Projects
The Projects Our Children and Families Need for the Future
At Menphys, our work begins with listening — to children who want to belong, to parents who are exhausted from fighting systems, and to families who just want to feel seen. What we hear shapes everything we do. The future projects we’ve designed aren’t abstract ideas — they are urgent answers to the lived experiences of disabled children and those who care for them. Some of our most successful services exist because someone chose to fund them. Now, we’re looking for new funders and corporate friends who want to stand with us — to help us bring these next vital projects to life.
Neurodivergent Girls’ Club
Many girls and young women with neurodivergent profiles are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or completely missed by services. This project will create a dedicated space for them to be seen, celebrated and supported — blending peer connection with emotional wellbeing support. It is designed with and for those who feel invisible. One parent told us, “Something for young women to connect and develop confidence would be amazing.” We agree. But we need your help to make it happen.
Menphys goal: to have this club live by 09/2025
Transition to Adulthood Service
When a child with SEND turns 18, the support system they knew falls away. Families are left to navigate adult health and social care, complex education transitions and unclear legal responsibilities — often alone. This project is designed to walk with families through this cliff edge, providing structured support, information and planning so young people can face adulthood with confidence, not fear. It’s an urgent response to a growing crisis.
Children Not in School
Across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, children with SEND are being left without an education — not because they’re unwilling, but because the system cannot meet their needs. Some are waiting months or even years for a suitable placement. Others have been excluded, deregistered, or pushed out by environments that weren’t built for them. This project is our direct response. It will offer targeted, structured support — combining personalised learning, therapeutic engagement and practical advocacy for families. With the right support, these children can re-engage, recover, and return to education with hope.
Sibling Support Programme
Brothers and sisters of disabled children often grow up too fast. They learn to wait, to cope, to hide their own feelings. This programme will be their space — a chance to be heard, to have fun, and to feel just as important. It will include workshops, outings and creative sessions designed to nurture mental health and emotional resilience. Because siblings matter too.
Expanded Family Advocacy and Support
In a recent Menphys survey, over 60% of parents reported feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the SEND system. Our advocacy service is already transforming outcomes for families — but the demand far exceeds our current capacity. With your support, we can grow the team and make sure every family who comes to us receives expert help with EHCPs, appeals, care packages and crisis planning.
Sensory Garden Project
We want to transform a disused area at the Menphys Hub into a fully accessible sensory garden — a tranquil, therapeutic space that engages the senses and supports emotional regulation for children with complex needs. Outdoor space matters deeply to our families, especially those who struggle with indoor environments. This garden will be somewhere they can breathe, explore, and feel safe. With funding, we can begin tomorrow.
Community Inclusion Through the Menphys Hub
Our Hub is more than a building — it’s a catalyst for inclusive practice. We want to open it up to schools, community groups and corporate partners who are ready to learn, share and change. This project would develop inclusive training, co-designed sessions with families, and hands-on partnerships that help others make real progress in accessibility and belonging. With your backing, our Hub can drive systems-level change.
Why Now Matters
Seventy-nine percent of families told us they don’t have access to inclusive clubs or groups. Over 60% report limited support during holidays. Nationally, only 5.9% of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment. These aren’t just statistics — they are children waiting, families surviving, and futures on hold. Menphys exists to change that. But we can’t do it alone. If you are a funder, a corporate leader, or someone looking to make a meaningful impact, we are ready to work with you — urgently, intelligently, and with the deep insight that comes from five decades of standing beside SEND families. Let’s build the future they need — together.
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