Across the UK, a child is born or diagnosed with a severe disability every 25 minutes.
"We have a beautiful daughter of whom we are very proud. She has helped to change our lives for the better. Almost two years ago the outlook was bleak and uncertain but we now know what road we are taking and we are all living with disability together."
Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the families of all disabled children, who can often desperately need help.
Lobbying for services
Because there is a real shortage of good services, basic everyday tasks like shopping, getting around on public transport and taking children to school present enormous challenges for families with disabled children. Childcare is often just not suitable for disabled children or affordable to their parents.
- Last year we successfully lobbied government to invest an additional £430m of funding in services for families with disabled children.
Helping to alleviate poverty
Combining work and care for many families with a disabled child is just not possible. This, alongside the many extra costs that come with raising a severely disabled child means a disproportionately high number of families with disabled children have lives that are blighted by poverty.
- Last year our specialist welfare rights service helped families with disabled children claim £9m in benefits and other financial help.
"The extra money’s made a huge difference. Before, I was managing on about £100 a week, and after paying for groceries and bills there wasn’t much left. Now I’ve bought a trampoline, slide & swing for my son to help him strengthen his muscles, he’s booked in for some hydrotherapy sessions – and we can just do more things as a family." Parent who got help from our specialist benefits advice service.
Reducing isolation
For most parents with disabled children a little free time for themselves or to spend with their other children is hard to come by. Exhaustion is often the norm, with nights of unbroken sleep a thing of the past. Relationships can be strained and family break down more likely, with a high proportion of disabled children raised in single parent households. Intensive caring, and a lack of contact with others in the same situation, can mean parents feel isolated and struggle to cope.
- Last year we ran events, outings and fun days out for 8,000 families with disabled children.
Providing the support families need
What little help is available to families with disabled children often goes unclaimed for years – because no one thought to tell them about it. And when they do learn of help that’s out there, many describe getting it as just one battle after another. Without support in place from the outset – from the very first day they learn their child is disabled - many quickly reach breaking point.
- Last year we helped 20,000 families get the support and services they need.
Transforming lives
Contact a Family works to transform the lives of families with disabled children. Last year we helped over 300,000 and our aim is to reach every family with a disabled child in the UK.
Help us transform the lives of families with disabled children and support Contact a Family today.
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