The Dame Vera Lynn Trust makes a difference for children with cerebral palsy

Posted: 03/10/2013

Penningtons has had a long association with this highly respected charity.

It was set up by Dame Vera Lynn 13 years ago when funding was withdrawn for an existing school for parents of children with cerebral palsy at Ingfield near Billingshurst. The charity now has two schools, the original in West Sussex and another in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Both schools provide a specialist service for pre-school children between the ages of 0 – 5 with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties. Parents and children learn daily living skills together using the principles of Conductive Education originating at the Peto Institute in Budapest. The service currently supports over 80 families.

This form of education is designed to stimulate and awaken a child’s senses and encourage self-awareness through activities and experiences that are fun for both children and their parents. The education given is very much child focused and seeks to address all aspects of development -- physical, social and emotional, and cognitive. Each session includes play, songs, art and craft, drama and movement.

The emphasis is on providing strong practical support for all parents who have children with special needs of this sort in a mutually sympathetic and encouraging environment.

Some of our clients have benefited enormously from their time at the Dame Vera Lynn Trust and Penningtons hopes that this vital service will continue for many years to come.

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