Our impact

Fine Motor Skills:

• These skills use the smaller muscles in the hands, feet, fingers, wrists and toes. 
• These skills may include grabbing and gripping, holding objects, picking things up and releasing, as well as rotating objects.  These skills relate to both the hands and feet.

"We have been made to feel so welcome at Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity.  Each week is different yet building on existing skills.  Joey's arms are already so much loser, thanks to the fabulous stretches we have been shown.  He is also able to focus on objects and people.  We are so excited about how Joey will continue to progress."  Dawn Bean

Communication Skills:

• Communication is not just about using your voice.  For some of our children, they may never be able to speak.  We help them to explore other methods of communication such as body language, facial expressions, signs, symbols, Makaton or body signing.
• Some children may use pictorial systems such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) or eye-gaze.
• We want all children to be able to communicate their thoughts, needs and wants and for those around them to be able to understand and respond to them.

"Carol, the Charities Outreach Worker, comes to visit us at home on a Monday or Thursday.  Seren really enjoys these visits and has started to sign, use the drum and is grabbing Carol's hand to put onto toys which is her way of communicating.  She is also playing with water and bubbles and her sensory skills have improved so much." Annabel Mason  

Social Skills:

• The way children interact not only with their parents and carers, but those around them is very important.
• We support children to learn how to make friends and play and depending on their age and ability, we also support them to learn to take turns and understand other children's point of view.

"The change in Alice has been incredible.  The cerebral palsy affects her balance, but this has improved greatly and she now falls much less.  Her core and leg strength have both improved meaning she can walk unaided for longer periods.  An unexpected gain has been regarding her social and communication skills.  Alice is now concentrating for short periods, previously her concentration was very poor.   She is now interacting with the team and developing a much closer bond with her twin sister Emily.  As a result Alice is becoming a more content, confident and much happier little girl." Anna Manga  

Self-care Skills:

• One of the main aims for all of our children is to become as independent as possible. 
• Children learn how to care for themselves and depending on their age, condition and ability, we support children to learn how to feed themselves, drink, brush their teeth and go to the toilet.

Emotional Wellbeing:

• We help all children to begin to learn how to manage and express their feelings appropriately, depending on their age and ability.
• For most children, this is about them being content and at ease, enjoying play or sensory experiences and taking pleasure in what they are doing.
• We also support children to learn how to recover from being upset.

Resources:

• Children with complex multiple needs require a lot of resosurces. 
• We support parents to ensure that they have access to the professional services they need as as well as supporting them to access grants, benefits and other forms of financial support.

"I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for Liam.  We have noticed a remarkable change in Liam since he began the sessions and that's all down to your hard work and perseverance.  He is gradually coming out of his shell and participating more and more.  We as a family are very proud of the progress he has made, so thank you!" Alison Paine

Support at home

• We show parents how to support their child's development with a range of activities and exercises, which they are advised to carry out at home each day, to reinforce the work that we do in our weekly sessions at our Centre.  
• We also help parents to support ther child with positive routines, boundaries and attention, using positive encouragement and praise.

Conductive Education Sessions   Parent Support Network  Outreach Services  Music Therapy  Swimming Sessions  Messy Play  Sensory Sessions