Variety the Children's Charity of Great Britain

19/06/2026

"As a parent of a child with special needs, I’ve learned that it’s best to take life one day at a time and not worry too much about what the future may hold. Treasure the good days, make memories, and hold them close. When the difficult days come, it’s those happy moments that remind us how far we’ve come and give us the strength to keep going."

To mark , we caught up with Nikki, mum to 12-year-old Jake, a happy young boy with autism and global developmental delay. Two years ago, we supported Jake with an Omi Budii projector, an innovative interactive projector developed to enhance communication, cognitive skills and motor development in children with SEND.

"Jake is a visual learner who benefits greatly from structure, routine, and the consistent use of visual aids in his daily life. He finds change challenging and can experience sensory overload when situations become overwhelming.

"The Omi Budii has had a positive impact on many areas of Jake’s learning and development. Its interactive and visual features support his individual learning style, helping him to engage more effectively, build new skills, and navigate daily activities with greater confidence. It has also significantly improved his hand-eye coordination and provides valuable support in helping him self-regulate during periods of distress or emotional overwhelm.

"The interactive activities on the projector also create opportunities for meaningful engagement and communication with Jake. Through these shared interactions, his speech and language skills have developed considerably and continue to progress well."

Learn more about how we are making an impact for children like Jake 👉 variety.org.uk/our-impact/

18/06/2026

"I’m worried about my son’s safety (...) Living here feels like I'm camping somewhere."

Georgia has spent 18 months in a one-bedroom top-floor flat with her eight-year-old son, who is autistic and uses a wheelchair. There are no ramps. No lift. Narrow doors he can't navigate. When she asked the council for adjustments, she was told it was almost impossible.
Georgia's story is not an exception. It's a pattern.

Variety's new report, "We Are Invisible", reveals that an estimated 21,000 disabled children are living in temporary accommodation across England today - in hostels, B&Bs, and nightly-let rooms that were never designed for families, let alone for children with complex needs.

We heard from Imogen, a survivor of domestic violence whose daughter, who has severely restricted mobility, was placed in a second-floor flat with no lift. From Rebecca, moved twice in nine months with just four days' notice, watching her daughters with developmental delays struggle to adjust each time. From Eloise, whose autistic son's support was removed and his routine shattered by a gated hostel with random monthly inspections that allowed no guests.

Behind every statistic is a family that has fallen through the gaps of a system that doesn't see them.

We're calling for urgent government action: lift the Benefit Cap for families with disabled children, ensure no disabled child is ever placed in emergency accommodation, and make it mandatory for every council to record and report this data.

These children deserve to be seen. Read the full report 👉 https://www.variety.org.uk/news-item/we-are-invisible-varietys-research-reveals-thousands-of-disabled-children-trapped-in-temporary-accommodation/

A huge thank you to The Ripple Effect for their support in amplifying these findings and helping ensure they land where they can drive real change.

15/06/2026

Read The Big Issue's story on our new report: '"We are invisible": children with disabilities in temporary accommodation'.

The report reveals children with disabilities in England are being housed in unsuitable temporary accommodation that often fails to meet their needs.

Many are placed in some of the country’s worst options, such as B&Bs and hostels that often lack essential lifts, ramps, or accessible bathrooms.

Read more 👇

Groundbreaking new research from children's charity Variety shows that a staggering number of disabled children are homeless.

15/06/2026

🚨 NEW RESEARCH: One in eight children living in temporary accommodation are disabled.

Our groundbreaking new report has uncovered an invisible crisis - thousands of disabled children across England are living in unsafe, unsuitable temporary housing, often for six to ten months, with some cases lasting over six years. And since 2010, the number of children in temporary housing has doubled.

Tragically, between 2019 and 2024, at least 74 children's deaths were partly attributable to living in temporary accommodation.

These children deserve better. Read the full findings 👉 www.variety.org.uk/news-item/we-are-invisible-varietys-research-reveals-thousands-of-disabled-children-trapped-in-temporary-accommodation/

11/06/2026

"I can use the word impactful, but it’s immeasurable what this does for our children. They can become part of society, instead of just sitting on the periphery of it."

Variety’s Sunshine Coaches are specially adapted, accessible minibuses
for SEND schools and non-profit organisations working with disabled and disadvantaged children ☀️🚐

Having a Sunshine Coach ensures children can explore places they would otherwise never visit, experience different learning environments and gain life skills — all while supporting physical, social and language development.

Variety Golf celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025 with an outstanding contribution of
43 coaches to the Sunshine Coach programme, continuing its role as the cornerstone funder
of Variety’s flagship programme.

Visit www.variety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Variety-Impact-Report-2025-digital.pdf to read the full report and learn more about how we are creating lasting change for disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

10/06/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to present our latest Sunshine Coach to the incredible students and staff at Vantage Academy in Bolton! This new coach will provide the children with vital, accessible transport, opening up a world of opportunities for day trips, community visits, and enriching educational experiences outside the classroom 🚐

A massive THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors, Landmark Group and Together. We are incredibly proud to share that the funds for this life-changing coach were raised at our North West PROPS Awards 2025!

