Kane’s World
A Safe Space for SEND Families
A Message from Kelly
Hello, my name is Kelly, and I’m a 45-year-old mum of four. My youngest child, Kane, is my greatest inspiration and the reason behind Kane’s World. Life has brought me plenty of challenges, but every single one has shaped me into the determined and resilient person I am today. Above all, I’m a proud mum.
Kane is 5 years old. He has global developmental delay, is non-verbal, and is on the autism pathway. Despite the challenges, Kane is the most incredible little boy, full of joy, curiosity, and love. As you can see from the photo above, he is beautiful—quite simply the most beautiful boy I have ever seen—and I feel blessed every single day to be his mum.
Kane’s journey has taught me so much about patience, strength, and the unique ways children with SEND experience the world. He loves the rain and the wind on his face; his belly laugh when the wind blows against his cheeks is absolutely infectious. Kane is a sensory seeker—he loves to climb, jump, and explore. These are the ways he regulates himself and finds peace. But his sensory-seeking tendencies often come with risks, as he has no awareness of danger or fear.
Traditional play centres simply don’t work for children like Kane. The restrictions, the judgement, and the lack of understanding mean we can rarely enjoy spaces that should be fun and freeing. This is why I am so passionate about creating Kane’s World—a space where children like Kane can thrive, and families like ours can feel safe, understood, and welcome.
The Vision for Kane’s World
Kane’s World will be a purpose-built soft play and sensory centre exclusively for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children and their families.
This will be more than just a play centre—it will be a place where children can be themselves without judgement or unnecessary restrictions. If they need to take their shoes off to feel the ground, they can. If they need to climb, jump, or stim, they can. And if parents need a break from feeling anxious or out of place, they can finally relax, knowing they’re surrounded by people who truly “get it.”
What Kane’s World Will Include
- A Sensory-Seeker Play Area: Designed for children like Kane, with slides, climbing frames, trampolines, and balancing equipment to allow freedom and movement in a safe environment.
- A Sensory-Avoider Room: A calming space with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing equipment for children who need quiet time.
- Quiet Rooms: For children experiencing meltdowns, giving families a safe, private space to regroup.
- On-Site Facilities: Fully accessible changing facilities, and a café offering snacks, cakes, and hot and cold drinks for families.
Activities and Services
Kane’s World will offer much more than just play. We’ll provide:
- Workshops and Experiences: Tailored activities like dance therapy, massage therapy, sound baths, and animal encounters to support children’s development and wellbeing.
- Parties: Specially designed birthday party packages to give SEND children the celebrations they deserve.
- Support for Parents: Drop-in sessions with SEND professionals and organisations to ensure families can access the support they need.
- Group Bookings for Schools: Regular sessions for SEND classes from mainstream schools, providing a safe, fun environment for outings.
Why Kane’s World Is Needed
SEND families in Darlington, surround areas amd beyond, currently have very limited options. There is only one soft play centre offering a SEND session, and that’s for just one hour per month on a Sunday morning. That’s it—one hour in an entire month.
The closest sensory play area is 15 miles away, with a capacity of just 14 people, including supervising adults. For many families, these spaces are inaccessible, impractical, or simply not enough to meet their needs.
Kane’s World will change this by creating a larger, fully inclusive space with a capacity for 40 children, designed specifically for SEND children and their families.
Why I Need Your Help
Creating Kane’s World is a big dream, but it’s a vital one. I’m asking for £75,000 to help turn this vision into reality. These funds will go towards:
- Renting and outfitting a suitable space.
- Purchasing sensory and play equipment.
- Creating a safe, accessible environment for children and families.
- Covering initial operational costs to get the centre up and running.
Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to providing SEND families with the space they so desperately need.
The Demand Is Clear
To understand the need for this centre, I ran a survey on social media, and the response was overwhelming. In just 30 hours, 329 people completed the survey, sharing deeply personal reasons why Kane’s World is so important.
One parent said:
"”Amazing—it would be the perfect place to chat to other parents and get advice, while our children can freely be themselves and not be judged."
This is just one example of the many heartfelt responses we received. The need for Kane’s World is undeniable.
Join Us in Creating Kane’s World
Kane’s World is not just for Kane—it’s for every SEND child and their family who deserves a space to play, explore, and belong. Together, we can create a space that transforms lives, builds community, and celebrates every child for exactly who they are.
Thank you so much for your support,
Kelly