Princess Royal visits Rainbow Hub

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Rainbow Hub in Mawdesley on Friday 2 October to meet children and families supported by the charity. 

Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant Amanda Parker, the princess met Rainbow Hub chief executive Lyndsay Fahey, who presented the President of Rainbow Hub Bill Ainscough and chair of trustees Kevin Abbott.

Accompanied by Mrs Fahey and Mr Ainscough, Her Royal Highness toured the building and met children and their families, funders, trustees, staff and supporters.

The princess was able to see first hand some of the major developments in the charity’s services for children and young people with physical and neurological disabilities over the past 25 years, including the early years nursery and purpose built school.

In the classrooms, one group focused on sensory and movement skills; another on ICT where they were using interactive whiteboards and communicating through eye gaze technology; and in life skills, the children were cooking using switch adapted equipment e.g. switching on a blender using their heads or knees. In conductive education the group worked on independent and self-care skills such as dressing.

Before leaving, Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit and received a posy and painting made by the children from 18-year-old Phoebe Fahey. Phoebe, who has Moebius Syndrome, a rare neurological condition, started using the services at Rainbow Hub when she was two years old. Although she still has challenges, she is at college and loves performing on stage and dancing.

Rainbow Hub is a really special place supporting 160 children with neurological conditions and their families throughout the year. Everything they do is about increasing independence and supporting the children to be the best they possibly can. Their specialist nursery is run for children aged between two and five years old – those important early years which give each child a greater chance and more time to develop and achieve life skills.  

The purpose built school offers places for children from age four to 16 and has been developed for children with physical/neurological disabilities who deserve the same access to education as any other child, but whose families struggle to find an environment that can meet their physical, social and learning needs. 

Conductive education therapy is a holistic educational system using repetitive physical activities incorporating rhythm, song and phrases to teach greater body control. Not only does it improve motor skills and function, but it also looks at development as a whole including social, emotional and intellectual skills. The therapy is available for children and people up to the age of 25.

The combined education and health approach at Rainbow Hub helps the children to lead as full and independent lives as possible.    

Caring for a disabled child has a profound effect on all the family and Rainbow Hub have a dedicated family support worker who can off both emotional and practical support. This can be anything from filling out benefit forms and help with Education and Care Plans to fun family days out and get togethers.

Lyndsay Fahey said: “Her Royal Highness's visit to Rainbow Hub was the highlight of our very special 25th year and we are so grateful she could spare us time in her very busy schedule.  

"We were delighted to have the opportunity to talk about all the fantastic developments over the years, especially our school which has been a dream come true, thanks to our president, Bill Ainscough.”

Bill said: “The visit by Her Royal Highness is such a boost for children, families, staff and everyone associated with Rainbow Hub. We cannot thank the princess enough for her interest in all that we do.”