A lifeline from the very beginning
Dan was one of the lucky children to attend the first ever Playskill session 20 years ago. He started in 2006 at the age of 3, and Playskill really was a lifeline for us all. Dan’s diagnosis is under the Cerebral Palsy umbrella but his actual diagnosis is Congenital Bilateral Perisylvisn Microgyria.

“Playskill gave us a safe space to grow as a family and the confidence to help Dan reach his full potential – it truly changed our lives.”

As a new mum of a disabled child, I often felt I had nowhere to go. Mum and baby groups became more difficult to attend as there was nothing there that Dan could do. I felt very isolated as I watched all Dan’s peers reaching their milestones, while he was still not progressing or able to join in.

I really wanted somewhere to go with Dan where he could play, have fun, learn skills and meet other children in an environment where he was safe and understood. I remember saying this to Andrea a lot during our physio sessions at home. Andrea was, of course, hearing things like this from lots of other families and her vision for Playskill was set in motion.

The first Playskill group
We were lucky enough to be in the first Playskill group and it really did change our lives. Playskill gave us somewhere to go where Dan could play, for the first time, alongside others and develop vital physical and social skills.

Playskill provided Dan, and us, with expertise which we would not have had from anywhere else. Having a Physio, OT and SLT present at every session working with Dan to develop his skills was amazing.

"Without this input, Dan would not have achieved as much as he already has."

Dan’s younger sister, Ellie, joined sessions and played alongside her brother, which helped her develop her skills too as she was only two at this time. Playskill also welcomed the people who supported me with Dan. I know that my Mum, Lisa (our support worker) and I learnt so much from attending. We learnt how to then help Dan play, learn skills and have fun at home too. It really was life changing to have these shared skills.

Finding confidence and community as a parent
Playskill provided me with a support group, and professionals on hand to discuss my worries and lead me in the right directions as to what Dan really needed. It gave me the confidence to ‘fight’ for the right education and therapy input moving forward.
Being with families all experiencing similar things, and being able to share information we may have found out, was invaluable. It gave me, as a parent, the skills I needed to help my son develop and have fun.

Support beyond the sessions
I have benefitted from all the parent coffee mornings and training sessions. They gave me valuable information on topics that we have had to face, and guidance on next steps. The mums’ nights out are a lovely way of making parents feel special and a great way of connecting people and sharing experiences.

Playskill also gave Dan’s sister, Ellie, opportunities to spend time with other siblings which has been of great value to her growing up. The sibling events are a lovely time for them, and I know Ellie has appreciated them.

Playskill also helped Ellie gain work experience and help her make decisions about her future, for which I am extremely grateful.

Memories that last a lifetime
Playskill continues to offer support, social events, parties, training and sibling events, for which we are very grateful.

I have many memories of Dan at Playskill sessions: laughing in the ball pit, singing the hello and goodbye songs, getting messy with all kinds of different textures, to name but a few. But the lasting memories for me are always seeing Dan with a smile on his face, interacting with his peers and having fun whilst learning life-long skills.

"Totally priceless"

Playskill provided a safe space for us to grow as a family and learn how to help Dan reach his full potential. It gave us invaluable knowledge and confidence to strive for what Dan needed. It provided us, and Dan, with an amazing foundation of skills to work on.

We learnt valuable skills and developed the confidence and vision needed to keep on moving forward. It provided us with the best start to continue finding the best ways to help Dan become the amazing adult he has become.

The charity was part of the beginning of our journey but it has also been part of our ongoing journey with the parties and events for Playskill graduates - for this we will always be eternally grateful.