Special Needs And Parents (SNAP) is a registered charity that helps Essex families who have children aged 0-25 years with special needs and disabilities.  The children have a wide variety of disabilities including for example, autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Eight families founded SNAP in 1994 in response to the lack of provision that was available. There are now over 1,160 families who use SNAP's services and every week new families turn to us for help.  A manager runs the charity supported by a small staff and thirty committed and regular volunteers.  

From early 1998 to April 2007 SNAP operated from its base at Keys Hall, Brentwood where the charity had two very small offices.  In response to the needs of its families, the charity developed its services and the need for larger and more suitable premises became a priority. 

After a major fundraising campaign, The SNAP Centre was opened by HRH The Countess of Wessex on May 17th 2007.  The SNAP Centre includes a multi-sensory room, a special needs IT suite, a children's activity hall and a training/club room.  From the SNAP Centre we are able to provide the range of services listed on this website.

We now face the ongoing task of funding the costs of running our specially equipped, dedicated centre.  This is a huge challenge, especially as our fundraising is entirely carried out by volunteers, but everyone at SNAP is passionately motivated to ensure that the charity continues to thrive.