On Friday (11 August), Caudwell Children opened their doors to the award-winning Caudwell International Children's Centre, based in Keele, for their free family fun day. 

The open day was the perfect opportunity for families to learn more about Caudwell Children, the services the charity offers and how they are striving towards changing lives, society and charity. 

Since 2000, the charity has supported over 78,500 autistic children and children with a disability.

Families were given the opportunity to walk around the building at their own leisure, looking around the facilities and staff were available to talk about services as well as career and volunteering opportunities. 

The unconventional Menagerie showed off variety of wildlife including an artic fox (Caudwell Children).

Visitor, Melissa Brown, said: "It was amazing to see the amount of people at the open day, it's lovely to see so many families and feel as though you fit in.

"Caudwell Children have helped me so much. I was at a loose end back in 2018 and knew that something wasn't quite seen and noticed in Levi. 

"I did a lot of research and I first came across the sensory backs and after ringing up about them, I was advised about the autism service. 

"After Levi was diagnosed our outlook as a family and for Levi as an individual has dramatically changed - it's all due to us now having the right support in place and it's all thanks to Caudwell Children."

During the Open Day, families and children could take part in numerous activities including: powered wheelchair football, wheelchair basketball, cake decorating and Book of Beasties. 

Visitors were invited to look around the services on site and staff were on hand to answer any questions (Caudwell Children).

The unconventional Menagerie welcomed animal lovers and showed off a variety of wildlife that they had previously rescued, including an artic fox, baby meerkat, hedgehog, several species of snake, scorpions and an alligator.

Face painting, an ice cream van and a digger also made an appearance and attendees could also take part in a raffle where the proceeds went straight towards funding for Caudwell Children's services.

Dylan a previous Caudwell Children beneficiary was in attendance and demonstrated his powered wheelchair football skills with St George's knights.

Dylan said "Caudwell Children got me started with my first football chair and this allowed me to start my wheelchair football career.

"I got into wheelchair football because I saw a demonstration at an open day Caudwell Children did previously. Someone from the Wheelchair Football Association was there.

"Caudwell Children has changed my life immensely, I'm a more confident person and the social and emotional benefit the wheelchair football provides me with is huge. Without Caudwell Children I couldn't do powered wheelchair football."

For more information about Caudwell Children's services, visit the website.

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