Make Them Smile

13/08/2026

🌱 Our Aviva Community Fund campaign is now live! 🌱

💚 If you can, please donate through our official Aviva Community Fund page:

👉 https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/inclusive-accessible-outdoor-learning-children

Every child should have the opportunity to enjoy, explore and learn outdoors—but for many children living with disabilities and complex additional needs, inaccessible spaces and unsuitable equipment can make this difficult.

Make Them Smile is raising £10,000 to help create safe, inclusive outdoor learning opportunities for children who might otherwise be unable to take part. The funding will provide accessible outdoor spaces, adapted equipment and learning resources that support children’s wellbeing, confidence and connection with nature.

Every contribution, however small, will bring us closer to our target. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this post would also make a real difference by helping us reach more people.

Together, we can help ensure that outdoor learning is open to every child.

Thank you for supporting Make Them Smile. 🌻

13/06/2026

We are currently seeking funding to provide a specialist rehabilitation stroller for a young child living with multiple complex medical conditions.

The child has significant neurological and medical needs, including epilepsy, hydrocephalus, a rare chromosome disorder, and severe swallowing difficulties. Due to these challenges, a standard pushchair or buggy is simply not suitable or safe.

Every donation, no matter how large or small, brings us one step closer to providing the specialist support this child urgently needs.

Thank you for helping us continue to bring smiles, independence, and opportunities to children and families facing extraordinary challenges.

For more info on this and other appeals we currently have please visit www.makethemsmile.org.uk

Thank you,

16/05/2026

CURRENT APPEAL:

We are currently raising money for a young man named Jamie, he is a bright 9-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a severe communication disorder. While he has complex thoughts, his speech is highly muddled, limiting his ability to interact, learn, and socialise, and affecting his mental health.
During a trial with a NovaChat 8 with Spelling, Jamie’s communication, motivation, and social engagement improved dramatically.

A permanent device, for use at home and school, would allow him to express himself, develop language skills, and gain confidence.

The device costs £4,560.

Any contribution would make a life-changing difference to Jamie, giving him a voice and greater independence.

PLEASE VISIT WWW.Makethemsmile.org.uk to see how YOU can make a difference.

31/01/2026

BUTLINS SKEGNESS HOLIDAY HOME

Just a gentle reminder that We at Make them smile have Respite/holiday home at Butlins Skegness, the Breda Nagle respite holiday home, along with our two respite/holiday homes at Haven’s golden sands in Mablethorpe will allow us to provide holidays and respite for approximately 150 families each year.

All are wheelchair friendly and have been adapted to suit people with a wide variety of disabilities.

Full info about the home/butlins and what to except can be found on our website makethemsmile.org.uk

We are looking forward to welcoming many of you and for you to have a very well deserved break.

15/12/2025

Growing at Home: Horticulture for Every Child

This project will deliver Home Growing Horticultural Packages to at least 100 children across the UK who are either living with disabilities or growing up in poverty. These packages will enable children to engage directly with nature, learn about biodiversity, develop life skills, and enjoy the therapeutic and educational benefits of gardening—either in their gardens or indoors.

Gardening is widely recognised as a therapeutic, inclusive activity that promotes emotional wellbeing, cognitive development, and physical coordination—especially important for children with learning disabilities or sensory impairments

We aim to:

1. Enable 100 children to actively participate in home gardening regardless of space or mobility.

2. Improve children’s understanding of the environment, sustainability, and biodiversity.

3. Promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through contact with nature.

4. Provide sensory and therapeutic benefits to children with disabilities.

5. Encourage family bonding and healthy living through growing vegetables and plants.

Each child will receive a tailored Home Growing Horticultural Package which includes:

• Indoor or outdoor growing trays or raised beds (based on the child's home environment)

• Safe, child-friendly gardening tools and gloves

• Gardening bags/tool carriers

• Wellington boots (where required)

• A selection of seeds (flowers, herbs, and/or vegetables)

• Propagators and compost/soil bags

• Froggy Watering Can

• A ready-made terrarium jar – a low-maintenance indoor mini-ecosystem

Children will also receive an easy-to-follow illustrated guide to help them grow and care for their plants.

Please kindly visit www.makethemsmile.org.uk for more information and see how YOU can make a difference!

National Registered Charity Number: 1150013 providing aid to families with children under the age of 18 with life limiting illnesses by providing provisions including, but not limited to respite and equiptment.