Alness facility aims to change ‘nightmare’ circumstances faced by Highland ASN families
A new Alness facility has ambitions to change the “nightmare” circumstances Highland additional special needs (ASN) families are currently facing due to the “broken system for many families”.
Ross-based charity, Fox and Friends, is working to build stronger communities and fill the “gaps in provision” for ASN families in the Highlands.
Founder of Fox and Friends, Lisa Davidson, is delighted to have now secured the Perrins Centre in Alness as their new community hub. With three rooms, Lisa believes there is “massive potential” for the new space to serve the community.
The charity hopes that the new space can be used for: kids clubs, home education drop-in days, adult and OAP meet-ups, family support and community events.
Lisa said: “We’ve had a massive response about the new centre, with lots of other local services delighted to hear that we will soon be available for every generation.
“As this charity grows rapidly, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to run it all on my own — hopefully this hub will help us get the funding that is required to employ some staff on a permanent basis, as I can’t go on running it all myself much longer.
“At the moment we run three ASN family groups per week in the Easter Ross area. For many, these groups are the only option available to them north of Inverness. Sadly, many families are still unable to access these groups due to lack of staffing at the times we run, or poor transport links in their area — a hub will help combat this!
“Several Highland families have told us that their child is unable to access a formal education due to their child’s disability. Local ASN schools appear to be bursting at the seams, and there is a dire shortage of pupil support staff in all mainstream schools. This has resulted in many ASN children being forced to stay at home with no formal education.
“It seems that the Highland Council’s school system is broken for many families, and support with this nightmare is currently non-existent in the area. We are passionate that nobody should be excluded or isolated due to their needs — that’s why we want to open our doors ASAP to welcome these struggling families.
“We are keen to offer a service to support anyone who needs us to thrive in our little corner of the world.”
However, before Fox and Friends can open their new community hub, they need to fundraise £20,000.
Lisa continued: “We now desperately need to secure funding for this project — firstly to modernise the building and add a new disabled access loo, before we can even think about opening the doors as a Hub.
“Any donations, large or small, will be gratefully received. If you own a local business and would like to become a sponsor for the hub, please get in touch.”
To find out more or to donate to Fox and Friends, visit www.foxandfriends.org.uk
