About BOSP
BOSP is a small independent charity that has been supporting families for over 33 years. Charity Number: 1107392
BOSP improves the lives of children and young people with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions and their families by providing high-quality, fun, educational activities, support and respite care.
Why BOSP is needed
Profound learning disabilities and critical illnesses blight young lives and puts great stress on the family unit. Children and young people who are very ill or have a disability, face discrimination and substantial barriers to participation in mainstream activities, resulting in the whole family becoming marginalised and vulnerable to depression, family breakdown and social exclusion.
BOSP aims to offer children and young people with disabilities access to the same activities and opportunities as their peers, allowing them to develop independence, self-esteem and social skills in a supportive environment, whilst their families benefit from the vital break our sessions provide, enabling them to catch up on much needed sleep, spend time with their other children or just have an undisturbed shower or cup of tea.
Why BOSP is different
BOSP reaches further than the immediate children we support. Most providers only support children and young people with low levels of need, requiring less staff and/or where the parent/carer has to stay at the setting. This is less expensive and easier to deliver, as parents remain responsible on site. However, this is not what children, young people or families really need as it is far less effective in achieving positive outcomes and does not deliver proper respite. Our social clubs away from the home and main carer deliver results. We have proven time and time again that we reduce isolation and empower children and young people with disabilities, whilst providing parents and siblings with the vital break they need.
BOSP receives no Government funding and relies on charitable trusts, donations, and corporate/community fundraising to deliver our services. We aim to raise over £450,000 per annum. 89p out of every pound is spent on direct service delivery.
How can you help us to help more children and young people with complex disabilities or life limiting illnesses?
We would be grateful for any support you are able to give, from funding a specific project, contributing to overheads, such as our rent or Support Worker salaries, choosing us as your Charity of the Year or sponsoring several respite places a year, all of which helps us to continue to support some of the most isolated and marginalised children and young people.