At The Neumark Foundation, we like to keep up to speed with the support and interventions that are available across North Wales to improve the lives of children and young people, to see if we can help through grant support for initiatives that fit within the foundations’ remit. So, on Thursday 2nd November our Project Funding Manager Philippa went along to the North Wales Disability Information Sharing Event 2023, organised by North Wales CIC Stand, and funded by the Wales Lottery Community Fund, at Venue Cymru, Llandudno to meet some of the wonderful charities and organisations currently providing support for children, young people and families living with differences.
“It was fantastic to see so many organisations on the day, including organisations we already support including Chloe’s and Sophie’s Special Ears Fund (CSSEF) who are busy working with schools and in the community brightening the lives of Deaf children and young people, strengthening Deaf communities and breaking down barriers to reaching their true potential, and Hope House Children’s Hospice with their incredible hospice and community support for children, young people and families facing life shortening conditions at the most difficult times of their lives. This event is really fantastic as an information point for people who need it within their own lives and also as a networking and learning opportunity for those professionals working within the field.”
Philippa Davies, Project Funding Manager for The Neumark Foundation
Philippa chatted to many of the organisations from third sector, public sector and even private sector all of whom specialise in specific support, including Outside Lives, Contact and Our Spaces.
Outside Lives
Outside Lives, a community led social enterprise, (https://www.outsidelivesltd.org), led by Lucy Powell, and based just outside Mold, near Maeshafn, focuses on actively bringing together members of the community. Connecting people through shared interests, providing activities and events that support personal wellbeing and growth, whilst also celebrating and protecting the natural world.
They work with community members and partners, to co-design and create sustainable, meaningful, and purposeful activities that help to strengthen relationships and form networks.
Outside Lives is a community led social enterprise, set up by the people, for the people.
They are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity and diversity across everything they do, ensuring that they offer a place of genuine inclusion for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability.
Your Space
Your Space (https://www.yourspacewales.co.uk) is a small charity that supports children and young people with Autism, and their families, based in Llay, Wrexham. A child or young person does not need a diagnosis of Autism to attend their sessions. They run fun and social after school and holiday clubs for the children and young people they support.
Your Space provides a network of support for our families through their Outreach Team and Family Support Service, and although they are a small charity, they have a wide reach across, Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Shropshire and Powys.
Contact
Contact (https://contact.org.uk) a national charity, but with a North Wales arm, was founded in the 1970s by families of disabled children, who recognised that even though their child’s conditions were different, they shared a common experience – of being a family with a disabled child. They understood how important it is to support each other.
A lot has changed since the organisation was first founded, but as they highlight, some things haven’t changed nearly enough. The organisation identifies that there is still a desperate lack of services and support for the 620,000 parents in the UK who care for a disabled child. As a result, families face a huge range of challenges and many feel isolated and alone. Coping with extra financial costs and practical challenges can put an enormous strain on daily life, with families more likely to face emotional issues, stress and anxiety.
We are here for all families with disabled children – supporting families, bringing families together and helping families take action for others.
Our vision is that families with disabled children feel valued and are strong, confident and able to make the decisions that are right for them.
As a charity they have a really holistic wrap around focus, including;
- Support for families – Providing the best possible advice and guidance
- Policy, campaigns and research – Challenging discrimination and inequality
- Parent Carer Support
- Not-for-profit shop – clothing and specialist equipment
- Programmes and Initiatives
- Training and Consultancy
Thank you to everyone involved on the day with the information stands and also the workshops, what a fantastic event, well done!