Footsteps’ Spider Therapy supports disabled children to develop independent life-skills and show greatly improved levels of confidence, reaching milestones that previously seemed unattainable. This is an intense physiotherapy treatment suspending the child in the centre of a universal exercise unit (UEU) by using a number of elastic bungee cords of different elasticity. This allows the child to move independently while controlling their movements with greater precision and ease, as well as strengthening parts of the child’s body to improve gross motor, fine motor and cognitive development.

Spider therapy is not provided by the NHS and many families travel long-distances for support. Disability and poverty are closely linked, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. Low income limits access to the very services that could improve their child’s quality of life and long-term prospects.

This grant will fund 17 children from economically disadvantaged households to attend the 3-week intensive programme. Footsteps’ Spider therapy is life-changing for children and their families, encouraging independence, enhancing social inclusion, and economic advancement and helping to break the link between poverty and disability.