From Chief Officer Lisa Keenan,  

"Two years ago in October 2023 a group of us met here and there were a number of people then that are here now, Trustees, our Family Support Group, Pickering Town Council and Mrs Ropner. 

We were stood in a field, just grass, nothing else. So to be stood here today, two years later, in front of this completed, fully functioning fabulous building is a huge success 

It is has been a lot of hard work to get here involving lots and lots of people. Many thanks to our amazing project team, Project Manager, Constructing Team, Architect and Trustee James Cundall, who have got us here practically. 

 

Of course huge thanks to you who have helped raise the money needed for the building. There are the organisations who have given us grants, like Pickering Town Council and The Opportunities Holiday Trust; people who have been involved with Ryedale Special Families’ fundraising events like our cycle challenge, and Ben Nevis Climb last year, our Skydivers. Our Family Support Group who run bingo sessions. Then many others who have done their own fundraising events, like the Pickering Mindful Milers. And people and businesses who have bought raffle tickets, bought a brick and donated regularly to the charity. 

 

So I am delighted to have you here now to be able to say ‘Ta dah!’ This is what you have created. All that fundraising and hard work and resulted in this fantastic modern accessible building. What you have done is given Ryedale Special Families the space to support local families who have disabled children. From this building we can give social care support, specialist education, teach people how to cook, hold our weekly youth group, parent and carer group sessions, and this is all happening right now – and will continue for years to come, there will be thousands of people given support via this building. 

 

From everyone at RSF thank you so much for supporting our work." 

 

Angela Waites, mother of 19 year-old Emerson said, “The new building that Ryedale Special Families have built has brought such change to our family. In the old space, he hesitated, often staying in the car or close to the door, often unsure and overwhelmed. In this new environment, something has clicked, the light and openness of the building has given him confidence and security. He moves happily through every area, exploring with curiosity instead of apprehension. Watching him access the whole building feels like watching new possibilities open before him. The transformation has lifted a weight from our family; less stress, more hope, and a sense of relief we didn’t know we needed. This simple change in surroundings has created a profound shift in Emerson’s comfort, independence, and joy.”