Special thanks to Marc Goldberg from Together and Mark Hawthorn from Landmark Group. Beyond their generous sponsorship today, both Marc and Mark dedicate their time and expertise as valued members of our North West PROPS Board. Your unwavering support and commitment to helping children reach their full potential mean the world to us. We couldn't do this without you!

Here’s to many miles of smiles ahead! 🌟

09/06/2026

This , we're thinking about the young carers in our communities - children who show up every single day for a sibling, a parent, or a loved one, often without recognition or support.

At Variety, we believe that every child deserves to feel seen. Books have an extraordinary power to show young carers that they are not alone. They can also open a window for children who've never walked in those shoes - helping to build the empathy and understanding young carers deserve.

Here are four books we love for young carers and the families, friends and teachers who want to support them.

📖 "Red Sky in the Morning" by Elizabeth Laird
A classic, Carnegie-commended novel for older readers. Twelve-year-old Anna becomes a devoted carer and fierce protector of her baby brother Ben, who is born with a disability. This moving story follows Anna as she navigates love, loss and what it really means to stand up for the people we care about.

📖 "My Brother Otto" by Meg Raby & Elisa Pallmer
Told from the perspective of Piper, a sister to her autistic little brother Otto, this warm and joyful picture book shows the everyday reality of a sibling relationship shaped by difference. It captures the protectiveness, understanding, and unconditional love that so many young carers quietly live.

📖 "Jakub's Otter" by Coral Rumble
Award-winning poet Coral Rumble's debut novel follows ten-year-old Jakub, who cares for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis - a responsibility so heavy he's almost forgotten how to be a child. When he's taken on holiday to Italy, he slowly rediscovers friendship, adventure and himself. A gentle, empathetic story that shines a light on child carers' hidden lives.

📖 "Benji, the Bad Day, and Me" by Sally J. Pla & Ken Min
When Sammy comes home after the worst day imaginable, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a terrible day too. This tender, beautifully illustrated picture book - written by a late-diagnosed autistic author - reminds us that in a family shaped by neurodiversity, everyone needs care sometimes.

Do you know a young carer? This week, we're calling on all of us to recognise the children who give so much. Drop your own recommendations for books featuring young carers in the comments below. 👇

05/06/2026

The right wheelchair offers independence, freedom to explore, keep up with friends and take part in social activities and sports. Variety funds manual, powered, sports, and
all-terrain wheelchairs according to each child’s needs. Every wheelchair we provide transforms a young person's life🧑‍🦽

Our new Impact Report for 2025 highlights the life-changing difference that Variety is making for disabled children through specialised equipment and support, including wheelchairs.

Visit https://www.variety.org.uk/news-item/variety-impact-report-2025-lasting-change-for-disabled-and-disadvantaged-children/ to read the full report and learn more about how we are creating lasting change for disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

03/06/2026

“Teaching these young people life skills isn’t all about maths, English and science. It’s about enrichment, getting them out there into the big wide world because sooner or later, they’re going to leave us and they need to feel confident.” - Deborah Stone, Community Engagement Manager at Shaftesbury High School.

Children with disabilities need extra support to access the world around them, or they risk missing out on opportunities many children take for granted. For students with SEND, enrichment trips are vital stepping stones to independence and adulthood. Yet, shrinking budgets and lack of accessible transport often leave these students behind.

We are immensely proud to share that Shaftesbury High School has received a brand-new, fully accessible Variety Sunshine Coach, generously funded by The Inflexion Foundation.

Previously, the school struggled with an ageing bus that couldn't accommodate wheelchairs, leaving vulnerable students behind. Thanks to the new coach's accessible tailgate, inclusion no longer depends on transport. Every single student now has equal access to the wider world.

Deborah puts it simply: "It's not just a bit of machinery with four wheels. It's life-changing."

From college taster days to football tournaments, supermarket visits to workplace visits, these outings build confidence, independence, and life skills for disabled young people who might otherwise spend weekends stuck at home.

Student Malakai says it best: "It's all inclusive, fair on everyone."

Read the full story: https://www.variety.org.uk/story/sunshine-coach-creates-equal-opportunities-for-send-students/

01/06/2026

Happy ! 🌟 This week, we are celebrating all the incredible individuals and teams who generously give their time and skills to support Variety. We simply couldn't do it without you!

Last month, a group from Leonard Curtis spent their Giving Back Day at The Village School, Kingsbury, transforming the playground and garden through weeding, raking, clearing, and sweeping. It's a space that children and the wider school community will enjoy for years to come. Thank you for getting stuck in!

Here is what one of the team members had to say about the experience: "I was one of the volunteers from our London team at The Village School yesterday, and I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for welcoming us. It was incredibly rewarding to support your staff and the children through our gardening efforts in the community garden. We hope to return and lend a hand again soon." - Rebecca, Leonard Curtis

We also want to send a special thank you to our valued volunteer assessors, who play an absolutely vital part behind the scenes.

Thanks to their generosity and dedication, we are able to successfully deliver our programmes and reach even more children across the UK. We are extremely grateful for the vital support they provide to Variety.

To everyone who lends a hand - whether you are digging in a garden, assessing a grant application, or supporting us in countless other ways - THANK YOU! ❤️