The charity Brighter Opportunities for Special People (BOSP) has been helping children with additional needs and their families for more than 30 years.
Based at Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, they offer respite care six days a week at their main location and across south-west Essex.
“The charity started out as a parent group, where people with children who had additional needs would babysit for each other to give them a bit of a respite and a chance to do jobs and go out and shop. This has grown to the professional respite provision we are today, providing multiple activities six days a week” said Jodie Connelly, chief executive Officer of the charity.
BOSP improves the lives of children and young adults with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions, and their families, by providing fun, educational activities, support and respite care.
The 15 clubs and support services are delivered weekdays, evenings, weekends and school holidays, for children and young people, from birth to 25 years.
The youngsters can enjoy a wide range of different activities including Saturday club, holiday activities, baby tots, sensory sessions, music therapy, youth club, counselling, skills 4 life and more.
“We provide families with dates for respite care three months in advance. This means they know what respite care they have coming up. It means a lot to them to have this support. I have messages from people telling me when they see the BOSP dates on the calendar and know respite is coming, it gives them the strength to make it through any difficult days,” said Helen.
For parents looking after the youngsters the respite is an essential break for them and the family.
“We offer up to 6 hours of respite at a time, giving families a chance to rest, shop, give time to other siblings, all the things they might not usually have the chance to do,” she said.
“For the youngsters the activities help build confidence and social skills. Parents tell us they are amazed to see their children do things like going bowling with friends and things they might have thought they would never be able to do. Many of the young people are non-verbal but parents say they become so excited when they know they are going to BOSP.”
The charity employs over 50 people who work tirelessly to provide the respite care. The vital service, has 160 youngsters on its waiting list, is looking for support.
“If the funding was there, we could support more young people,” explained Jodie.
“It is a vital service and the fact we have so many on the waiting list shows the need is there.”
Sessions take place in Basildon, Pitsea, Billericay and Brentwood, as well as in the community throughout Essex and the London Borough of Havering.
In 2022, BOSP were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the equivalent of an MBE, and the highest recognition a voluntary group can receive.
“There were lots of happy tears when we found out. We have bell that we ring if we get funding and that went off to celebrate,” smiled Jodie.
“It meant a lot to us because so often the needs of children with disabilities are not known and the award is a great way to highlight this”.
“The parents are so busy looking after the children often their voices are not heard and so people assume they are ok, but often, they are not. They are just keeping their heads above water.”
“BOSP’s vision is for children and young adults with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions, and their families to live the best life possible. If their voices aren’t being heard then we will be their voice.”
To find out more about BOSP call 01268 553117 or visit www.bosp.co.uk.
[Fundraising] BOSP formed 31 years ago and is a small independent charity that relies on the kindness of charitable trusts, personal donations, and corporate and community fundraising.
It is down to Helen Diddams, Community Fundraiser and the team to raise the £450,000 income required each year to enable the team to deliver the service.
“Fundraising for the charity is essential and something we continually work hard at” said Helen.
“As well as supporting sessions the BOSP's volunteer network helps plan personal and corporate events, helping to run BOSP Tots, Big BOSP Youth Club, BOSP’s charity balls, Christmas market stalls, summer fayres, quizzes, cake sales, virtual events, collecting fundraising pots, decorating, DIY, numerous sponsored events and the selling of cards and making of softie stars on behalf of BOSP.”
This year the annual ball will take place at Warley Country Park in Brentwood on 22 July.
The charity offers respite for 110 youngsters in south-west Essex where they can enjoy after school activities, youth club, toddler groups, weekend and holiday fun and much more.
“By receiving more funding over the years it has enabled us to grow. Three years ago we were going to be homeless and thanks to Basildon Council, we now rent premises in Pitsea,” said Helen.
“It is such a lovely place to be at Wat Tyler Country Park and it is great for the children and young people to be able to explore and play at the adventure park. We want to continue to grow in order to offer more youngsters the chance to enjoy the service.”
The charity works with a variety of other services to guide families and make sure they are receiving all the support they need.
“A big part of what we do also includes signposting families if they need additional support,” said Jodie.
BOSP Brighter Opportunities for Special People is located at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea.
if you would like to make a donation, fundraise or volunteer for BOSP visit www.bosp.co.uk.
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