News / charity
Bristol charity launches appeal to create first dedicated play centre
After five different homes in ten years, a Bristol charity providing play opportunities for children with disabilities and additional needs has launched an appeal for a base of its own.
Incredible Kids began operating in Bradley Stoke, before moving from Thornbury to Littleton to Kingswood and finally to The Vench Adventure Playground in Lockleaze, since 2020 when Covid forced sessions outdoors.
Set up by parents after the closure of a local disability centre, Incredible Kids offers a lifeline for over 2,000 people across Bristol, supporting not only the children and young people but their families too.
is needed now More than ever
Jennie and her team offer everything from arts and crafts to a zip wire and sensory room for children with additional needs.
Jennie Prewett founded Incredible Kids after her local disability centre closed – photo: Incredible Kids
However the organisation’s future is far from secure if it can’t find a permanent home, said its founder, Jennie Prewett.
“Hall-hopping has taught us resilience, enabled us to meet families from across Bristol and South Gloucestershire and shown us the huge need for the service we provide,” said Jennie.
“But without a home of our own we live with uncertainty and cannot meet the growing demand for more sessions.”
Incredible Kids has been an important resource for parents, and as the cost of living crisis worsens, Jennie expects the service to become even more crucial to families.
“Support services are under increasing pressure and it’s important for us to be a place that families know they can rely on,” said Jennie.
She hopes that a permanent base would allow Incredible Kids to be more inclusive and stop frequent moves which are unsettling for children and families.
“We want to help alleviate the isolation experienced by so many families and give children and young people an opportunity to have fun and build confidence with the support of our amazing playworkers – and give their families a vital chance to relax and connect at the same time,” said Jennie.
Incredible Kids is appealing to the public to support its fundraiser this Christmas. The organisation is looking to raise £250,000 to make the dream of a permanent home a possibility.
Andrea, a mum who uses the service, said: “Incredible Kids has revolutionised things for me because it has given me space to breathe.
“As a parent of a child with additional needs, you are always on high alert. Incredible Kids is a sanctuary for me for an hour and half a week. It’s something that not a lot of places offer.
“Having a permanent base for Incredible Kids would be such a game-changer,” said Andrea.
Main photo: Incredible Kids
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