Community & Events · 4 min read · ReadON Arabia · 12 October 2026
Professor Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari with organisers and participants at Sammarlatte, Sanad, on 10 October 2026.
On Saturday, 10 October 2026, ReadON Arabia and Special Families Support Group Bahrain came together to host Caring for the Caregiver at Sammarlatte in Sanad, Bahrain.
Held on World Mental Health Day, the non-commercial community gathering created space for parents and caregivers of children with special needs to meet, listen and connect.
For families who devote much of their time and energy to supporting a child, opportunities to come together matter. They offer a chance to step outside daily routines and be part of a community that understands why these conversations are needed.
Reflections from decades of experience
We were honoured to welcome Professor Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, whose career includes more than four decades of dedicated service in child and adolescent psychiatry in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
His talk drew on the breadth of his professional experience, touching on children, families and the people who support them. Although the event’s theme was caregiver wellbeing, the conversation extended beyond that theme, offering a wider perspective from his years of work.
We are grateful to Professor Al-Ansari for sharing his time and experience with the families who attended.
Making space for parents and caregivers
Caring for a child with additional needs can involve appointments, educational decisions, practical responsibilities and concerns about the future. Within those responsibilities, a parent’s or caregiver’s own needs can receive less attention.
The purpose of this gathering was to make room for them.
Alongside the talk, the event brought families into a shared setting where they could meet others and take part in a conversation centred on their community.
One gathering cannot address every challenge families face. It can, however, create an opportunity for connection and help keep parents and caregivers part of the wider conversation about support.
Download the parent and caregiver handbook
As part of Caring for the Caregiver, families received a practical resource prepared by Special Families Support Group Bahrain and ReadON Arabia.
We are making it available here so that parents and caregivers who could not attend can access it too.
A shared community effort
Caring for the Caregiver was jointly organised by ReadON Arabia and Special Families Support Group Bahrain.
We extend our thanks to the SFS Bahrain team, everyone who helped organise the event, and the parents and caregivers who took the time to join us.
At ReadON Arabia, we believe that listening to families and creating opportunities for connection are meaningful parts of our community work. This gathering reflected that commitment.
Coverage by Al Ayam
The event also received coverage from Al Ayam newspaper. We appreciate their attention to this community gathering and the families at its heart.
Thank you
Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to everyone who helped bring Caring for the Caregiver together.
To Professor Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, our co-organisers at Special Families Support Group Bahrain, and every parent and caregiver who joined us: thank you for being part of this gathering.
For community enquiries, contact the ReadON Arabia team.
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