Designing a better future for children with brain conditions

As many as 150 children with brain conditions such as cerebral palsy and their families will benefit from specially designed mobility and sensory aids, thanks to a £38,749 grant from South Wales Freemasons to the Cerebra charity.

Cerebra’s Innovation Centre is dedicated to designing and making bespoke products that enrich a child’s life, giving them the experiences that would not otherwise be possible.

These include specially-designed postural seats which enable recipients to sit and interact more easily, and specially-designed iPad cases with colourful foam protection. As well as increasing the children’s freedom, they aim to reduce social stigma by ensuring that their mobility and sensory aids are as beautiful as they are functional. Families are provided with the finished article free of charge.

In the UK, around 500,000 children and young people in the UK live with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism or cerebral palsy. Families having a child with a brain condition face challenges every day. Even simple experiences, such as making friends, eating a meal, and playing with siblings, can be difficult.

The grant from South Wales Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Terry Osborn, Head of Income Generation at Cerebra, said:
“We’re very grateful to South Wales Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to help hundreds of young people with cerebral palsy, autism and similar conditions to enjoy everyday life in the same way as everyone else.”
Marc Lewis, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for South Wales Freemasons, said:
“I’m delighted we’re able to support CEREBRA, who do outstanding work helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community to have access to the same opportunities and lifestyle as the rest of us.”

Pictured above, from left to right: Marc Lewis, South Wales Freemasons Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Robert Payne, South Wales Freemasons Charity Officer, Terry Osborn (Head of income Generation at Cerebra) and Ross Head (Innovation Centre Designer and Developer). Ross is demonstrating one of the aids which they are working on to assist a young disabled child who wishes to learn to bowl