Research reveals 69% of families never receive support caring for their disabled children outside their close friends or family.

The UK’s leading children’s charities will fight for better health and social care for disabled children, young people and their families under the newly-formed Disabled Children’s Partnership.

The new coalition, which comprises of 28 charities, has formed as new research reveals a staggering 69% of families never receive support caring for their disabled child beyond their own close friends or family.

Recent figures estimate that £3.2bn was cut from a range of children’s early social care and welfare services between 2010 and 2015, leaving service and provision severely lacking across the UK.

The gap in health and social care services means that British families face enormous difficulties in accessing even the most basic support.

The Disabled Children’s Partnership will launch a major new campaign in England in the summer of 2017 to tackle this challenge.

With nearly half of the British public claiming not to know anyone with a disability, the campaign will bring the realities of the challenges that disabled children, young people and their families face closer to the public and decision-makers. The Disabled Children’s Partnership will call on the Government to urgently address the current gap in provisions.

Jane is a mum of twins – Jemima and Jessica, aged 19. Jemima is severely autistic and according to her special school, ‘the most complex young person at the school’. Her autism, along with her other health needs, make life very difficult and at times incredibly painful.

Jane said:

“Throughout her life, Jemima has had no support from anyone other than myself, her sister, Jessica, and our immediate family.

“I’ve never spent a night away from Jemima. Help is not something I knew I could ask for and not something that was ever offered outside school and Challengers.”

Amanda Batten, Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership and Chief Executive of Contact a Family, said:

“It is shocking that in this country 69% of disabled children never receive support outside their close friends or family. Yet, disabled children and their families still remain a glaring absence from the Prime Minister’s social reform agenda.

“This must be urgently addressed if the Government truly aspire to deliver a Britain that works for everyone.

“That is why the Disabled Children’s Partnership will be campaigning to ensure that the services and support disabled children and their families deserve are there when they need them, are easily accessible and more consistently provided.”

Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and its supporting business, Newlife Trading Ltd, have merged to become ‘Newlife, the Charity for Disabled Children’.

Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said:

“Working together as one charity we can concentrate on our mission to support more disabled and terminally ill children around the UK. Simply put, we want to change lives.”

Newlife has provided more than £17million of specialist equipment for nearly 15,000 children around the UK. Right now, the charity is working with a further 722 families with combined equipment needs of £840,820. To find out more about how Newlife supports local families in your area, go to: www.newlifecharity.co.uk and click on the County Map.

The charity offers a range of services: Equipment Grants make permanent provision of items like wheelchairs and walking frames for mobility and specialist beds and car seats for safety; Emergency Equipment Loans, often within 72 hours, provide a fast response for families of life-limited and terminally ill children and those sleeping in unsafe environments; Play Therapy Pods offer loans of sensory toys for children with complex needs; Comfort Capsules help families of terminally ill children make memories together.

All of the charity’s services are accessed through the Newlife Nurse Helpline – 0800 902 0095; email nurses@newlifecharity.co.uk.

R82 UK, a world-leading specialist in assistive products for disabled children, has launched its revolutionary foldable Scallop seating system, available through its new product webshop – www.Also4Me.com

The Scallop from R82 is a lightweight and portable solution that assists children of all ages who require additional support when sitting on the floor or in a chair. Suited for children with GMFCS level 1 – 3, it consists of a folding fabric structure and simple strapping that is adjustable and offers wrap-around ‘shell-like’ postural support for children with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida.

Originally designed by talented Swansea university student Keira Gwynn, the Scallop has been developed by R82 in close collaboration with users, families and therapists. It provides extra stability for children when sitting, along with tactile stimulation and reassurance, and facilitates increased occupational performance. R82 began working with Keira whilst she continued her studies and on completion of her degree, offered her a position at the parent company in Denmark as a Product Designer. This has allowed Keira to drive the evolution of the Scallop concept resulting in a worldwide launch to market at the Rehacare exhibition last month.

