Wingate Special Children’s Trust

Fun, self-esteem development and encouragement in a safe and private environment are just some things that are offered at the Wingate Special Children’s Trust, Wrenbury, Nantwich.

Wingate Special Children’s Trust is an independent charity devoted to helping enrich lives of children and young people with all levels of disability. They do this through being a holiday centre which can accommodate children with profound and multiple learning difficulties and by offering activities such as gymnastics. They are able to offer a unique mix of residential and gym activities.

To enable them to be able to help young people fundraising is vital. Fundraising helps them get the latest equipment and subsidise holiday costs. Some funds are generated through training fees. The remainder of the money comes from support trusts that help charities make a difference.

Recently the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation showed their support through a donation. This money has enabled the centre to buy specifically designed pushchairs and specially designed non-spill cups, plates and non-slip mats.

We are grateful of support. These items help extend our range of equipment for the comfort, independence and well-being of the many hundreds of people who use our facilities. On Sunday 28th November we will hopefully be raising more funds through our Christmas Fayre at the centre from 10am-4pm with 25 stalls. The money raised will go towards subsidising holiday costs , says Chris Bridgman, Administrator.

Funds have enabled them to offer holiday accommodation. The centre has 23 bedrooms which can accommodate up to 49 children and carers. Bedrooms are over two floors and have bathrooms with specialist equipment. Each doorway is wide, allowing wheelchair access and each room is large, catering for at least one child and two carers. Many of the special needs children that stay at the centre come from inner city areas. The centre is a visit to the country for them, allowing access to a wide variety of activities and provides respite for parents and guardians.

Wingate has a 7,000 square foot gymnasium where they train disability gymnasts. Gymnastics helps the children with discipline and spatial awareness it also helps them to build up their strength and their communication skills. The gymnasium provides a safe environment for both mainstream and disabled children to have fun.
Volunteers are always welcome and needed at the centre.

Volunteers can help by doing various things such as fundraising. At the moment they are mainly looking for volunteers to help with gardening, decorating and assisting with providing evening meals. Volunteers can be from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Volunteers just need to have a few hours to spare to help out at the Wingate Centre and can either be as a one off or on a regular basis.