Staffordshire children's charity receives perfect birthday present

BLAST has been selected as a pilot partner for Newlife's innovative community support scheme, which aims to enhance play opportunities for children with disabilities up to age 16. The initiative will provide carefully selected specialist toys and sensory equipment, along with comprehensive training for BLAST's team on maximizing the benefits of these resources. 

"This partnership with Newlife comes at a perfect time as we celebrate our sixth birthday," says Jill Hart-Sanderson, BLAST founder. "The specialist equipment and toys will significantly enhance our ability to provide inclusive, engaging activities for the hundreds of families we support across Staffordshire. However, this also highlights a crucial need in our community – the establishment of a permanent home for BLAST with dedicated sensory spaces that families can access regularly."

BLAST is currently working to identify suitable empty council owned spaces in Burntwood that could be transformed into a permanent centre. This would create the first dedicated sensory facility of its kind in the area, addressing a significant gap in support services for autistic children and their families across Staffordshire.

"While we've successfully supported hundreds of families over the past six years, having a permanent space with dedicated sensory rooms would allow us to help even more families, particularly those in Burntwood who currently have to travel significant distances to access similar facilities," adds Jill.

The grant will support BLAST's existing programs, including their successful youth club and parent support sessions, which have been praised by families for creating a safe, judgment-free environment where autistic children can thrive. The new sensory equipment will be integrated into BLAST's regular activities, which focus on promoting social inclusion and development opportunities for autistic children.

Becky Smith, Head of Charitable Services at Newlife, explains: "We're excited to partner with BLAST as part of our pilot scheme to support grassroots organisations. Their proven track record of creating inclusive spaces for neurodiverse children makes them an ideal partner for this initiative."

To celebrate this partnership, BLAST is hosting a special interactive session where families can explore and learn about the effects of different sensory toys and how they can support autistic children. The event will take place on April 24 at St John's Community Church, Burntwood, and is open to autistic children aged 4-16 years and their families. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a range of specialist toys they may not have encountered before, with expert guidance on their therapeutic benefits and practical uses.

The session is free to attend, with just a £2 donation requested per person to cover venue costs. Places are limited and must be booked in advance online. This hands-on event exemplifies BLAST's commitment to removing barriers to access and ensuring that cost never prevents a vulnerable child from receiving support.

This initiative has been made possible through the generous funding from Dorothy Pamela Smith CIO and the expertise of Newlife in delivering specialized sensory equipment. BLAST encourages community members to share their support for this project on social media, acknowledging both Dorothy Pamela Smith CIO and Newlife for their crucial roles in making this service available to local families.

BLAST is a Burntwood-based registered charity supporting autistic children and young people across Staffordshire to achieve better futures and independence. With a particular focus on serving the Burntwood community, BLAST promotes inclusion and provides vital support to families affected by autism throughout Staffordshire. The charity operates in areas experiencing the greatest levels of inequality, offering most activities free or at low cost to ensure accessibility for all families. As it enters its seventh year, BLAST is actively working to establish a permanent centre with dedicated sensory facilities to meet the growing needs of local families.

Newlife is a national charity dedicated to supporting disabled children through various initiatives, including Equipment Grants and Loans, Nurses Helpline, Campaigns and their Play Therapy Pods filled with specialist sensory toys. The new community play pilot scheme aims to enhance play opportunities within the community for children with disabilities through partnerships with local grassroot organisations. 

For more information about BLAST's services or to get involved, please contact office@blastsupport.co.uk.