The R82 Scallop is a unique concept. It can be used for indoor or outdoor floor sitting or as a chair attachment providing young users with flexible, comfortable seating options. It is available in a range of sizes, styles and fun colours and weighs less than 2kg so highly portable when travelling away from home. It allows children to sit longer and improves seating alignment and balance with better postural control of the lower back. The Scallop can also be beneficial for early intervention programmes focused on improved trunk and pelvic positioning.

John Preater, R82 UK Managing Director comments:

“Scallop is so fantastic and so simple. As soon as we began working with Keira on the original concept we knew this product was going to offer something special. It is lightweight, portable and requires no training or tools to adjust, perfect for families when out eating at restaurants or going on holiday. R82 is always focused on ergonomic, innovative solutions that make life easier and more enjoyable for children with disabilities – the Scallop does just that.”

The launch of the new Scallop coincides with the new Also4Me webshop. This new website provides easy ordering of the Scallop online and will be used in the future to provide products for children with mild to moderate disabilities. Also4Me will be launched in the USA and other non EU countries at the beginning of 2017.

Wheelchair-Fencer, Dimitri Coutya took on Tough Mudder on Saturday in aid of disabled children in Africa.

On Saturday 24 September, ParalympicGB fencer Dimitri Coutya, took part in the West Sussex Tough Mudder challenge. Arms, legs and wheels took on the gruelling SAS-style military course together with 10,000 others.

18-year old Dimitri returned from the Rio 2016 Paralympic games just days before the event, completing 95% of obstacles with the help of his 18 team-mates. The T4 Paraplegic left his custom-made wheelchair to plunge into ice cold water, scale 10’ walls, crawl through mud under barbed wire and be carried through live electric wires.

Dimitri tells us: “[Spectators] were surprised – they obviously never dreamed of something like this happening, let alone seeing it.”

The Paralympian and his team hope to raise £5000 to support the work of AbleChildAfrica, a London based charity working with some of the world’s most vulnerable disabled children. Funds raised will ensure that sport is available to those the charity supports. There is still time left to donate by texting ‘MUDD14 £10’ to 70070 or via this link: http://tinyurl.com/acatough.

Dimitri Coutya, says: “Sport has [played] a big part in increasing my confidence and giving me things to push…towards in life, so the opportunity to…do the same for disabled children in Africa was something I instantly enjoyed the thought of taking part in.”

Anne Wafula- Strike (ex-GB wheelchair Paralympian and Patron of AbleChildAfrica) first completed Tough Mudder in 2013, and was part of this years team, says: “We’re raising funds for AbleChildAfrica, a very small charity that is supporting people living with disability to be included in the community. That’s why we decided to go through pain, [to] create awareness of what it’s like to be disabled in Africa.”

Mark Bullock (former Wheelchair Tennis manager for International Tennis Federation and member of the International Paralympic Committee and Paralympic Games Committee) says: “When Dimitri lost grip on the wet monkey bars and plunged into the water his immediate reaction was ‘Again, again’.”

AbleChildAfrica, a UK-based charity empowering disabled children in Africa. They are the leading UK charity working exclusively with and for disabled children in Africa. Around 15% of the world’s population is disabled, that’s 1 in every 7 people. Of those, approximately 80% live in developing countries and 150 million are children. Just last year, AbleChildAfrica reached 5,000 children. For more information please contact 0207 793 4144 or savraj@ablechildafrica.org.uk.

Bristol Club Coach, Nick Dewfall with 9 year old Fin

R82 UK, highly respected supplier of assistive products for children and young adults, is delighted to support The Frame Football Association with a series of walking frame donations so more young disabled players can enjoy the beautiful game.

