News and real-life stories

Real-life stories

We’re here for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities, young carers and families. Here are some of their stories.

Latest

Allie is taking a selfie. She is wearing a black jackets with pins on it.
Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Allie’s story

Allie attended our workshops to build confidence and meet other parents of neurodivergent children in the naval community.

Donna and her son are taking a selfie on the couch
Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Donna’s story

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Donna shares her experiences learning about herself and making friends through our Nurturing Anchors workshops.

A group photo of young carers
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Lyndsey’s story

Read about Lyndsey, aged 13, who became a young carer when her dad suffered a stroke.

Young carers outdoors
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Mary’s story

Read about Mary, a 16-year-old young carer who looks after her mum and brother.

A child walking while holding a lunch bag.
Real-life stories
23 Nov 2023

Chloe’s story

Read about Chloe's journey at our Basingstoke Nursery.

Asher and her parents are photographed together. They are at an event.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Asher’s story

Asher is 18 years old, has autism and a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile. Read her story.

Joseph and Rachel are photographed together. Rachel is standing behind Joseph, both hands on his shoulders. They are smiling.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Joseph and Rachel’s story

Joseph has attended our Hayward Playground for over ten years. His mum, Rachel, shares their story.

Hamza is crouched on the floor, playing with trucks in a sand tray.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Hamza’s story

Hamza is three years old and attends the Kids Family Group in Birmingham. Read his story.

Three children are sitting around a kids table with a staff member. They are pretending to have lunch with toys.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zack, Zayn and Zander’s story

Hear from Emma, whose three boys have gone to our Kids Family Centre Nursery in Birmingham. 

A child is photographed from behind, hugging a staff member who is kneeling on the floor.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zach’s story

Zach is four years old and has ASD, GDD, sensory issues and learning difficulties. Read his story.

A girl is photographed from the side. She is putting a fake baby into a baby bathtub.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Freya’s story

Freya has suspected ASD and sensory difficulties. Her parents Natalie and Ayrton reached out to Kids for support.

A child is playing with sensory toys at Basingstoke Nursery.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Oliver’s story

Oliver is three years old and shows signs of autism. His dad, Josh, talks about how Oliver has grown since attending our Family Group in Birmingham.

Children are sitting on the floor. Lights are projected on the ground for them to look at.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Logan’s story

Logan is three years old and attended the Kids Family Group from January-March 2023. His mum Lisa writes about his development during that time.

A boy is inside a playground playhouse. He is sitting by the window, his back to the camera.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Kian and Kylo’s story

Sarah and her boys attend Kids' Family Group in Birmingham. Read their story.

A child is photographed from behind, playing with sensory toys on a table.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Isacc’s story

Isacc is four years old and attends our Family Group. His mum, Leanne, tells us about the improvements she's seen in Isacc's communications skills.

Two boys are playing with toys attached to a board on the wall.
Early years
4 Oct 2023

Franco and Luciano’s story

Read about Franco and Luciano, two boys who attended our Basingstoke Nursery.

News and policy

When the world blocks children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, Kids speaks up. Find out what we’ve been doing recently.

Latest

A boy is playing with toys on an activity wall
Early years
6 Mar 2024

Our response to the Spring Budget – 2024

Once again over 1 in 10 of the UK’s children have gone unseen and unheard. Read our response to the Spring Budget.

A girl holding a pen and paper in her arms
News
8 Feb 2024

Our response to the Disability Action Plan

The Government has released its long-awaited Disability Action Plan. Read our response.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Maria Miller MP, and Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of Kids sit with children at Kids' Basingstoke Nursery
News
19 Jan 2024

The Prime Minister visits Kids nursery

Rishi Sunak's visit to our Basingstoke nursery provided an opportunity to experience a truly inclusive setting. Read more.

Three people posing together
News
30 Dec 2023

Kids annual review | 2022-23

Find out how we've created life-changing opportunities for children and young people with SEND.

A boy laughing in artificial rain
News
18 Dec 2023

Our 2023 recap

See how we've been breaking down barriers for children and young people with SEND.

A young girl plays in the rain.
News
26 Oct 2023

Our new look

Welcome to the new Kids brand. It’s all about positivity and empowerment. Celebrating individuality and speaking up for change.

Policy
18 Oct 2023

Kids’ response to the Disability Action Plan consultation 2023-2024

Read our response to the Disability Action Plan. It's all about accessible playgrounds, assistive technology and digital inclusion.

A staff member and a child are standing outside with their arms up in the air. There are water drops falling on them.
Policy
11 Oct 2023

Kids Manifesto for Change

Find out where Government action is needed to transform the lives of disabled children and young people.

Photo of a boy's profile. His head is turned slightly to face the camera.
Early years
20 Jul 2023

Our vision for early years and SEND

We believe it’s vital that babies and young children with SEND have access to quality early years support. Read more.

A London Marathon runner is running. She is holding her hands up in the air and is laughing. She is wearing a blue vest with the old Kids logo on it. In the background there are other people running.
News
26 Apr 2023

Congratulations to our London Marathon runners

Team Kids ran the London Marathon and raised £52,736 for disabled children, young people and their families.

Two women are siting at a table, giving each other a side hug. They are smiling at the camera.
News
22 Mar 2023

Family Support Online

Find out about our new service for parents and carers of disabled children and young people in England.

A child is smiling at the camera. He has short blond hair and is wearing a blue t-shirt with superhero faces on it.
Policy
2 Mar 2023

Our response to the SEND Improvement Plan

The Government's Plan does not begin to match up to the scale of the challenges. Read our full response.

A close-up of two people's hands working on a puzzle. There are puzzle pieces on the table.
Policy
17 Nov 2022

Autumn Statement comment from Kids Chief Executive, Katie Ghose

The Government’s decision to increase benefits in line with inflation will provide some relief to families of disabled children currently struggling to cover daily costs.

Policy
13 Oct 2022

‘Spend pennies now to save pounds later’

Kids CEO Katie Ghose shares three ways the charity sector can adapt to unprecedented economic changes.

A young person and a staff member are standing with their arms over each other's shoulders. The young person is a wearing a grey t-shirt while the staff member is wearing an orange one. Both are wearing caps.
News
1 Oct 2022

The Big Give 2022

Help Kids support the mental health and wellbeing of families with disabled children.

A child is standing outside, holding a brown leaf close to his face. He is wearing face paint and glasses.
News
30 Aug 2022

Summer activities at Kids: 2022 highlights

Find out what children and young people have been up to this summer.

Create brighter futures with disabled children

Childhood should be joyful.  Not defined by what disabled children and young people cannot do. That’s wrong.

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of children and young people have all  kinds of opportunities. Support Kids to create brighter futures with disabled children.