Daisy Chain Project

Charity Details

Full Name: Daisy Chain Project Teesside
Field: Health
Founded: 2003
Headquarters: Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1PF
Charity No.: 1109792

History and Activities

Based in Stockton-On-Tees, the Daisy Chain Project was founded in 2003 by Lesley Hanson whose son Jacob, has autism. Lesley was disgruntled by the lack of services available to people who were higher on the autistic spectrum. Lesley tragically passed away in 2004 following complications in surgery but her dream of a haven for children with autism has lived on and flourished into the successful charity it is today. The Daisy Chain Project provides 2129 families with support, 518 children attend activities each week and 44 adults are aided by the charity.

The charity runs state-of-the-art facilities including a £1million day centre that was opened in 2010. The day centre is used by autistic children and offers short-term respite services for their parents and carers. Parents and carers are able to partake in support groups, share experiences in a supportive environment and enjoy a well-earned break whilst their children are being cared for. The day centre is home to a range of facilities including an arts and crafts room, a soft play area, an IT suite and a sensory room that offers a relaxing environment to help children reduce their anxiety and feel safe.

The charity also runs a farm that has become a popular attraction for children. The farm has a variety of animals including pigs, sheep, rabbits, alpacas, reptiles and even skunks. Animals can be used as an effective tool to encourage interaction and provide companionship for children with autism, many of whom struggle to develop relationships, even with members of their own family.

Although the charity predominantly helps children, they also offer a wide range of support services for adults with autism. The adult group is for people aged 18-30 that provides a relaxed environment for members to make new friends and socialise. The charity also delivers an employability course which helps adults with autism gain qualifications to enhance their CV. Using their strong community links with a variety of businesses and charities in the local area the charity can also provide supported work placements. Programmes such as these can help enhance member’s employability and social skills as well as boost their confidence.

The Daisy Chain Project is not only a highly successful charity providing support to its own community, but through visits and guided tours to external organisations, provides an inspirational model for organisations throughout the country. The Charity received just under £2million in total income for 2017 and spent £947,587 on charitable activities.

Vital Statistics (year to 31/05/2017)

Website
https://www.daisychainproject.co.uk

References