Leading housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes Mercia has donated £1,000 to Signpost Inclusion in Solihull to help towards the running costs of its activities.

Signpost Inclusion CIO is a charity which runs clubs and activities for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities and their families. Their main cohort is, but not limited to, those on the autistic spectrum. Signpost Inclusion was created as a CIC in 2011 and changed to charity status in 2020.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ donation will be put towards the charity’s activity running costs, which will cover expenses such as venue hire, staff wages and replenishing equipment.

Vickie Dawkins, Activity Coordinator at Signpost Inclusion, said: “Signpost Inclusion has a family focus. We believe that, to help children with additional needs and disabilities, the whole family must be the focus.

“Research shows that families with children with additional needs and disabilities are far more likely to break down. We believe that supporting the whole family is the key to a better future, improving family dynamics and relationships.

“We aim to create positive activities for children with additional needs, thus inspiring them to achieve their full potential. Working with the local community to become more inclusive, creating a better future is of the utmost importance to us here at Signpost Inclusion.”

Like many charities and organisations, the pandemic drastically effected how the charity operated, with its community outreach and care for those with disabilities and their families severely hindered.

The pandemic and enforced restrictions had an overwhelmingly negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young people, and as a result of the lockdown, Signpost Inclusion was forced to halt all of its social activities, which included games clubs, singing and dancing groups and adventure activities.

Vickie continued: “A lot of our groups had to stop due to venue closures, but staff members still connected with families. We found we had many new families contacting us when we started our groups back, with needs becoming more noticeable whilst children were at home more.

“Sessions had to be made longer to support more groups which were smaller in size, however we found that once we could increase numbers we kept the multiple groups and expanded instead as we had waiting lists and more young people to cater for.

“Local small charities often don’t have access to large funding pots due to not being able to employ dedicated staff whose role it is to make funding applications , so we are grateful for any support we receive.”

Dominic Harman, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “As a leading developer, donating to organisations and charities in the areas in which we build is vital, and Signpost Inclusion is certainly deserving of support.

“The work that the charity carries out is of extreme importance and we are more than happy to make a donation towards its activities so that the people of Solihull and the wider West Midlands have access to the highest level of care and social activities.”