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'Charities gave me hope for my disabled children'

BBC A worker at Entrust Care Partnership takes part in a game with a child and adult, as they sit at a table, which is laden with board games.BBC
Entrust Care Partnership runs activities and workshops supporting young people who have care responsibilities at home, to take time out and be themselves

When Gregg Hill’s two youngest children were diagnosed with complex disabilities, he knew he needed help to play a key part in their care.

Little did he know that one way he could do that was to turn to Leamington Spa charity, Entrust Care Partnership, which has proved a lifeline, not for his youngest, but his eldest daughter, Lily.

Since then Lily has been able to take time away from her family to be a teenager and to study for her GCSEs, thanks to ECP, which is supported by Children in Need.

"It's really nice. I can express myself and I can be how I want without having to think of anything, I can be like a child again before having to go back into being a carer at home," Lily said.

Leamington-based Entrust Care Partnership supports disabled children and their families.

The charity was founded in 2013 and helps support families caring for children, young people and adults with disabilities, additional or specific needs.

As part of their support, ECP runs a variety of services, from guidance workshops on employment, to disability-friendly holiday breaks for families and their disabled relatives.

Another charity to benefit from Children in Need is Coventry-based Coffee Tots, a parent-toddler support group.

Catherine Bartlam founded it 15 years ago, after battling isolation following the birth of her son.

Coffee Tots is a parenting support project, offering baby and toddler play sessions.

“Parent-toddler groups can be quite scary and intimidating to go to, so I wanted to set up something that was accessible for everybody,” she said.

According to Ms Bartlam, the group is a “safe space” for people to come to and for many, the group and its members have become a part of the family.

“We want families to flourish and children to thrive, and it's enabled us to provide that setting for that,” she said.

BBC Children in Need Day takes place on Friday night. Find out more about it here.