Taddies

We had tonnes of sensory fun last Friday at our ‘Taddies’ parent-toddler group for children with disabilities.

The group is run by staff from The Children’s Trust who are experienced in working with children with complex needs, including children who are technology-dependent.

The sessions include fun and safe activities appropriate for children aged 0-3 years. They also give parents the opportunity to meet others in a friendly environment, with preschool-age siblings welcome to attend.

Find more details, including our 2014 dates here: thechildrenstrust.org.uk/taddies 

Each session takes places at The Children’s Trust’s main site (Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5RU), which has free parking. Families from any area are welcome. Booking is essential and can be made by emailing taddies@thechildrenstrust.org.uk or calling 01737 365810.

Have you got socks appeal?

Now the Christmas decorations are in the loft, have you unearthed that oh so charming (but seriously unmatching) handkerchief and socks set from Great Aunt Gertrude, and the mustard-coloured tie with green spots sent with every good intention by Uncle Jim? At a complete loss what to do with them and the few other random gifts you can’t see yourself using but don’t have the heart to bin?

There is a solution!

Our charity shops will be more than delighted to accept donations from disappointed seasonal recipients. Or donations at any other time of year, for that matter – anything from clothes and toys to books and CDs.

So whilst your other New Year resolutions may not quite make it to the end of January, why not redeem yourself and help us instead? Your unwanted items can help us to raise much-needed funds to support our services.

Find out more at www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/shops

Phil Wilcox, Volunteer

Richard Hammond is backing our books!

Richard Hammond has given his support to our new set of books which have been created to support children and their families living with brain injury.

The BBC presenter suffered a serious brain injury himself when he was involved in a high speed car crash.

Richard, who is Vice President of The Children’s Trust, said he is proud to lend his support and has also made an exclusive audio-book to accompany one of the books.

Talking about the creation of the publications, which includes a parents’ handbook and two children’s books, he said: "This is a wonderful, colourful way for families touched by brain injury to explore the issues they may face."

Find out more about the books

The children’s books are aimed at different age groups and are designed to empower children and help them in their rehabilitation journey after sustaining a brain injury. They have also been designed to encourage empathy among all youngsters towards other children or siblings who may be living with a brain injury.

Heads Up, Tim-Tron explains acquired brain injury (ABI) to young readers of primary school age, through the story of a mischievous little robot, who bumps his head whilst playing. Because of his bump, one of Tim-Tron’s circuit boards stops working and he has to discover new routines and ways of doing things in life.

The book, which is accompanied by Richard Hammond's audio-book, won the prestigious United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum innovation award and has already earned enthusiastic reviews for its clever portrayal of brain injury. It was also chosen as The Book Trust’s Bookmark Book of the Month.

Click here to find out how the book was made.

Medikidz: What’s up with Tamara? is aimed at slightly older children and teenagers. The comic book has been based around a real teenager, dealing with ABI. Readers follow superhero, Tamara as she is whisked off to Mediland for an encounter with Medikidz.


Acquired brain injury in children: a parents' handbook is aimed at parents of children who have had ABI.

The publications have been entirely charitably funded and are available for a handling charge of £3.50.

Click here to visit the bookstore.

Thank you to the sponsors of the books.

New Year, New Blog

2014 is an exciting year for The Children’s Trust as we celebrate 30 years of being the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury.

A lot has changed in that time, more than we would have imagined three decades ago, including the birth of blogging! But what hasn’t changed is our commitment to support the children we work with and put them at the heart of what we do. We’re helping more children from across the UK than ever before, providing them with expert rehabilitation, therapy, care and education.

In fact we’re so proud of what we do and have so much wonderful news to share with you we’re launching this new blog. Ta da! It’ll give you an insight into who we are and what we do, as well as giving you the chance to meet some of the inspiring children and young people we’ve helped. So watch this space (and if you have anything you’d really like to know please tell us!)

You can also follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/childrenstrust and Twitter www.twitter.com/childrens_trust - don’t forget to say we sent you!