In the UK, over 1.7 million children require Special Education Needs support at school. NHS services are under significant pressure with long waiting lists for SEN assessments and support, leading to months of inaction. Councils and schools have limited budgets for SEND provision. Without access to the right support children may not reach their full potential and families experience an impossible choice, to wait months without support or pay privately for therapy, which is unaffordable for many.

Growing Hope Maidstone aims to bridge a gap in the therapy provision for families within Maidstone by providing free therapy including art therapy and speech and language therapy. We also run groups for parents enabling them to process the change that additional needs means for their child’s life. Thirdly, we run siblings groups enabling siblings to process their experience of being a brother or sister of a child with additional needs. Finally, we offer prayer to those who want it.