Diverse Abilities

Diverse Abilities is Dorset's disability charity, supporting both children and adults with physical and learning disabilities, as well as providing advice and support to their families.

With respite homes, a specialist school, care in the home, activity centres, play sessions, and an advice line, the charity prides itself on being able to provide support throughout an individual's life, for as long as they are needed.

Your support makes a huge difference to the organisation:

• £5 can pay for a child with additional needs to attend an activity session of swimming, climbing, or bowling
• £12 can cover a play session for a whole family where parents can meet others in similar situations, siblings can play together, and children can receive support from a trained team
• £22 could fund an hour of vital physiotherapy to relieve pain, improve well-being, and help to prevent future health problems

The charity's services include:

• Advice Team - helping families to complete their benefits applications, appeal decisions where necessary, and complete Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Awesome Nights - a youth club for teenagers with additional needs to take part in 'normal' teenage activities
• The Beehive - is an activity hub for adults with physical and learning disabilities
• Caterpillar Club - weekly sessions in term time for children with physical disabilities from birth to two years old
• Coping with CHAOS - play and activity sessions for the whole family during the school holidays
• Langside School - a specialist independent school for children aged 2 to 19 with multiple physical and learning disabilities 
• Lawford Lodge - a respite home for young adults aged 18 to 25
• Lily's Place - a respite home for children
• Project - independent activity sessions for children and young people aged eight to 18
• Shapes - providing specialist care in the family home for children with physical disabilities
• STARs - support and play sessions for SEN siblings aged eight to 16
• Supported Living - provides care in the home for adults with physical disabilities, allowing them to live their lives as independently as possible
• Transitions - supporting young adults from Children's Services into Adult Social Care

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk to find out more about its services or to support the charity and take part in its events.