The Children and Family Centre at Independent Options offers a range of free services in Stockport specifically for children with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems from birth to ten and their families. It is not supported financially by income from Social Services. The children and young people benefit from meeting others, gain confidence and new skills and the service also includes brothers and sisters (who often have to take a back seat in the family) and enables parents to gain support from each other. The service is designed to address the play and development needs of particularly disadvantaged groups in safety and to stimulate their participation in the community. After the age of ten we support the child and their family to seek appropriate facilities for their teenage years and beyond.

The Centre is funded solely by voluntary contributions – grants and fundraising - and is run by a Centre Co-ordinator and an Inclusion Facilitator who is currently funded by BBC Children in Need.

We need help with running costs and replacement toys and materials and to increase facilities in the playground – like an inclusive roundabout which will accommodate wheelchairs.

Most of our fundraising is undertaken by application to grant-making trusts, both local and national. We are grateful to those Trustees for supporting us but there are many thousands of other charities competing with us for funds and we need help to continue this service.

Independent Options itself is a tightly run ship but there are items outside departments’ budgets which help the lives of those who use our services. For example, an hydraulic bath, static and mobile bath hoists, special chairs, beds, specially converted bathrooms, etc.

All donations are gratefully received and carefully used.

Contact: Madeleine Hennessy, Director of Finance