A Permanent Home for BounSEN CIC

Aim

Raise £100,000 to help build a safe, fun & accessible space for children and adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.

BounSEN CIC is currently run by two directors, myself and Joanne. 

I’m a mum of two and I have a 10 year old son. He has an intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, ARFID and a chronic sleep disorder. 

Joanne, mum of three, has two children who both have autism and global developmental delay. Her daughter is 6 and her son is 4. Her daughter also has PDA (pathological demand avoidance), PICA, sensory processing disorder, hypermobility and low muscle tone. She is currently being referred for ARFID and is also awaiting results for genetic testing due to rapid growth.

We both understand first hand just how much this is needed and we are absolutely prepared to do  what it takes to make this happen. 

For those who aren’t familiar with BounSEN, we are a very small non profit organisation currently running “pop-up” sessions for children and adults with learning disabilities, autism and other needs.

We hire halls, inflatables, a face painter and have small portable sensory equipment for sensory group sessions, to provide families with something that is so desperately needed.

But this was never meant to be the end goal.

Our long term goal has always been to have a “permanent home” for BounSEN which would be accessible throughout the whole year and not just a few days during the holidays. 

A permanent building where it’s so much more than what BounSEN already is.

Imagine an accessible space with sensory facilities, soft play, calming areas, everything they need to regulate, outdoor activities, specialist changing facilities and more. 

And that’s why we are crowdfunding.

We are trying to raise £100,000 to help us take the first steps towards making this vision a reality.

We know this is a substantial target but we also know this figure alone won’t cover the costs. Respectfully, we need to stop waiting for the perfect circumstances and start creating the foundations that will eventually allow us to get there.

All funds raised will be used towards professional surveys, planning and design work, specialist advice, accessibility and safety requirements, initial equipment and development costs and helping us progress towards securing and creating a suitable space. We appreciate the size of this project is huge, so we will of course be seeking grant funding and fundraising ourselves in between.

We don’t know the timeline of this project, but we do know that it needs to be done. 

As we approach the end of another long, isolating and exhausting summer holiday for many, it’s evident to us that this vision is no longer feasible for the near future.

We HAVE to start now.

I want to be honest and upfront about why we need a centre dedicated to children and adults with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs.

First and foremost- the disabled children and adults themselves.

This isn’t a want. It’s a need.

For those whose nervous systems rely on specialist equipment, resources and activities to regulate and function. For those who need vestibular and proprioceptive feedback because it’s crucial to their comfort, happiness and wellbeing.

For those who may have “outgrown” certain activities physically and chronologically, but whose minds may still be at an age where they enjoy and benefit from them.

They deserve a place to have fun in the way they know how.

Free of judgement. Free of stares. Free of certain expectations.

Secondly- the parent carers.

Many are exhausted, isolated and to put it lightly, surviving. Living in a constant state of flight or fight. Many are sleep deprived. 

Forever battling to adapt in a mainstream society where specialist sessions are few and far between.

For some, that battle begins the moment they leave their front door and continues until they return.

When sleep deprivation, guilt, constant worry and pure exhaustion are added to the mix, “just ignore it” isn’t that simple.

And then there are the siblings. Not every sibling, but many. 

Fun times are often cut short because their disabled sibling struggles to cope in certain mainstream environments. But they shouldn’t have to constantly adjust to places that truly aren’t designed with their families in mind.

Wouldn’t it be great if siblings could enjoy themselves too, alongside their disabled brother or sister, in a safe, fun and non-judgmental space?

Something HAS to give.

We need to give these families a chance.

A chance to experience the beautiful, carefree moments that so many other families take for granted.

The positivity.

The joy.

The laughter.

The feeling of belonging somewhere.

And not just for an hour a week. Not just on the odd occasion.

This is 2026.

We are not naive enough to believe our vision will eliminate all the judgement and difficult moments families face outside that building.

But we are confident it will give families something they currently don’t have:

An option.

An option to access fun activities, specialist resources and equipment, all under one roof.

A safe space where they don’t have to second guess whether it’s the right place for their children.

Somewhere where acceptance isn’t an afterthought.

Somewhere to make memories as a family unit.

Some people may call us “dreamers”… but no one got anything done by sitting on a dream.

Please, help us build a true lifeline, that will mean everything to countless families across Kent.

I genuinely believe that together, we are capable of turning this vision into a reality. A reality where acceptance is the foundation from the very beginning, not an adaptation made afterwards.

If you are unable to donate, you can still help us by sharing this far and wide. No amount is too small and is truly appreciated. 

Thank you.
Charlene and Joanne

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 25th November 2026 at 9:11pm