All About Malvern Special Families
Malvern Special Families supports children with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 19 years in Malvern. It was formed more than three decades ago by a group of local parents. Gareth Jones is the charity’s Chief Executive Officer and tells us more.
How did it start?
Back in 1987, five families came together to organise activities for their children – at that time there wasn’t a lot for children with disabilities to do. They began with an after-school club and holiday clubs to help each other out.
From that small start, we have grown to deliver excellent clubs and play schemes for children and young people with disabilities ages five to eighteen in Malvern and Worcester. Many of the children we support have profound and multiple disabilities which can mean children having limited mobility as well as limited sight, hearing loss and learning disabilities.
Who uses your services?
In total we support 195 children, giving them safe and stimulating activities they might struggle to access elsewhere. This includes swimming, kayaking and soft-play sensory experiences.
Our clubs in Malvern take place at The Poolbrook Centre and Malvern Vale Community Centre. We are also grateful to Regency and Fort Royal Schools in Worcester who allow us to use their facilities, not least their minibuses, which allows us to organise trips.
As our name suggests, we support the whole family. By providing fun filled activities for the children, their carers, guardians and siblings are also able to enjoy quality time
What else do you do?
We have been on many different trips to places such as West Midland Safari Park, All Things Wild near Evesham and Gheluvet Park in Worcester.
As well as the services we provide, fundraising is a vital part of our work. We are only here thanks to the support of many dedicated fundraisers, who do everything from sponsored walks and runs, to organising events, to rattling tins!
We do receive financial support from the council as well as other bodies such as Children in Need and the Worcester Community Lottery. However, the work of our volunteers is crucial, and if you might be able to help us, then please get in touch.
Our next fundraising event is on Saturday 5th October, when The Malvern Delta Blues Band will be playing at the Wyche Institute. It starts at 8pm and tickets are £5. If you’d like tickets, or to enquire about any of our services, please email me, ceo@malvernspecialfamilies.org.uk