Birthday Miles for Charity Smiles
SNAP’s very own Finance and HR Co-ordinator, Bev Stare, has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon since she was a little girl.
“I honestly don’t know what we would have done without SNAP!” says Jane, who first contacted us four years ago.
I initially heard about SNAP through several friends of friends and family members. It took me a while to pluck up courage to make contact. I’ll never forget that friendly upbeat phone call that made me feel immediately at ease.
I attended a pre-school session at SNAP on a Monday bringing my son Charlie, who is autistic, along for his first visit to ‘see the ladies’ as it then became know in our house. I was relieved, upset, happy and overwhelmed all in one go. For the first time in Charlie’s life we felt welcomed and at home at a pre-school group. For the first time my little boy, who was almost three-years-old, could be himself.
Jane and Charlie – now seven – have enjoyed Therapeutic Thursdays and holiday sessions as well as more pre-school sessions. Jane has also accessed a variety of informative parent training, and been supported by a million(!) phone calls and conversations.
We have now had a baby daughter, Sofia, and it turns out she will also require the support of SNAP growing up too. The difference in receiving her diagnosis, knowing we would have the support of our friends here, has made a whole world of difference.
Jane says it’s the smallest things that can make such a big difference to parents and children:
One of the lovely volunteers, Joan, remembered years after working with Charlie that his favourite snack is cucumber – he always has one close to hand! Very special people work and volunteer for SNAP and it has honestly changed our lives being welcomed into the SNAP family.
We have laughed, cried and shared so many memories with SNAP over the years. Believe me we are so lucky to have this resource local to us in Brentwood. There are very few organisations like it across the UK and others living outside our borough really would love to have this resource available.
SNAP’s very own Finance and HR Co-ordinator, Bev Stare, has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon since she was a little girl.
In this Volunteer Spotlight, we hear from Mary, who has been part of the SNAP family for 12 years
SNAP’s Parent Choir offers a special safe haven where parents can be themselves
The Easter holidays were egg-cellent at The SNAP Centre with so many of our families sharing with us how much our holiday sessions mean to…
The Easter holidays were egg-cellent at The SNAP Centre with so many of our families sharing with us how much our holiday sessions mean to…
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and 9.00am until 3.00pm on Friday.
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