Cerebral palsy charity celebrates 70 years

Mum Lauren says Embrace has given Frankie much-needed independence and friendship

Parents are celebrating a charity that has spent decades giving their children with cerebral palsy “amazing opportunities”.

The Bedford District Cerebral Palsy Society has rebranded to “Embrace” for its 70th anniversary.

“Embrace always finds a way. Every year they put on so many opportunities,” said mum Lilian Circuit whose son Jamie, 31, started attending the charity aged 10.

The charity, which also supports children with other disabilities, is trying to raise £70,000 in 2024 to fund play schemes, youth clubs and carer support groups.

“They've been everything to us. They've supported our entire family throughout the majority of Jamie’s life,” Ms Circuit said.

Activities the charity puts on include snowboarding and ice skating trips.

Jamie, right, has been supported by Embrace for the past 21 years

Jamie was "the most complex person they had" when he first visited the charity at the age of 10. As well as cerebral palsy, he has a number of conditions including epilepsy and scoliosis.

"Everybody else had written him off because of all the medication he took. I said to Embrace ‘ I don’t know what to do’. They found a way Jamie could come.

"In the first year he went snowboarding - I mean this young man's in a wheelchair, you think, 'how can they do it?'

"They have given him so many opportunities, it is just incredible, things you could think are never possible."

Volunteers and staff at Embrace tailor activities to the children's needs

Frankie (centre) taking part in arts and crafts activities

Lauren Pickup’s nine-year-old daughter, Frankie, has cerebral palsy and says "there aren’t many places like Embrace".

"Frankie was an early baby and spent 10 months in hospital. By the time we got to Bedford, we were fairly isolated so we came to Embrace’s mum and baby group.

"She came with a lot of gear - ventilator, oxygen tank - and we were welcomed as soon as we walked in the door."

Ms Pickup said meeting with other parents in similar circumstances and having access to specialist care "was an amazing experience" .

"It was a community from the get-go. We felt welcomed, included. We were embraced."

Frankie now attends Saturday play schemes where she can play, cook and meet friends.

"Embrace is so important to us as a family, but also to Frankie who wants to make friends and have independence and those childhood experiences that are harder for her to access", added Ms Pickup.

Jane says Embrace is a "can-do charity" that listens to its young people

Services director Jane Howard-White says the charity's aim is "all about unlocking possibilities".

"It's very difficult for our young people to go to their friends’ houses with all their equipment. So the summer play schemes provide a chance for them to all be together," she said.

Ms Howard-White said they also support parents who need to "recharge their batteries".

"Having a child with a disability can be very isolating, so we offer days for the whole family and events just for parents."

She is keen to get word out that the charity supports people with "many different disabilities" and is "inclusive".

"We're there to serve," she added.