it’s about the wellbeing of the parent as well as the child. You don’t just get a bit of a rest and a cup of tea because your child is playing you get people who are willing to listen who also understand what you are going through.

    Sharon (Mum of 2 with a daughter born with Down’s syndrome)

  • Everyone is welcome, everyone is valued. Children with difficult behaviours are accepted & loved not turned away. The massages, flowers & delicious cakes & goodies all free of charge add to the appeal.

    Charlene (Mum of 4 with a son born with Down’s syndrome)

Helpful Information

Challenge Group is located at the Muswell Hill Methodist Church, 28 Page's Lane, Muswell Hill, Haringey, N10 1PP.

Every Monday during the school holidays 10:30am - 12pm.

Parking is available outside of the Church, or it is an 8 minute walk from Muswell Hill broadway. There are local buses which place you very nearby (134, 43, 234).

You don’t need to book but if you’re new you might like to contact us in advance to let us know you’re joining.

We welcome Primary School and Younger Children to the Challenge Group.

A stylized yellow sun with multicolored oval rays in pink, blue, green, and orange
 

We do post on Social Media a little bit… but we are most active on our welcoming WhatsApp group, get in touch if you’d like to be added.