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This Christmas, give the gift of support to a child who needs it most

Your donation today will help children who need it most.

This Christmas, we’re asking for your help.

The national SEND crisis is hitting local families hard, especially those on low incomes. 
Public services are overwhelmed, and delays in securing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are growing. For many families, this means their children are missing out on the specialist support they urgently need.

We’re seeing families on the lowest incomes impacted most. We’re stepping in to help wherever we can through means-tested bursaries to make sure no child is left behind.

By making a donation this Christmas, you will be helping us bridge this gap and these children can continue receiving the vital early help and education they deserve.

Here are some of the ways we will gratefully use your Christmas gift:

  • £33 will help to cover the cost of the fee parents pay for one 2.5 hour session.
  • £50 will fund the cost of running a 2-hour parent support group, a vital lifeline to connect with other parents who have similar experiences.
  • £100 will help towards the cost of bespoke speech and language therapy needed by each child.

By donating this Christmas, you’ll help us to continue to subsidise families who are most in need and you’ll be gifting every child the chance of a great start.

How your support will help

Image of mum and son

Rafe’s family have kindly allowed us to share their story with you.

We hope their family’s journey helps you see the difference our team can make and why your help is so important to us.

Rafe is 5. He is autistic and non-speaking, his Mum Erin, Dad Mark and 8 year old sister Nancy found it difficult to understand and support his needs. Mum says, once they found Autism Early Support, our guidance and strategies changed everything.

“Understanding Rafe has empowered us as a family,” says Erin. “When he was really upset and we couldn’t console him, it was heartbreaking. You feel helpless – not being able to understand what your child needs is deeply upsetting. Now though, I know that what I do is right for Rafe.”

A big breakthrough came through using visuals aids to communicate. Rafe is non-speaking, but instead he can now show Erin, Mark & Nancy what he wants, and they can now show him what’s happening around him.

“In the park one day we were going to get an ice cream, but he just didn’t want to come. Circle Centre taught us to use visuals to help him with transitions, so I showed him a picture of an ice cream on my phone and he immediately walked with us. Their strategies have helped us to communicate with Rafe in so many different ways.”

In September, Rafe made the big step from the Circle Centre to reception year at the mainstream school where Nancy attends. He’s joined a dedicated classroom for autistic children.

Our nursery team work closely with every child’s new school to offer an individualised understanding of their needs. For Rafe, they observed him in his new environment, and helped his new teachers identify how best to support his regulation, engagement, and access to learning. We recognise it’s a big step for the children’s parents too. Erin says,

“During Rafe’s school transition, the support we received from the Circle Centre was nothing short of exceptional. He has settled quickly, he’s connected with his new teachers, and he’s already showing real progress in his learning. Autism Early Support has made a massive difference to our family.”

Mum Erin with children at Christmas lights show

Thank you

Your support means we can give children the opportunities, respect, and care they deserve. Right from the start.

We are only able to evolve and make a difference with the support and donations from people like you.

We are hugely grateful for your support.