BUILDING For the Future (BFTF) met with some of its core supporters in the sumptuous surroundings of Cliveden House Hotel.
The parent-led charity helps disabled children and their families to flourish, and has recently opened its new Treehouse SEND Centre for sensory play and skills development, in Thames Valley Business Park.
Its previous premises restricted the services the charity could offer.
Moving into a new purpose-built 3,500sqft centre has enabled it to expand its facilities, and to create dedicated spaces for young adults.
Keen to share good news with supporters, BFTF treated its guests to tea with the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Ren Kapur MBE, at Cliveden House Hotel.
Over beverages and scones, guests were able to watch a short video of The Treehouse, highlighting its thoughtfully designed features.
The new centre incorporates soft play areas, sensory areas, outdoor play and exploration spaces, as well as areas designated for creativity and activity.
Young people can learn practical life skills in a specially built height-adjustable kitchen, and families can make use of a carers kitchen.
Specialist mobility equipment, including hoists to lift young people, and suitable changing rooms, make visiting The Treehouse much easier for families with a disabled youngster.
The centre is already proving to be very popular.
Jane Holmes, BFTF founder, said: “We have more than 1,800 people coming through our doors in a year, but the Treehouse will enable us to serve even more families now.
“Bringing up a disabled child can be very tough,
“Having somewhere to meet and connect with other families that understand the challenges is vital.”
Among guest supporters at the event were: High Sheriff of Berkshire, Ren Kapur MBE; Jane Jefferys, new business director of Willmott Dixon; Rachel O’Sullivan, Willmott Dixon’s supply chain manager; and Wokingham Borough Councillor Leon Cook.
The room was gifted to the charity by the hotel’s sales director, Lisa Lernoux-Dock, another longterm supporter of the charity.
Jane Holmes said: ‘We were so thrilled to hold our corporate event at the beautiful Cliveden House Hotel.
“Being able to share our story with people is always powerful and important and it was great to share the success of the charity with supporters old and new.
“We were honoured to be joined by the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Ren Kapur MBE who, as a charity CEO herself, well understands what is involved in running a charitable organisation, so to have her there was absolutely lovely.”
BFTF is unique – run by parents who maintain the charity often alongside caring for their own disabled children.
All its facilities and services are offered entirely free of charge to families.
Despite this, it has not taken a penny from the Local Authority, preferring instead to rely on fundraising, donations, grants, and renting out its facilities for venue and party hire.
For information, visit: bftf.org.uk and clivedenhouse.co.uk
