YMCA Burton receives grant to support families with special educational needs and disabilities

Around 75 local families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be helped to avoid family breakdown through a specially designed mediation service, thanks to a grant from Staffordshire Freemasons to the YMCA Burton charity.

The £55,000 grant will support the charity’s Mediation Service which has supported many families and individuals to resolve emerging issues before they escalate into crisis and relationships break down completely, by helping to identify and tackle underlying causes.

This funding will enable YMCA Burton to enhance the support it provides to vulnerable individuals with SEND and the additional barriers that can come with that.

YMCA Burton’s principal activities are designed to benefit the public and communities through Outreach, Supported Housing, Emergency Foodbank, Furniture, Mediation and Counselling and the charity is committed to providing a supportive and safe environment for those who are homeless in East Staffordshire.

They believe that the most effective way to tackle homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

The grant from Staffordshire Freemasons comes through the Freemasons’ Charity, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Catherine Miles, senior development manager at YMCA Burton, said: "We’re very grateful to Staffordshire Freemasons for this generous grant.

“This funding will make a real difference to those dealing with the complexities of navigating life with family members who have special educational needs or disabilities and reflects a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable people and reducing inequalities, enabling YMCA Burton to continue its work in creating stronger, more inclusive communities.”

Jeremy Roberts, head of Staffordshire Freemasons, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help YMCA Burton with their hugely important programme supporting families with SEND children.

“The charity’s Mediation Service does wonderful work helping to keep these families together and avoiding the terrible damage that can result from a break-up”.

Pictured from left to right: Jeremy Roberts, Head of Staffordshire Freemasons; Catherine Miles, YMCA Burton senior development manager; Peter O'Reilly YMCA Burton mediation officer; Mark Sewell, Charity Steward; Mike Santopietro, Head of Royal Arch Freemasons in Staffordshire; Eleanor Widdows, YMCA Burton Fundraising Officer; and Communications Officer Selwyn Burton.