Kicking off the first of our amazing success stories this month, we're sharing the successful funding journey of Rochdale-based voluntary organisation Masking in the Middle.
Masking in the Middle are a Family Support Group for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Greater Manchester, raising awareness of what 'masking' is through weekly sessions where families and children attend together.
Their journey has been one of immense success in a very short space of time, after receiving Seed Funding just last year!
Following their initial Seed Fund grant they have since gone on to secure a Micro Grant from our Rochdale Communities Fund, and a grant from Rochdale Creates. Discover the details of their journey below...
Masking in the Middle (MiM) were initially awarded funding from the Rochdale Communities Seed Fund with the support of Action Together's Community Development Worker Julie. This grant enabled them to provide series of unique taster sessions for SEN children, particularly those children who fall into the category of 'masking'. This is the term used for individuals who are not formally on the SEND register as they learn to mask behaviour to fit in with their social peers.
After the success of their initial taster sessions, MiM accessed funding from the Rochdale Communities Fund Micro Grants which supported them to continue these sessions on a weekly basis. The sessions were held over a 15-week period, at Thrum Hall Methodist Church. They offered a quiet area for art, crafts and jewellery making, baking activities and sports, all while continuing to provide refreshments for the parents and children.
MiM told us that the families who attended built strong relationships and connections with one another. The children felt free to be themselves, and worked hard on their friendship building, communication skills, leadership skills, life skills and confidence and wellbeing.
Case Study | Making a Difference
We were inspired to hear about the difference the sessions had made to one of the families who had taken part. MiM shared: "One of our children at Masking in the Middle (MiM) has been attending the group since July and has grown tremendously in confidence. Yesterday, they were chosen to carry their Beavers flag during the Remembrance Sunday Parade, and they did so with great confidence and pride. Their parents have shared that without the support of MiM over the past four months, this achievement would not have been possible."
Not content with the success of their first grants, MiM went on to secure a grant from the Rochdale Creates Fund where they partnered with Little Bookworms who joined them to deliver therapeutic and creative 'Unmasking Confidence Through Drama' sessions. These drama focused session aimed to build confidence by encouraging self-expression and emotional processing through role play. You can read a fantastic summary of the event HERE.
If you want to find out more about the amazing work Masking in the Middle are doing to support families, see for yourself over on their Facebook page!
