After a year long battle we finally managed to secure a place at a specialist school for Riley.
Because of his mental health, vulnerability, special educational needs and anxiety Riley can't go out and play with friends like most 12 year old boys. He was offered 2 evenings a week at the schools boarding house. He in this safe supported environment he is able to socialise and forge friendships. Riley doesn't sleep or eat well on a day to day basis. This changed when he began his extended days. He is more settled and content he sleeps up to 9 hours and eats the way he should.
The Local Authority is planning to withdraw the funding for the boarding house this year and they are doing so without consideration for the boys who attend. The closure will cause boys who are already vulnerable to loose a service which they need.
Riley is already showing heightened anxiety now he has been made aware of the closure. I imagine this will be increasingly worse as time progresses.
Having to listen to my child say he wants to die is a pain I can't explain. He feels like outside of the boarding house he has no independent life. He has expressed to us and staff that the boarding house is the only place he feels normal. Where he doesn't feel judged. Where people other then his parents actually understand him and accept him the way he is. Riley is planning a 30miles cycle on Saturday Feb 25th to help raise money and awareness.
Please help us save the boarding house. If you can't donate please take a minute to share far and wide. Children should not loose services because of funding. We should be nurturing all children of all abilities. Not making situations worse for any child let alone those with disabilities.
Thank you!!!!!