SPACE are a Hertfordshire based charity that support families of children and young people who are neurodivergent. Neurodivergence is the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical” and comes in many different forms including: Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, and Tourette’s. In the UK it is estimated that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent and it is important to note that this can come in many different forms and manifest itself in many varied ways. For some it can mean that they are better at some things than many other people and for others additional support or adjustments are required.

SPACE’s devotion to assist families with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) shines through in all of their incredible work and at The Mailing Room we are incredibly proud to have previously supported SPACE via a donation to help run one of their important events.

SPACE began in 2007, became a registered charity in 2017 and now provides a wide range of support to families in the Hertfordshire area. They know first-hand the challenges families can face living with and loving young people who are neurodivergent, as well as the joy it can bring. To help assist families SPACE offer a range of family support including bespoke practical support, one-to-one advice, action plans, and help navigating local community resources. In order to provide this support SPACE use workshops and support groups to help create a safe and welcoming environment for all families to learn more as well as providing a listening ear for any issues or triumphs the families have encountered.

As well as the support services offered by SPACE, the charity also offers specialised services to help families with specific scenarios. These range from the screening and diagnosis of ADHD to the tutoring of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to 1-1 therapeutic and therapy sessions as well as many other vital services. For young people with SEND this kind of tailored support is invaluable in helping to nurture skills and develop understanding of their needs.

As well as support for those who are neurodivergent themselves SPACE also helps to train others from all backgrounds in how to help support the needs of children, young people, and adults with neurodiverse conditions. The wide variety of courses and workshops available are provided by the SPACE trainers who as well as being professional trainers are also either parent carers or have long-term backgrounds in working with children and families. This support is available in school settings as well as corporate environments and again is invaluable to ensure people of all ages with neurodivergent conditions are supported at all stages of their life.

SPACE also have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) equipment lending library containing specialist sensory, practical, and educational equipment that families can access for free. Equipment available from the lending library includes weighted blankets, wobble cushions, and compressions sheets as well as toy items such as trikes. For families this service is incredibly useful to help decide on the equipment that may be right for their child before purchasing items that can often be expensive.

The Mailing Room are proud to have supported SPACE and hope to support the charity again in the near future. If you are interested in the assistance offered by SPACE or would like to support them, please visit them at the website – https://spaceherts.org.uk/.