The Hargreaves Foundation supports The Seashell Trust

The trustees of the Hargreaves Foundation are pleased to announce that funding has been awarded to The Seashell Trust, a charity supporting children and young adults with the most complex disabilities in the country. Through its specialist school, college, residential care and outreach services, Seashell reaches over 8,000 people a year, including more than 150 young people with severe learning and communication difficulties, multi-sensory impairments and acute health needs.

People with disabilities face substantial barriers to physical activity and are six times more likely to suffer poor mental health. For young disabled people, being inactive can limit health, wellbeing and later employability, and they miss out on the confidence, leadership and teamwork skills that sport helps to build. Few sports programmes are able to offer the level of support that children with complex needs require.

The Hargreaves Foundation’s funding will support CADS, Seashell’s inclusive sports and activity programme, now in its 20th year. Each year CADS reaches around 300 children with complex needs through clubs held during the school holidays and every Saturday. Activities include cycling, football, sensory tennis and rebound therapy, alongside mindfulness, music therapy, inclusive drama and yoga. CADS provides one-to-one support, so that every child can take part safely and meaningfully. The programme helps young people develop confidence, self-esteem, health and fitness, preparing them for fulfilling lives in the community.