My son Luke was born with a very rare syndrome, ( Williams Syndrome) Autism, Adhd and challenging behaviour. He has attended Family link for several years now and I cannot express how much he loves it. He is always so excited when he knows he’s coming in to see everyone at Family Link. I know he is in very safe hands and despite his complex needs which can at times be very challenging the team are amazing with him. The days at Family link give Luke an opportunity to socialise with his peers and do activities he wouldn’t normally partake in with us at home. Luke always comes home very happy from Family link and asks me almost immediately when he is going again. I cannot thank the team enough for providing this lifeline.
Hannah, Lukes Mum
TESTIMONIALS
If anyone is wondering what our young people feel like when they are at Family Link, well just take a look at their faces they love it xx
I always leave Holly with the Family Link guys knowing that she is safe and will be well looked after and entertained for the day xx
Sarah, Holly's Mum
"My daughter looks forward to the FamilyLink play days and even more when they meet up to go out into the community. She gets to meet her friends, be independent from Mum, and thoroughly enjoys activities such as the cinema, bowling, swimming, days out to the seaside and going to the park. The days help with her social skills, learning to wait and share and pushes her boundaries to try new things. These sessions are a lifeline to my daughter and to us as a family"
Carol, Georgia's Mum
“ Family link is the best it means everything to me, I love the staff and I love chatting to them, and I can be me there! The best club ever!”
Mason
Our son loves going to Family Link. The lovely passionate staff know him very well and are very caring. He enjoys being around a different group of peers to his school peers, doing a variety of activities (indoors and outdoors) and lovely days out. This play group has always been very close to our hearts, as our son has been going for many years. Now his sister very much enjoys working as a play worker for this great charity.
Judith, Noah's Mum
'Henry is happy attending Family Link, he goes in smiling and comes out smiling. He is always relaxed and content when I collect him and he gets along so well with all the staff. They are also very good with Henry's medication that he has midway during sessions. It is a great place for him to have a fun day and me to have a break knowing he is happy'.
Sharon, Henry's Mum
Ava says that she likes going to Family link because it is good fun and she gets to meet new friends.
Jo, Ava's Mum
Oliver has a severe learning disability, is non-verbal and needs a high level of care. There are very few opportunities for children who require such a high level of support to socialise and have fun in the holidays so they really miss out. Family Link gives Oliver the chance to make friends and take part in fun, appropriate activities such as cooking and craft. He has a brilliant time and is supported by a fantastic group of people who make him feel included and welcome. The sessions also give our family a much-needed break from our caring responsibilities. We're so thankful to Family Link for the service they provide - it's benefitted the whole family.
Katie, Olivers Mum
James always comes back from Family Link very happy and doesn’t want to get off the bus so he can go for round 2. Although, he’s non-verbal, it is very clear he has a great time and doesn’t stop giggling. We always look forward to him attending.
Rama, James Mum
As Emma has autism and is non verbal, it can be quite daunting for her going out and about. Emma has been going to Family Link for a few years now, and is always happy and excited going in and attending the sessions. Emma's face beams when she sees the staff and there is always a warm welcome when she arrives. Thank you Family Link for making the club such an inviting, safe place and for the variety of activities.
Rosemary, Emma's Mum
Our son Aidan is autistic, non verbal and has complex social and communication issues and sensory processing disorder. He has only been at family link for a short time but the benefit for him has been huge! He thrives on routine and learns through play so family link provide both of those things. As we pull up to the venue he is full of smiles and goes in so happy which is immeasurable to us as a family! As the parents of a non verbal child you put your full trust in the people your child is with and all the staff at family link are fantastic. It also gives us some much needed respite to spend time with our daughter which we can’t do when Aidan is with us as he requires continual 24 hour support.
Vicki and Matt, parents of Aidan
Our Son James has attended several of the Saturday Clubs run by Family Link. This has greatly benefitted him, to be amongst a group of people having a sociable and a structured day.
Whether it's baking or making something creative, or exploring the school playgrounds, he's always enthusiastic and each time we collect him he asks us ' is there Playgroup next week?
As parents of a special needs child the Saturday Club has helped our wellbeing too, it is a daily challenge for our family and knowing James is safe whilst we can have some much needed time out to catch-up, is most helpful. Thank you Family Link.
Stephen & Beata Bell
Family link is such a lifeline. It bridges a massive gap that no one seems to see. There are SEN groups for dance, sports and autism. But these are only helpful for people who are happy to engage and follow instruction. If like my son who has Downs and autism, this is just not fun for him. Family link provides social opportunities that don’t exist anywhere else in the borough. He has built lovely relationships with the staff, hangs out with friends and gets to have some of the freedoms of any other teenager. Thank you Family Link.
Lorna, Luke's Mum
I really like coming to Family Link to help tidy up after each session.
I really like my best friend Georgia because she makes me smile when she sees me when I am at FamilyLink.
I really like the staff because they help me with baking or do something different to help pupils at Family Link.
I also like when we go on trips to the cinema with everyone and I think it is really amazing about Family Link.
FamilyLink have really helped me doing some crafts and baking when we to be on the right times each sessions.
I think that the staff have helped me so well to keep me happy when I am excited to see the staff.
Big thanks to Family Link for helping me and we have such fun doing baking/crafts.
Many Thanks and see you in the next session soon.
love from Mae X
Our daughter Mae has complex needs including learning disability and various medical conditions. Mae has been coming to Family Link for several years and it has been a lifeline to our family for respite, but more importantly Mae loves going. She has gained confidence and wants to go to every session available. For the past 7 months Mae has been out of school provision and during this time Family Link is the only term time respite offering these type of days for Mae to access, in a safe and trusted environment. Mae feels safe and happy with the staff, and she gets to see her friends, peers and be in a different environment from home. Mae loves helping with the tidying up at the end of each session and helps staff with other tasks. We would truly be lost without Family Link.
Karen, Mae's Mum x
Our son has been attending the wonderful Family Link club since 2017.
During the years that he has attended, the location of the club, and many of the staff members may have changed but the quality of care and the fun that he has had have been consistently good.
He is known by the team who have a clear understanding of his needs, knowing how to support him to ensure that he participates fully in activities in a way that recognises his limitations. He thoroughly enjoys meeting and interacting with the Family Link team, and enjoys a regular opportunity to meet and spend time with familiar youngsters in a safe and secure environment.
The Family Link club provides a valued and valuable chance for children and young people with complex needs to spend time together in a setting that recognises each of them as unique and important while providing their parents or carers with a break from caring with all the reassurance that their children and young people are having a great time. Thank you, Family Link team!
Paula, Ted's Mum
Family Link provides a fantastic service for children and young people. The staff are amazing and my daughter loves attending the sessions they organise and always comes home happy and chatting about the fun activities she has participated in. Thank you
Mabel's Mum
Registered Charity Number : 801156
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