KEEN London

Photo of two athletes and two volunteers cheering with a colourful mist saying happy holi.

Happy holi to all that celebrate today

The send white paper. You may have seen media coverage about the government’s recently published SEND white paper, which sets out proposals for reforming the send system in England

We wanted to reassure you that this is only a consultation and not a law. There are no immediate changes to existing legal rights to entitlements, including EHCPs and current arrangements remain fully in place

The government will run a consultation period of 12 weeks before any further decisions are made. Any changes to the send system would be phased over several years

While keen is not directly responsible for statutory send provision, we are always here to listen. If you would like to talk anything through please get in touch

Lots of media coverage surrounding yesterday’s SEND White paper. While we are not responsible for statutory SEND provision, we want to remind you we are always here to talk. Our focus remains unchanged - to provide consistent, inclusive & supportive sessions for children with additional needs.

It’s Student Volunteering Week and we want to say a huge thank you to all our student volunteers.

In this video, Allyesha shares why she chose to volunteer with KEEN London while studying and how she balances volunteering alongside uni life.

www.keenlondon.org/volunteer-with-keen-london/

As members of the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social we’re proud to share the Young People Survey for disabled young people aged 11–25
The DCP want to understand your experiences, challenges, and ideas so we can push for real change together
https://bit.ly/YPSurvey26

Last year, KEEN London provided a safe space for children like Max. A place where he could belong, be himself, and feel accepted.

That space exists because of volunteers.

This post is for anyone thinking about trying something new this January.

https://loom.ly/09-iqtU

Looking back on an inspiring first year as Youth EDI Champion
"It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I started my role as Youth Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion. It seems like a good time to reflect on an inspiring first year.

Image says amount raised £13,910 against £20k target, four hours left

You have been AMAZING!
Whether we reach £20k or not, every donation to our @biggive.bsky.social appeal in the next 4 hours is doubled and keeps a small charity like ours opening doors to inclusive and supportive spaces for children with additional needs.

donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Here is the fabulous Phoebe opening our 2025 DOUBLE your DONATION Christmas Challenge. For one week only all donations to our @biggive.bsky.social appeal are DOUBLED. Help make some Christmas magic today donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

#givingtuesday

For many, popping to a café for a quick treat is a simple pleasure but for parents of children with additional needs this can feel out of reach.
We’re raising our coffee cups to a KEEN parent who enjoyed her first solo coffee break knowing her daughter was safe and happy at KEEN. #NationalCakeDay

From fighting for the right to education, to ensuring equal opportunities today - Disability History Month reminds us why inclusive spaces like KEEN are so vital.

#UKDHM
#DisabilityHistoryMonth
#WithKEENICan
#Inclusion

"A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers that make places like this possible. I never imagined there would be a place we would feel comfortable dropping him it is such a wonderful part of his life"

A HUGE thank you @bbccin for helping fund KEEN Club possible.

#ChildreninNeed

Our sessions are all about friendship, teamwork, and celebrating what makes each child unique. When children feel accepted and included, kindness grows and bullying has no space to thrive.

#AntiBullyingWeek
#Inclusion
#Send

Meet Sara, one of our amazing parent trustees. Sara brings lived experience and a unique perspective that helps keep KEEN accountable, inclusive, and focused on what matters most.

Thank you Sara and all our trustees for the time, care, and expertise you bring to KEEN London.

#TrusteesWeek

At KEEN, we love finding the wonder in every flicker of light - big or small
#BonfireNight #HappyBonFireNight #campfire

Over half of our new volunteers are referred via adoption agencies. Couples looking to adopt learn so much about communicating, playing & being around children at KEEN. They bring energy to our sessions, they are committed, engaged & they go on to be incredible parents.

#nationaladoptionweek

@adoptionuk.bsky.social

Logo for we are family adoption support community with quote ‘brilliant webinars, blogs, podcasts, on person groups from stage one onwards

New family social logo with quotes Everyone is very friendly and supportive The groups are very good The best resource for us Their podcast is amazing

Photo of two adoption uk magazines with quote We found adoption in more digestible than lots of books

Photo of books on therapeutic parenting with quote we loved everything by Sarah naish and Dan hughes

What resources would you recommend to anyone starting the adoption process?

We asked some of our alumni volunteer coaches who have successfully adopted to share for #nationaladoptionweek

#adoptionsupport
#adoptionjourney

Wishing a happy #Divali to all who celebrate the #FestivalofLights

There are so many ways to have a voice and we’re here for them all.
#AACAwarenessmonth

Does KEEN make a difference?
100% of parents in our recent survey said YES!

We love seeing more confidence, independence, social interaction, & physical activity because it all adds up to happier, healthier minds.
Thanks to the families who completed our summer survey.
#WorldMentalHealthDay

KEEN London bringing the grins since 2002
#WorldSmileDay
#smile

Around 80% of children at KEEN are non-speaking but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice.

We listen to vocalisations, notice body language, and tune into every smile, glance, and gesture. Because communication is more than words.
#NonSpeakingAwarenessDay

With freshers fair's a plenty & lots of new students finding out about volunteering with KEEN here is some top tips and reassurance from one of our newer volunteers. Start changing lives here https://loom.ly/09-iqtU

#Volunteering
#VolunteerLondon
#Freshers
#Studentvolunteering

@rememberacharity.bsky.social

A photo of a gentleman smiling with the text thank you Fred and the remember a charity logo

A volunteer plays outside on the grass with a preschool child at our send Raising Stars session looking at a sensory book, text reads for learning through play

A photo of our rising stars play group with children and parents holding their hands up to the sky as they sing, text reads helping our rising stars reach for the sky

Photo of a keen London volunteer and a keen London athlete jumping in the air. Text reads for remembering a charity in your will

This Remember A Charity Week we pay special thanks to a recent legacy that has enabled us to double the capacity of our early years SEND preschool service - Rising Stars.

Gifts in wills of any size make a huge difference to small charities like ours
www.keenlondon.org/giftsinwills

Free will is a wonderful thing and so is a FREEWILL. Exercise your freewill this Remember A Charity week and after taking care of the ones take a minute to remember a charity.

#RememberACharity
#RememberACharityWeek
#FreeWills

This #RememberACharityWeek, we’re joining charities across the UK to say “Thanks to” everyone who chooses to leave a gift in their Will. Your generosity transforms lives, creates brighter futures, & ensures vital services continue @rememberacharity.bsky.social

Just over one week until the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social & @letuslearntoo.bsky.social event in Parliament.
Invite your MP to find out why we are calling for change to the SEND system
Have your voice heard

https://bit.ly/FFOSEPTMP

Hello September 👋 and hello KEEN Club families, we can't wait to swing open our doors this Saturday and welcome everyone back. And to anyone new to what we do click on our link tree to find out how YOU can be a part of the fun.

#Newterm
#September
#Welcome
#WithKEENICan
#inclusion
#SEND

Ask your mp to attend the disabled children’s partnership event in parliament

It’s time to fix the SEND system. A whole generation of disabled children and those with additional needs are being let down by a broken education system

Invite your MP to the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and @letuslearntoo.bsky.social event in Parliament

bit.ly/FFOSEPTMP #FightForOrdinary