Bamboozle marks National Children’s Day!

Bamboozle is marking National Children’s Day by celebrating the disabled children and their families that the company works with.

The United Nations’ NCD is celebrated in the UK on 14 May and recognises of the importance of children and young people and how their rights, freedoms and wellbeing all need to be protected in order for them to grow into happy, healthy adults. 

Sue Pyecroft, Bamboozle’s co-founder and Associate Director of Families and Community said: “Today we are celebrating the community of disabled and autistic young people and their families who have been coming to our Backyard in Rowley Fields Allotments for the last three years. Prompted by Covid restrictions we moved our offer for autistic children outside and it has proved an inspired move. Being in nature is hugely beneficial to all of us but particularly those autistic children. It takes a considerable effort to bring autistic children to somewhere new but the results have been amazing. Huge thanks to the National Lottery and all those who buy tickets for helping us secure Backyard and other activities for the next five years.” 

Kayleigh, who brings her son to Backyard, says this about their experiences:   

“The last few months have been some of the most stressful, anxious times, so to have this little escape from reality right now is fantastic. I love that every time we come here, it always feels like we belong, without judgement, it feels easy. This is the one place that I feel Harlem can truly be himself without fear, without the need to be anything other than his true authentic self. As always thank you for bringing a little magic to our lives, for really making a difference.  We’re so grateful every time we get to experience Backyard.” 

The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund has awarded Bamboozle five years of funding to support their programme. 

Bamboozle’s programme, which will reach 60 Leicester and Leicestershire families each year, has four strands: 

• The Backyard – an outdoor provision for autistic children and their families 
• Family days – where families can meet and share experiences 
• Skill share at home – where a Bamboozle facilitator works with families to support them in their own homes 
• Voices – a research project into how learning-disabled children can have their voices heard

We can’t wait to start delivering this exciting new programme of work and reach more families. Keep an eye on our website and social media to keep up to date with these sessions.