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Wales Needs WINGS
Widening Inclusion and Neurodiversity-affirming Guidance and Support
WINGS seeks to help families in Swansea's most deprived communities and secure the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) support children are legally entitled to. We will work directly with schools and services so families don't have to navigate these systems alone.
The Problem
The ALN Act (Wales) 2018 gives every child a right to appropriate support — but in Swansea's most deprived wards (Waun Wen, Plasmarl and Craigfelen, per WIMD 2025) that right often goes unmet. Waiting lists are long, processes are confusing, and families already managing developmental trauma and additional needs often lack the time or confidence to navigate this alone. Problems that could be resolved early are left to escalate into crisis.
What WINGS Will Do
Work With Professionals
A team of volunteers and associates - including a retired special school headteacher and a Learning Disability nurse with a Masters in Autism - will work directly with schools and services on behalf of the families we are helping.
Drop-In Sessions
We will run 30 drop-in sessions. Each session will last for 3 hours and will be delivered by 2 Project workers.
Provide Resources
We will develop and maintain online resources, including guidance and sample letters, so that we can empower families to advocate for themselves.
Give Our Support
We aim to support approximately 100 families in Swansea's most deprived wards.
Why It Will Work
WINGS follows the same early-intervention approach that took Adenydd's Craigfelen project (Ffrindiau Annwyl) from crisis support to a sustainable, community-led outcome. Children get the right support sooner because families have trusted, informed advocacy rather than facing an overstretched system alone. Families feel less isolated through a process that's often complex and stressful, and schools and services gain a knowledgeable partner, not an adversary.
What's Happening When
The WINGS Timeline
NOW - 28th August 2026: Pledge Collection
Gathering £1500 in pledges from local businesses and individuals
August - December 2026: Awareness Building
Sharing stories, building excitement and preparing families who may take part.
December 2026: Live Donation Week
Public donations made during this week will be matched, pound-for-pound, up to £3,000.
Could you provide funding for this project? Pledge with Big Give, match donations, and double your impact!
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