Brody's Trust

In Loving Memory of Brody – Help Us Build a Sensory Hub for Children with Additional Needs My name is Nikki, and I’m the founder of Brody’s Trust – a charity born from love, loss, and a powerful desire to make the world better for children like my son. Brody was my everything. He was born with complex medical needs and a rare neurological condition that affected every part of his development – but to us, he was simply Brody. Our boy. Our sunshine. He had this magical ability to draw people in, to make you see the world differently. You couldn’t meet him and not feel something shift in your heart. He never spoke a word, but he didn’t need to. Brody communicated through his eyes, his sounds, his laughter, and the way he’d reach out to hold your hand when he knew you needed comfort. He was cheeky, funny, determined, and incredibly strong. He loved music – especially drums and songs with a good beat – and he had a special connection to light and colour. Bubble tubes, fibre optics, wind chimes, even the way sunlight danced through leaves – he noticed it all. It calmed him, brought him joy. He lived in those moments. Despite his challenges, Brody showed us the beauty in slowing down. He taught us how to celebrate the smallest milestones. Every smile, every new movement, every peaceful night was a victory. He changed our entire view of what it means to live fully and love fiercely. But alongside the joy, there was pain — not just from his condition, but from a world that wasn’t built for him. We struggled constantly to find places where Brody could go without being overwhelmed or excluded. Sensory rooms were few and far between, and even then, most were inside hospitals, short appointment slots, or attached to therapy services. There was nowhere we could go just to be — as a family, together, without pressure or stares or risk. We often felt like we had to fight for everything — to be seen, to be heard, to be included. And that takes a toll. The emotional and physical exhaustion of parenting a child with complex needs is something only those who’ve lived it can truly understand. But still, we’d do it all over again. Because Brody was worth every second. Brody passed away, and my world shattered. But in the middle of that grief, a flame sparked — a need to make sure his life meant something far beyond our little family. I knew then what needed to happen. We’re building Brody’s Sensory Hub – the space we always wished existed. This will be a dedicated, fully inclusive sensory centre in Gloucestershire for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families. A warm, welcoming, purpose-designed place where children can feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Where parents can breathe. Where siblings can play without fear. Where joy and support go hand in hand. Our vision for Brody’s Sensory Hub includes: 🌈 A multi-sensory room with lights, sounds, textures, and movement – fully adaptable for children with sensory processing difficulties, autism, complex needs, and neurological conditions 🛝 Indoor & outdoor play spaces with accessible equipment so that every child, regardless of ability, can enjoy the simple pleasure of play 🧘‍♀️ Quiet rooms for emotional regulation and therapeutic activities – soft spaces to retreat when the world feels too big ☕ A family café and community room for parents and carers to connect, rest, and find peer support – because no one should walk this journey alone 🎨 Workshops, inclusive events & family days that truly welcome SEND families – with trained staff and volunteers who “get it” This is more than a building. It’s Brody’s legacy. A place filled with light, love, and laughter – everything he embodied. But we can’t do it without help. Every donation – big or small – will go directly into bringing this vision to life. That includes purchasing land, designing the space alongside experts in SEND support, building safe and accessible facilities, and equipping it with specialist sensory tools and equipment. You’re not just funding a building. You’re helping build a future where children like Brody – and families like ours – finally have somewhere that feels like home. Thank you for reading our story, for believing in this vision, and for helping us turn loss into light. With all my heart, Nikki Founder of Brody’s Trust Proud mum to the brightest, bravest little boy