News and real-life stories

Real-life stories

We’re here for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities, young carers and families. Here are some of their stories.

Latest

children's multicoloured wooden block toys in playgroup setting
Early years
4 Dec 2024

William’s story 

William has a congenital syndrome and Rachel, William's mum, shares how he has flourished at Kids' playgroup.

girl's bedroom with orange bedding and wooden walls
Real-life stories
3 Dec 2024

Ruby’s story 

Ruby struggled with her sleep and her family found support through our online Sleep Workshop. Read Ruby's story.

A person is sitting around a wooden table, a pen in their hand. They are looking at someone off camera, presumably talking to them
Real-life stories
2 Jul 2024

Tabatha’s story – Disability Pride Month 

Tabs shares their journey as a person with SEND finding employment at Kids, and empowering young people to speak up.

A family of four photographed together. There is a white background behind them
Early years
12 Apr 2024

Sharon’s story

Sharon explains how Kids' early intervention helped her children with SEND thrive. 

A selfie of Donna. She has reddish hair and is wearing eyeliner
Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Donna’s story

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Donna shares her experiences learning about herself and making friends through our Nurturing Anchors workshops.

Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Allie’s story

Allie attended our workshops to build confidence and meet other parents of neurodivergent children in the naval community.

A group photo of young carers
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Lyndsey’s story

Read about Lyndsey, aged 13, who became a young carer when her dad suffered a stroke.

Young carers outdoors
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Mary’s story

Read about Mary, a 16-year-old young carer who looks after her mum and brother.

A child walking while holding a lunch bag.
Real-life stories
23 Nov 2023

Chloe’s story

Read about Chloe's journey at our Basingstoke Nursery.

Asher and her parents are photographed together. They are at an event.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Asher’s story

Asher is 18 years old, has autism and a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile. Read her story.

Joseph and Rachel are photographed together. Rachel is standing behind Joseph, both hands on his shoulders. They are smiling.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Joseph and Rachel’s story

Joseph has attended our Hayward Playground for over ten years. His mum, Rachel, shares their story.

Hamza is crouched on the floor, playing with trucks in a sand tray.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Hamza’s story

Hamza is three years old and attends the Kids Family Group in Birmingham. Read his story.

Three children are sitting around a kids table with a staff member. They are pretending to have lunch with toys.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zack, Zayn and Zander’s story

Hear from Emma, whose three boys have gone to our Kids Family Centre Nursery in Birmingham. 

A child is photographed from behind, hugging a staff member who is kneeling on the floor.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zach’s story

Zach is four years old and has ASD, GDD, sensory issues and learning difficulties. Read his story.

A girl is photographed from the side. She is putting a fake baby into a baby bathtub.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Freya’s story

Freya has suspected ASD and sensory difficulties. Her parents Natalie and Ayrton reached out to Kids for support.

A child is playing with sensory toys at Basingstoke Nursery.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Oliver’s story

Oliver is three years old and shows signs of autism. His dad, Josh, talks about how Oliver has grown since attending our Family Group in Birmingham.

News and policy

When the world blocks children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, Kids speaks up. Find out what we’ve been doing recently.

Latest

Fundraising stories
20 Dec 2024

13 half marathons in 13 days

Reece, a young man living with Worster-Drought Syndrome, ran an incredible 13 half marathons in 13 days! Read his story.

group of children and adults cheering in a playground
News
17 Dec 2024

Our 2024 recap

Take a look back at our incredible year supporting children and young people with SEND and their families.

Kids Christmas Carols order of service
News
13 Dec 2024

Christmas Carol Concert 2024

A heartwarming recap of our 2024 Christmas Carol Concert, celebrating the season and supporting children with SEND.

Christmas drawings in baubles
News
12 Dec 2024

Festive drawings 

Celebrate the festive season with some amazing drawings by the talented children and young people we support.

group picture of young people with SEND and participation practitioners
News
3 Dec 2024

MP SEND Toolkit Launch

Young people with SEND attended the MP SEND Toolkit launch, sharing their experiences with MPs.

A group of children and a staff member are putting their hands together in a team stack. They are smiling.
News
25 Nov 2024

New SEND Advice & Guidance

We're excited to introduce our new SEND advice and guidance section on our website!

group of children cheering with their hands in the air
News
22 Nov 2024

Support us through easyfundraising

Turn your online shopping into FREE donations for Kids! Support children and young people with SEND through easyfundraising.

News
14 Nov 2024

5 inspiring stories of famous people with disabilities 

This Disability History Month, we're shining a light on 5 famous disabled people who have made a huge impact on the world.

two girls painting outside
News
31 Oct 2024

Our response to the autumn budget – 2024

We’ve summarised how some of the autumn budget announcements might impact disabled children.

News
25 Oct 2024

How can the autumn budget support SEND reform

If every child matters, then money must be found to make the rights of disabled children a reality.

News
12 Aug 2024

Kids’ response to violence and community unrest

Like many voluntary organisations operating in communities across England, Kids has been affected by the racial and hate-motivated violence. We are troubled by the abhorrent actions causing unrest across towns…

Nursery staff playing with disabled child
CEO blog post
8 Jul 2024

Reflections on the new government and the broken SEND system

Kids Chief Executive Katie Ghose's thoughts on long-term opportunities and immediate fixes

A young person is looking out a cabin playhouse, one hand on his chin
News
2 May 2024

Kids releases revealing report: On the Cliff Edge

Our report documents the experience of young people with SEND as they move from childhood into adulthood.

a man is running with his hands up in the air. He is wearing a Kids vest
News
22 Apr 2024

London Marathon runners raise over £77,000 for Kids 

On Sunday 21st April, 54 runners completed the London Marathon for Kids. Read more.

A boy is kneeling in front of a sensory play tray. There is a woman next to him
Early years
19 Mar 2024

Only 6% of local authorities offer enough SEND childcare  

Coram Family and Childcare released the Childcare Survey 2024 results. Read our response.

A boy is playing with toys on an activity wall
Early years
6 Mar 2024

Our response to the Spring Budget – 2024

Once again over 1 in 10 of the UK’s children have gone unseen and unheard. Read our response to the Spring Budget.

Create brighter futures with disabled children

Childhood should be joyful.  Not defined by what disabled children and young people cannot do. That’s wrong.

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of children and young people have all  kinds of opportunities. Support Kids to create brighter futures with disabled children.