The opening ceremony for a new lift to improve accessibility capped off an eventful year at a centre that supports children and young people with special educational needs (Send).
The first-floor room at Congleton-based charity Ruby’s Fund is known as “Sibs”. It provides a space for siblings and young carers to have their own space for socialising.
Now that a lift has been installed, Sibs is accessible to wheelchair users.
In the autumn, High Sheriff of Cheshire Joëlle Warren MBE DL visited the Roe Street centre and presented an award to Ruby’s in recognition of its valuable services to the community.
The centre, which includes a sensory room, a sensory garden and a community café, was founded by Alison Parr in 2014. Mrs Parr’s daughter Ruby was born with the genetic condition called IDIC 15, which affects her development and health, and means she needs 24/7 care.
Mrs Parr realised there was a lack of appropriate support services available locally for families of children with special educational needs and set up Ruby’s Fund in 2009. In 2013, Ruby’s became a charity and company limited by guarantee. In 2014 it opened the doors on its Congleton centre, which it has since bought.
Since its opening, Ruby’s has grown to provide a wealth of services and support at the centre and across east Cheshire thanks to its outreach programme and mobile sensory bus.
In November, Mrs Parr made the “tough decision” to step back from her role at the charity’s helm and explained on its website that it was so she could focus on Ruby’s health as her daughter reached adulthood.
Mrs Parr said: “It’s been a tough decision, but one made with love and care. I’ve learned that I’m not Wonder Woman, and right now, I can only do one thing well, and that’s being there for Ruby.”
A new CEO was due to be appointed at Ruby’s, Mrs Parr saying that in the meantime the board of trustees, with Peter Lacelles as interim CEO, “will ensure the centre, services, and everything else continue to run smoothly”.
In October, Ruby’s hosted its inaugural thank you event at the Lion and Swan in Congleton to show its “heartfelt gratitude” to the donors and supporters “who make everything we do possible”.
During the evening, guests committed their continuing support to the charity in a pledge tree and there was an opportunity to win some exclusive Ruby’s merchandise, adding a fun twist to the evening.
Guests also watched a short video about Ruby’s sensory bus outreach project, which has been visiting schools and nurseries across Crewe to provide specialist support for children, parents, and professionals. The project earned the charity an innovation award from Crewe-based luxury carmaker Bentley.
A Ruby’s spokesperson said: “The evening was filled with warmth, conversation, and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive community. From all of us at Ruby’s Fund: thank you for being part of this journey. Your support truly makes a difference.”
