A trip down memory lane

As SNAP celebrates its 30th anniversary, some of its founding members and integral people from along the way reflect on the evolution of the Charity

Early days at SNAP

Hilary (Founding member, original SNAP Manager, and Honorary Life President): SNAP was initially set up as I was part of the Keys Hall Parent and Toddler Group and was concerned about the lack of provision for families such as mine who had children with special needs. I had learned a lot from having my son Jack and I didn’t want others to struggle like I had.

Paula (Founding member and Trustee): I was also part of the group and saw there was a huge gap in this kind of provision for Brentwood, following my son Oliver’s birth.

Hilary: We formalised the group on 7th July 1994 at 8.00pm round my kitchen table. The name SNAP was chosen, our first session was planned, the rest went on from there!

Paula: By September 1994 we had a handful attending this special needs toddler group. Our numbers grew quickly and we began to realise just how many families were out there and we would increasingly be talking about older children and not just toddlers with new and different needs. ADHD and Autism diagnosis was the fastest growing diagnosis, and we knew this was only the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Maggie (Counsellor at SNAP for nearly 30 years and ex-trustee): SNAP had only been established a few months when a friend of mine (one of those around Hilary’s kitchen table), asked if I could spend an hour or two on a Monday afternoon to look after a few children so that their mothers could have a cup of tea and a chat.

I was a Relate counsellor and after a while, and talking to the Mums about their difficulties, I had a table in the corner of Keys Hall so that Mums could come and talk in a little more privacy. This then moved into the shower room at Keys Hall and I started regular sessions with parents.

Christina (Volunteer to SNAP Director of Finance and Fundraising): I contacted SNAP as a parent in the mid to late 1990s. My son had no formal diagnosis and I had experienced rejection from other local and national agencies due to not having that diagnosis! I felt supported from that first call and soon felt more empowered to help my son and our wider family. I attended several “special parenting” courses and these gave me the understanding to enable me to give my son the support he needed. From there, I started volunteering at SNAP in 2000 and officially joined the SNAP team in 2007 when we moved into the fabulous new centre.

Karen (CEO and has worked at SNAP for 18 years): I worked in a school for 6+ years working with children who had additional needs and I was completely frustrated by the system and not being able to do what was right for the children I was supporting. I started in an admin role in 2006 when we were still in the offices in Keys Hall. The first week I joined we had got the go ahead to take on the building and we came to look round. It was so exciting to be part of it when it was still in Keys Hall and then to see it grow and develop.

Making a difference

Paula: We knew that SNAP was making a difference very early on as the numbers grew so quickly, with parents recommending SNAP to friends who were also struggling.

“Giving parents information, encouragement, and support, it was wonderful to see how their confidence grew and that in turn was reflected in a positive way on their child’s development, happiness, and the dynamics of the whole family.” – Hilary

Andrea (SNAP family to longest standing member of staff): Still to this day the  families who turn to SNAP need, and are grateful for, the personal support and guidance we can give to navigate the swathes of information they are faced with on the internet. Nothing can replace individually tailored and human support and attention.

Maggie: During my time counselling parents, I have been overwhelmed by how  many have told me that SNAP has been their life saver and without the support they have received life would have been extremely difficult.

Memories

Hilary: There have been so many high points over the years but some of the most significant for me must be: The first office at Keys Hall, SIBS Week, receiving my Civic Award and having the honour of attending the Multi Disciplinary Assessment Clinic on weekly basis for many years.

Nicola (Previous Chairman & Volunteer Fundraiser): A memorable time for me was fundraising for the new premises and then helping to deliver the project. It took several years and we were all so thrilled with the amazing SNAP Centre when it opened in 2007.

Hilary: The SNAP Centre was a huge achievement – to secure, finance and equip the derelict building was truly remarkable. The Royal Opening with Sophie, The Countess of Wessex (now the Duchess of Edinburgh) arrived in her helicopter and landed on the grass outside was a wonderful day.

“SNAP has created a safe space; a space where you can talk, share, cry and laugh for the best of days and for the worse of times. A space filled with people to learn from, to lean on and share with.” – Paula

Andrea: The growth of the SNAP Directory has been a highlight for me. From the early hardcopies to the evolving online versions, it underpins the work of the SNAP helpline and enables independent research for Essex families and professionals.

Christina: For me, I think I was most proud of the team during the pandemic. Whilst other agencies around us seemed to disappear our team rose to the challenge. Services were moved online overnight, and we remained as busy as ever despite us having to use Zoom rather than face-2-face.

Hopes for the future

Paula: I am hoping that SNAP will continue to support families with an ever-increasing opportunity for those families to learn from each other and from SNAP-dedicated staff and volunteers as their needs become increasingly complicated.

Maggie: My hope is that SNAP continues to receive funding so that it can continue to help local families. I have no doubt that there is nowhere quite like SNAP, and I am so proud and honoured to have been a part of it.

Christina: I hope that SNAP continues to be there for many years to come and is able to continue to empower families with children and young people with any special need or disability.

Final thoughts and reflections

Paula: It has been a privilege for me to be part of so many precious journeys for our families and to be able to share the joy in seeing the parents and children grow in confidence.

Karen: Working at SNAP is more challenging than ever as the demand for our services continues and it costs so much more to run the Centre now. It is sad to say that SNAP is needed more than ever as current support for families is at an all-time low. We constantly listen to what our families need and are always changing and adapting what we do.

Andrea: SNAP has been a massive part of my life for the past 25 years and I am immensely proud of the service we continue to provide. There will always be a huge need for SNAP, and I hope the love the charity attracts and deserves will keep it going for decades into the future.