The Spring Centre

The Spring Centre helps families coping with children who have special needs and disabilities throughout Gloucestershire. Services include pre-school sessions, after-school club, holiday activities, respite sessions and parents coffee mornings with a crèche for pre-schoolers and siblings.

Often the strain of coping with a special needs child means that families are stretched to breaking point and experience more disadvantage than others. This can lead to a vulnerable family unit, especially if the family receives little or no help.We strive to create a supportive, family atmosphere, helping to improve the quality of life of the individuals and families that visit us.

Every member of the family can access our services and we provide specific support to parents, for example by helping to fill in complicated forms, finding funding for equipment or driving lessons. Your support will ensure we are able to help many more children and families in Gloucestershire.

Visit the Spring Centre Website

CASE STUDY
Gary & Michael Wilcox

Gary and Michael Wilcox are brothers and have been attending The Spring Centre since they were babies. Gary is 8 years old and has severe autism. He doesn’t talk but uses an alphabet board to hold conversations, proving he is an extremely intelligent boy. His brother Michael is 10 and has Asperger’s Syndrome.

Michael likes solitary activities and doing his own thing. Favourite toys include the playstation and lego. He has severe anxieties attached to his Asperger’s such as fear of germs and dirt. He needs to sit at his own table in the dining room facing away from the other children. He has his own anti bacterial gel and his own cutlery which is wrapped. This sensitivity towards his needs has brought his anxiety levels down so he can now be a part of the dining experience.

Gary has a tendency to throw toys in the bin or down the toilet if it’s something he no longer wants. He likes to be in control of what’s going on. He is not sensitive to others emotions and does not have good social skills. Coming to The Spring Centre gives both boys social time with friends in an acceptable environment. They have differing needs which can be demanding and difficult to satisfy at home.

It also gives their mum valuable time with their younger sibling Lauren who benefits from this 1:1 without the interruptions of demands from her brothers.