Growing Hope is a charity that brings hope to children through providing free therapy, and grows hope for families who have lost hope due to isolation or rejection. The charity’s vision is to set up 20 free therapy clinics in partnership with churches across the UK by 2030, and this target is well under way with the announcement of Growing Hope Gateshead – the charity’s fourth clinic in less than five years.

 

16.6% of children in England have an additional need and with waiting lists for therapy in the UK getting longer, Growing Hope is bridging a gap in therapy provision, so families aren’t stuck on long NHS waiting lists or sacrificing basic necessities to pay for private therapy. Since its launch in 2018, the charity has supported over 1,300 children, parents, carers, and siblings through its therapy clinics. This includes through occupational therapy, music therapy, children’s counselling and speech and language therapy, as well as through support groups for parents, carers, and siblings.

 

The clinics are run in partnership with local churches and there are currently clinics set up in King’s Cross, Brockley, High Wycombe and now Gateshead. Growing Hope is advertising for an exciting opportunity for an experienced, innovative, and highly motivated Clinic Manager to provide leadership to the Growing Hope Gateshead clinic.

 

Dr Naomi Graham, Founder & CEO of Growing Hope, said: "We know that additional needs can have a really big impact on day-to-day life. Sadly, there is not enough therapy provision available within current health services and families often report this. At Growing Hope, we want to bridge this gap. The ongoing support from Benefact Trust is enabling us to take a significant step forward in achieving our vision of seeing 20 free therapy clinics across the UK by 2030. We are delighted to be expanding our clinics into the north of England, through the launch of our fourth clinic, Growing Hope Gateshead"

 

A parent at Growing Hope Brockley, said: “The work Growing Hope do is amazing. The support we received would probably attract a waiting list of months, if not years but we were seen withing a few weeks of referral. I have told other families about Growing Hope as so many would benefit. Thank you for listening to us and helping us!”

 

Chloe Ewen, Grants Officer for Benefact Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Growing Hope with their vital work to expand the number of free therapy clinics in churches across the UK. This is already having a huge impact on children with additional needs and their families, who would otherwise struggle to cope without physical and emotional support. Congratulations to Growing Hope on the announcement of their fourth therapy clinic in Gateshead, it's been a privilege to see their continued growth and positive impact."

 

To find out more about Growing Hope, visit: https://growinghope.org.uk/