About Us
Our purpose and aims
Children First Lewisham was established in April 2002 to help children and young people whose health, education or social needs are special. Prompted by the emerging vision of a new centre - later to become Kaleidoscope which opened in November 2006 - we wanted to add to that vision by helping parents and children play a part in the development plans of centre, by raising funds to add value to the centre ensuring a family-centred approach to service provision and a child-centred atmosphere in the physical environment.
“With the birth of a child come the hopes and aspirations of the parents of that child. An emerging concern about the child’s
development may threaten those hopes. A confirmed disability may shatter the dream. Parents have to face the new reality; family life must be positive and new dreams can be created.”
Children First Lewisham aims to support children and their families in ways outlined in our Aims and Objectives:
We are currently fundraising for improved information and advice services to support those with a newly diagnosed disability. Kaleidoscope is the newly built, award winning children’s centre in Rushey Green, Lewisham that enables paediatricians, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, health visitors, social workers, nurses and educators to work together to provide the individual support each child or young person should have.
Children First Lewisham is aiming to create an enhanced environment of support, care and friendliness associated with Kaleidoscope - Lewisham Centre for Children and Young People.
Services are available to Lewisham children and young people on a single site, accessed through a single front door. Children First Lewisham aims to make the experience of accessing services really special by providing those extras which the statutory bodies cannot provide.
Life can be very stressful for parents of children with multiple needs. Coping with diagnosis, finding out about available services and accessing care can be worrying and difficult. They face many social and physical barriers to enable their full participation in society.
Families have to access a range of health, education and social services scattered all over Lewisham and beyond.
The children and young people visiting this Centre will have a variety of developmental needs, including severe or multiple disabilities or complex emotional and behavioural concerns.
What is going to be in the centre?
This new centre is the first of its kind in the UK, and will bring together disability, mental health, education and social care that put Children First.
Who will I be helping?
Any child can have a range of disabilities and developmental disorders. Any family can be affected, regardless of their circumstances. You will be helping all these children in Lewisham.
What our Children Deserve
We believe that disabled children and their families need:
- a seamless child and family-centred service
- an environment of support, care and friendliness
- a place where diagnosis and assessment are carried out promptly
- a place where programmes and services are provided in an integrated way
The new Centre will provide just such a place for Lewisham families and children. Your support is needed to ensure this becomes a reality.