Dingley’s Promise

About Dingley’s Promise Dingley’s Promise provides support and education to children in the Early Years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In our 3 centres in Reading, Wokingham and Newbury, we ensure that every child learns in the way that suits them, in an inclusive and supportive environment, which enables them to reach their full potential.

How we support children We ensure that every child with SEND, regardless of their perceived ability, is given an equal opportunity to develop and thrive. In our specialist centres, we deliver ‘Learning Through Play’ sessions which are tailored to each individual child’s needs to give them the best start.

Our collaborative work with families and other professionals gives children the best chance of achieving their potential and transitioning effectively to the next stage of their education.

How we help families Our Family Support Programme offers a range of individual and group activities aiming to reduce isolation and uncertainty. We provide a link between families and offer guidance which helps them to access vital early interventions for their child

Our holiday playschemes for children with SEND and their siblings provide vital respite for parents and carers and crucial continuity for children.

How we share best practice We offer nationwide training courses, which develop the skills and confidence of Early Years professionals, to create a more inclusive sector. Our consultancy with local authorities supports their planning and delivery of strategies in the Early Years and the best practice we share with specialist early years providers encourages better interaction with mainstream services. We are committed to ensuring that the voice of children with SEND in their Early Years is heard by decision makers at a local and national level.

Dingley’s Promise are committed to transforming Early Years for children with SEND, but the recent pandemic has had a devastating effect on many children and families.

The demand for our support and services have never been greater. This year we need to raise a further £180k to fund our work in our centres and through outreach. We are therefore asking the community to get involved and support us in any way they can, whether this be through volunteering, fundraising, donating or helping to increase awareness of our charity.

If you would like more information about our services, please email admin@dingley.org.uk or visit our website www.dingley.org.uk for more information.

The impact you could have:

£15 pays for an hour’s 1:1 support session for parents of a child with SEND, with our dedicated Family Support Team. Providing skills and knowledge training, emotional support and signposting to key services.

£20 pays for a Recovery Learning and Play session for one child including support with Physical development, Emotional wellbeing and Speech and Language, all key areas impacted by the isolation of the Covid 19 pandemic.

£100 pays for a Family Support Worker to visit 5 local families needing outreach support who are on centre waiting lists and in need of signposting and advice.

Dingley’s Promise was the only “service” we heard from throughout the whole of lockdown, all other services just seemed to stop running, stopped contacting us and it was as if it was deemed our daughter (and us) suddenly didn’t need any support, when in fact, our support needs had increased. Lily has been most effected by the lack of routine, lack of seeing people and learning. This has had a negative impact on the development of social skills and ability to interact with others. I feel worried about the long-term impacts on Lily, but we have faith in the support she receives at Dingley’s Promise to help her to continue to grow and develop and with additional support, to eventually recover from this challenging time.” Helen - Mum of Lily at our Newbury Centre