About usMarches Family Network is a small, well established, registered charity supporting children with disabilities and their families across Herefordshire and the surrounding areas. The main aims of Marches Family Network are to include and empower all children with a disability and their families. We provide a wide range of social and educational opportunities to children and young people with disabilities, up to the age of 25, working with over 150 families. The children that we work with have a wide variety of different disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, chromosomal disorders, epilepsy, and sensory impairments. Our services are vital for the families we work with, not only as a form of respite but also in terms of children being able to socialise with their peers in a supported and safe environment and being able to access services and community facilities; we believe that no child should be excluded because of a disability.
Why our community needs usCurrently, there are very few social activities for children with disabilities. Many of our children are unable to access activities without high levels of support in place, which can be costly, and many services and providers are unable to accommodate the complex needs of the children we support; over 40% of the children that access our services require one to one support or higher.
The need for our services has increased significantly over the last 5 years, as other support services lose funding, close down or withdraw their services from the county. We want all children with disabilities to feel included and we are often the only service to support children with complex health and behavioural needs in a group setting, enabling them to spend time with their friends. Without our projects, children with disabilities in the local area, who are unable to access universal services, are at risk of becoming isolated and their families reaching crisis point.
Our impactThe outcomes we achieve through our projects are:
- The children make and sustain friendships and take part in activities with their friends
- The children learn and develop through hands on, practical activities and access new experiences
- New and engaging activities and positive friendship groups support the children to develop their confidence, independence and a sense of belonging
- Parents, carers, siblings and families have vital respite time away from their caring responsibilities, helping to promote family resilience and prevent families from reaching ‘crisis point’.