Frame Football is a new activity in the UK set up by amateur football coach, Richard Seedhouse based in Coventry. Ordinarily, many Frame Football players use crutches to assist their mobility but utilise a wheeled walking frame to support them when they play. With more teams now forming across the UK, R82 are gifting eight Crocodile Walkers to young players in the coming months. The aim of these donations is to encourage more children to get involved and raise the profile of this inclusive sport.

Available in three sizes, the Crocodile Walking Aid from R82 helps with balance and rhythm. The Crocodile can be placed behind the child to allow freedom of movement with adjustable handles, individually adapted to a position conveniently close to the child’s body – providing maximum support and stability.

Jon Preater, R82 Managing Director was delighted to handover the first Crocodile Walking Aid to Fin Jones, age 9, during his Saturday morning training session. Fin, who plays in Whitchurch, Bristol, began playing Frame Football in September last year and has progressed well in a short time.

Fin received a size 2 walker and said:

“This is my first experience with a Crocodile Walker, it is the best frame I’ve ever used. I particularly like the seat as I can have a rest at half time. Usually, I play in goal but I have now tried playing in the outfield – awesome!”

Bristol Club Coach, Nick Dewfall, adds:

“Frame Football is about helping children with limited mobility enjoy the beautiful game. It has allowed Fin to play football with his brother for the first time and socially interact with other children living with disabilities. For all the children, opportunities like this can help to remove feelings of isolation. The R82 Crocodile Walker is a great piece of kit that is perfect for Fin – he is more confident at football after even a short space of time. He moves very quickly and the walker runs very smoothly. The slightly longer frame provides a steady base which allows extra stability and Fin has mastered manoeuvring it very well.”

Fin’s enthusiasm for Frame Football was evident at the official handover. Jon Preater hopes that providing other children with suitable walkers will advance participation in the sport. He is keen to encourage families around the country to become involved and to ensure disabled children do not miss out on the opportunity.

Jon Preater, R82 Managing Director concludes:

“The sheer joy on the faces of kids playing Frame Football is fantastic. We really wanted to do something to support and encourage participation in this new sport. By gifting eight Crocodile Walkers we hope to bring Frame Football the publicity it needs. Richard Seedhouse deserves great credit for bringing the fun of football to kids with limited mobility.”

Unique to Calvert Trust Kielder, adult respite care activity holidays are for those with physical, learning or sensory disabilities, who require personal care and support while away from home. Fully qualified and dedicated care and activity teams provide reassurance, support and encouragement.

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Bromley FC Defender Ben Chorley with Dan Catchesides and Freddie Farmer in the LokoHelp 14 Apr 2016

Bromley Football Club paid the Freddie Farmer physiotherapy centre on Elliott Road, Bromley a visit this week to present a cheque for £2,000.

The donation came from Bromley FC’s share of the FA Cup Pool prize money, after getting through to the First Round of last season’s FA Cup.

Bromley FC, whose home matches are played at Hayes Lane, had heard about the Freddie Farmer Foundation charity and wanted to help.

Defender Ben Chorley, 1st team coach Mark Hammond and General Manager Jeff Hutton, presented the cheque to charity trustee Dan Catchesides.

“The Bromley FC donation brings us one step closer to reaching our annual £150k fundraising target,” explained Dan.

“We’re a not-for-profit charity and so all the money we raise goes one hundred per cent back to running the centre, there are no paid chief executives or fundraisers, everyone involved is a volunteer.”

Not only does the charity have to raise £150,000 a year to cover their costs, they’re also embarking on a drive to raise money for a “game-changing” piece of equipment called a ‘LokoHelp’ electromechanical gait trainer to enable disabled children to walk. The centre has one on a 12-month repayment plan but needs to raise £55,000 by the end of the year to keep it.

The Freddie Farmer physio centre is one of a handful of independent UK therapy centres offering specialist equipment and therapeutic exercises, supporting disabled children from all over London and the South-east.

For further information about the Freddie Farmer Foundation please contact charity officer Karen Smith on 020 8313 3707, email karen@freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk or visit the website www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk.