Help us to continue providing our vital service
As a small, independent charity, Footprints Conductive Education Centre relies almost entirely on the generosity of individuals and businesses to keep supporting disabled children and their families in the Nottinghamshire area.
Why we need your support
In the past year, we helped 81 children – children experiencing a range of impairments including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome and global development delay. Despite the considerable financial challenges faced (by many small charities), we are immensely proud that more than 90% of our pre-school children who moved on to school ‘graduated’ to mainstream education.
A high number of services – statutory and voluntary – help children progress, and we passionately believe that FOOTPRINTS CEC also makes a significant contribution. Greater independence, access to mainstream services and making friends depends on being able to do the day-to-day activities others take for granted. Our focus on developing vital communication and movement skills, and practising daily tasks such as eating, drinking, going to the toilet and seeking help, better equips children to go to school, attend appointments and take part in social activities.
Last year, for the first time, we systematically analysed parental evaluations and professional assessments to better understand the impact of our pre-school service as a whole.
Our first year’s results showed:
- 91% of children supported developed better movement and coordination skills
- 86% grew in self-confidence
- 90% achieved their individual goals
“You can take from me that this tiny place genuinely and fundamentally changes the lives of these special little children and the lives of their parents – I know this because it’s changed our lives and I’ve seen it change others too. Some parents are without hope before they find FOOTPRINTS.” Parent
We must raise a minimum of £17,000 a month to provide our Conductive Education and support services. Our early intervention support gives disabled children the opportunity to gain the confidence, essential skills and quality of life that many non-disabled people take for granted.
Your support really will make a difference. Please donate now to help us help disabled children achieve their potential and the chance to lead a more normal life with their parents.
Please read what our parents have to say about how our work changes children’s and parent’s lives for the better.
How your donation will help
- £3,300 will transform the lives of parent and child, giving practical advice and emotional support to one of our families for one year
- £1,000 will purchase low and high technology communication aids and sensory toys
- £500 will provide new supplies of books to support our specialised pre-reading and writing skills work
- £100 purchase materials for our topics each term: colours, the weather, where people work, things that move.
- £85 will give a parent hope by providing a single parent and child session for one of our new families
- £25 buys a supply of bubbles, chewy tubes and other equipment to help with our speech therapy project for children with Down’s syndrome.
There are lots of other ways you can support us too. Click here to find out more.
Logan’s story told by Danny Dyer for BBC Children in Need http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p037zt2n