An innovative online charity connecting the families of disabled children
There are over 800,000 disabled children under the age of 16 in the UK. As a parent of a newly diagnosed child, this is an isolated and frightening club to have become a member of.
Over the last 5 years, Sky Badger has supported over 1.02 million disabled children and their families. With 981,958 visitors to its website and over 17,470 fans and followers on social media, its clearly reaching lots of people.
“When your child gets diagnosed with a medical condition or disability, it can feel like the loneliest place to be. You don’t know what to do, you don’t know where to turn. Sky Badger was created to give power back to families, so they know how to help their children to have the brightest futures,” said Naomi Marek from Sky Badger.
“We are here to empower other parents to connect. Technology has allowed us to share tools, to make a real difference that continues to be shared 24 hours a day in every corner of the UK.”
Sky Badger believes that family life should be full of fun and adventure – this is especially important if you have a disabled or life-limited child. There are so many fantastic charities and opportunities, but families often have no way of finding out about them. Sky Badger levels the playing field by finding educational, medical, financial and social support for families with disabled children all over the UK.
Four mothers founded Sky Badger in October 2011. Three of their children are disabled and two have life-limiting conditions. They know from first-hand experience the importance of finding the right help at the right time.
They research new charities, services and opportunities and tell families about them on their website, Twitter feed, Facebook page, YouTube video channel and a confidential helpdesk. It is available free for all and at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“We are entering the BT Connected Society Award because we want to show other struggling parents that change is possible. Technology has allowed all of us to help each other is ways we never thought possible. At 2am a ‘google’ can help a frightened parent get back to sleep and that no one with a disabled child should ever feel alone again.”
