At Embrace, every act of kindness helps children, young people and families with additional needs in our area feel supported, included and valued. We are passionate about keeping our services accessible and affordable, but the reality is that what families pay covers only a small part of the true cost. 

 

That’s why fundraising and community support are so important - we couldn’t do what we do without you. 

 

To give you a clearer picture, here are just a few of the typical costs behind our sessions: 

 

• Skool’s Out costs £257.26 per young person, per session to deliver - our families currently pay £26. 

• Weekly yoga sessions cost £25.52 per person - we charge just £5. 

• ACE sessions cost £191.16 per young person - families pay on average £14. 

• Wellbeing Walks cost £95 per week to run. We charge just £2 for our families to access. 

 

We deliberately subsidise our services so that families can access the support they need without added financial pressure, and the gap between what we charge and what it actually costs is met through fundraising, donations and partnerships. There are so many ways you can help us bring the funds in, and they’re not all about giving directly yourself! How many of these did you know about? 

At Embrace we pride ourselves on the lasting change and impact we can have on the lives of the families we’re here to help, but none of it is possible without our supporters. We celebrate everyone who contributes to our work with our Circles of Support, which celebrate the many ways individuals, groups, and organisations stand alongside Embrace. 

 

Each circle reflects a different type of generosity, but all are united by one simple truth: every kind act of support plays a part in building brighter futures. So here’s a little more about what each Circle of Support means, and what we do to recognise your contribution in each one. 

Behind every charity is a group of people quietly helping to steer the ship, ask the big questions and make sure the organisation is always true to its purpose. At Embrace, that group is our Board of Trustees. 

 

In this month’s post, we’d like to introduce you to what the board does, who they are, and why they care so deeply about the families and individuals Embrace supports. 

As we look back on 2025, we’re struck by just how much warmth, energy and generosity has flowed through Embrace this year. From musical workshops and wellbeing sessions to extraordinary fundraising efforts, this has been a year shaped by people coming together: families, volunteers, partners, supporters and friends. Here are some of the moments that made 2025 really special for us. 

This time next year, we’ll be getting ready to step into a night of elegance, sparkle and community spirit as we prepare for our Prism of Colour Charity Ball! The date is set for Saturday 24 October 2026, at the Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel. 

 

This fabulous event is one of the most anticipated evenings in our fundraising calendar - and we can’t wait to welcome supporters, friends and local businesses for an unforgettable night of celebration, dining, and dancing, all in aid of a cause that changes lives. 

 

So this is your official notice to Save the Date! Read on to find out how you can help us make the Embrace Prism of Colour Ball 2026 a glittering success… 

On 30th September, we join voices - even when some voices are silent - to recognise National Non-Speaking / Non-Verbal Awareness Day. At Embrace, our mission has always been to support families living with disabilities and to ensure every individual is seen, heard and valued – and it’s important to us that we mark this day, when we reflect on, and amplify, the lives, stories and needs of people who are non-speaking or non-verbal. 

When you’re bringing up a child or young person with additional or complex needs, having the right support network around you can make all the difference. That’s where Embrace steps in. We believe in wrapping support around the entire family, because everyone’s needs matter: from toddlers to teens, from parents to grandparents. 

 

Our warm, inclusive community and the activities and services we provide are grouped into five key areas: Early Years, Young People, Adults, Families, and Wellbeing. Here’s a closer look at how we help people to thrive at every stage. 

At Embrace, we believe life isn’t about limits: it’s about possibilities. And that belief is at the heart of our new campaign: #EmbracingLifeYourWay. We’re celebrating the power, the beauty, and the individuality of family life in all its forms – and every family out there is invited to join us. 

 

Embrace has always been about supporting families living with disabilities, and showing how they can live just as joyfully, boldly and fully as anyone else – and with this campaign, we want to share in your family life too. Whatever your story, wherever you are, we want to see how you embrace life your way. 

When Simon and Amy McMurdy’s daughter Olivia was born with complex medical needs, the way they thought their family life would unfold was instantly turned on its head. “We didn’t know what to do or where to turn,” they recall. “Life wasn’t what we expected - but Embrace gave us a roadmap for how to cope.” Here’s the story of how we were able to help and support one family, and how we’re still part of their lives and their story today. 

 

The family first connected with Embrace during Olivia’s early years. “From the 

very beginning, Embrace offered fantastic support; not just for Olivia, but for our whole family,” they say. Simon and Amy describe the impact of Embrace as nothing short of life-changing. “It’s very hard to imagine what you face as a 

family when you’re raising a child with complex needs,” they say. “But Embrace do such amazing work that makes a real difference. They understand what families need: not just the children, but siblings, parents, everyone.” 

 

Embrace, says Amy, are like having an insurance policy for the times in life that you just don’t see coming. Without it, you’d be lost.