Meet Michelle and Martha
Creating and delivering services designed to meet the individual needs of each child and young person is at the heart of everything we do at Challengers.
And for young people like Michelle, whose complex disabilities and challenging behaviour have previously meant she was denied access to support, that experience can be life changing.
Will you donate today and help us provide vital, life-changing support and help bring families closer?
“Before Challengers, Michelle was having meltdowns that lasted hours, hurting herself and it was extremely difficult. A few hours felt like a whole day. And days were never ending.”
Martha, Michelle’s mum
“When Michelle comes back from Challengers, she’s happier, calmer, and more settled. She comes in and gives me hugs and kisses – and I’ve grown closer with her as a result.”
Martha, Michelle’s mum
What is the 555 Service?
Our 555 Service offers urgent support to families of disabled young people aged 8 – 19 who are currently out of education. This may be due to awaiting a suitable school placement, because the young person has been excluded, or because their current school place cannot provide the appropriate support. We offer a fun, safe space where our highly trained staff help young people build their confidence and prepare them for a successful return to school.
The length of stay depends on the young person’s ability to reintegrate and how quickly the local authority can find a suitable school placement. A young person accesses the service on average for six months, although some of the children have been waiting over two years for a school placement.
Each young person has the staffing levels appropriate to the need to support them and enable them to go out into the community. All our staff members are trained in behaviour management and managing complex health conditions.
Our recent Parent and Carer survey shows 50% of the children and young people attending 555 do not have access to any other support services.
“Aside from impacting their learning, being out of school can really affect a disabled young person’s confidence and social skills. They may feel angry, upset or confused by a lack of routine and the social interaction that school provides, and can negatively impact their behaviour making it harder for them to return. Our 555 service helps young people to maintain a sense of routine, continue to learn valuable life skills, and to feel positive about their return to education – whenever that may be.“
Jane Sutherland, 555 Service Manager
How you can support our appeal
Donate today and help us provide hours of essential play and support for disabled children and young people.
Set up a regular gift via Direct Debit. Regular gifts enable us to plan, and help you to budget by spreading the cost of your donation across the year.
Like and share our appeal on social media. With your help we can spread the word far and wide, raising more vital funds.
80% of parents say that access to Challengers services helps reduce their family’s isolation and loneliness
Thank you for supporting Challengers. We simply cannot do this without you!
