Eight families founded SNAP in 1994. They were anxious about the lack of relevant provision and assistance that they had experienced as parents of young children with disabilities. They decided to start a parent and toddler group to help other parents experiencing similar difficulties. The parent and toddler group met each Monday in local halls, which were hired for the sessions.

The parent and toddler group soon began expanding driven by the families’ need for more help and support. Existing families whose children became too old to attend the parent and toddler group continued to need support and parents of school-aged children with disabilities also turned to SNAP for help. SNAP began to provide a range of information and advisory services, including a telephone helpline, a specialist library and family newsletters. In addition to the pre-school group, SNAP introduced music therapy and after school activities such as yoga and trampoline clubs. Throughout this period, the charity’s services were being co-ordinated from the then chairman’s front room.  

By the end of 1997 the number of families being supported had risen to 170 and it was becoming increasingly difficult for the charity to operate without a proper office base. SNAP applied to the National Lottery Charities Board for funding to set up and equip a small office. The office was situated in Keys Hall, a council owned community facility in Warley, Brentwood where the parent and toddler group met. The application was successful.

In 1999 Scope, the UK’s largest disability charity partially funded the recruitment of a manager to run the services. Scope chaired the selection procedure and Hilary Needham a founder and former chairman of the charity was appointed as SNAP’s first employee.