Our 2023 recap
What a year! Kids is working harder than ever to break down barriers for children and young people with SEND. Read about our 2023 highlights.
Our impact
In 2023 we ran over 90 services, supporting 18,000 families.
There are over 2 million children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in the UK, and all of them should have an equal opportunity to play, learn, grow and thrive. This what we’re working towards, and thanks to you we’ve taken big steps.
A refreshed Kids brand for maximum impact, new online services, and strengthened partnerships represent a fraction of our achievements this year. We couldn’t have done any of this without our amazing supporters, partners, volunteers, and of course the families we work with every day.
Some people we supported
Joseph
Joseph is 18 and has been attending our Hayward Playground for over ten years.
Asher
Asher is 18 years old. Her family used our SENDIASS service to navigate school meetings.
Digital services we launched
Young People’s Hub
This year we revealed our Young People’s Hub, a platform created by young disabled people. It’s a place for them to learn something new, get support and speak out on the issues that affect them.
Family Support Online
We also launched Family Support Online, which parent carers can access from anywhere in the country. We support parents to navigate the SEND system and access the help they need.
News highlights
WASP award
Our Wakefield Awareness and Support Programme (WASP) was presented the Children with Disabilities Award for their work supporting the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Our team was praised for going the extra mile to promote the abilities of children with disabilities.
Young people speak up
Groups of young people delivered workshops and attended conferences throughout the year, speaking up about the issues that impact their lives and getting involved with decision-making. The photo below is from a SEND co-production workshop.
Event highlights
London Marathon
38 Kids supporters ran the London Marathon in April 2023, raising an incredible £51.891.
Our team has already started training for 2024. This time we’ll have 57 runners and can’t wait to see them cross the finish line.
Superhero Triathlon
In August, members of our Young People’s Participation Team completed the Superhero Tri for the second year in a row. Young people joined hands with staff to swim 400m, cycle 10k, and walk/run 2.5k. The money they raised allowed them to organise a fabulous Christmas day out!
Continued partnerships
Greystar
Our long-term partnership with Greystar continues to grow. In addition to the practical support they give to Kids, they have fundraised for us on multiple occasions.
In November they hosted their annual charity event at the Natural History Museum, where they raised £220,000.
Splash Projects
Splash projects regularly support Kids by connecting us with volunteers.
In particular they introduced us to a team from Qube Research & Technology, who refurbished our Lady Allen Adventure Playground‘s sandpit area. They turned it into an imaginative adventure area for children and young people to enjoy.
Ready to break down barriers in 2024?
With your support we can create brighter futures with disabled children.