TO celebrate Springboard Opportunity Group's 40th anniversary, Stefan Mackley has been looking at the stories of some of the children who attend the centre, are due to leave or have already left and their experiences of the group.

Founded 40 years ago, Chippenham charity Springboard Opportunity Group has been supporting young children with disabilities and their families from across Wiltshire, helping hundreds over the decades.

From small beginnings at The Bridge Centre in 1976, the charity has operated out of Lodge Road since 2010, with its premises including two play areas, a sensory room and a garden.

Chippenham’s Hannah Reeves attended the centre from 2005 to 2009 after being diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome – a rare genetic condition which can cause low muscle tone, cognitive disabilities and a chronic feeling of hunger.

The 11-year-old is now due to start at Rowdeford School in September and her mum, Anne, is confident that the help she received at Springboard will allow her to thrive in a mainstream school.

“She’s going into a mainstream school but it would have been different had she not gone to Springboard,” said the 44-year-old, who works at Springboard doing business administration.

“As a parent I never had any expectations whether it was going to be a mainstream school but that is the most appropriate for her, she thrives on watching other students.

“She was assigned to Springboard at the age of six months after she was diagnosed.

“She couldn’t turn over in the cot, she never cried for food which we were told was very unusual not to have a baby cry for food.

“We had to set alarms to feed her, but it’s gone from one extreme to the other though as she’s always hunger driven.”

Ms Reeves’ second daughter, ten-year-old Callie, helps fundraise for the charity and supports her older sister, who regularly re-visits the charity.

“She says she is lucky to have a special needs sister as she doesn’t have the usual sister arguments and fights, but she does need to help and support her sometimes,” added Ms Reeves.

“She feels she is the lucky one to have her as a sister.

“I was quite shocked when Hannah was diagnosed, you never expect to have a special needs child but having that support network at Springboard helped.

“I valued the support we received so highly, I volunteered to give something back.

“It’s hard to put into words what Springboard does, but the people, the ethos and the passion should be bottled and sold.”

If you have your own Springboard story or pictures, send them in to Jane Boulton at manager@springboardchippenham.co.uk.