Peter Pan Centre

The Peter Pan Centre was founded in 1969 as a playgroup for children with disabilities, and is unique across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire. Today it provides facilities and activities for children aged 0-5 with complex special needs, some with profound and multiple physical/learning disabilities. It operates a day nursery 5 days a week throughout the year employing 13 staff and 6 volunteers, and is the only setting in Staffordshire/Cheshire area that provides comprehensive care/education/support to 0-5 years children with a wide range of special needs including Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, visual and hearing impairments, epilepsy, speech and language problems, undiagnosed and rare conditions, as well as a range of developmental delays and life-limiting illnesses. Some require use of a wheelchair, standing or walking frame. All have communication difficulties and many receive no other support outside their home. For many of them their visit to the centre is the only inter-action they have with their peers.

Peter Pan provides

1. a nursery offering up to 80 weekly 2.5 hour Education, Care and Development sessions for 48 weeks of the year
2. a place where the children can confidently be left providing much-needed respite breaks to parents and carers,
3. assistance with applying for finance and equipment, explanations in how best to meet the child's need at home including sleep training and social activities to reduce isolation,
4. a transition to school service helping families secure EHCPs and
5. community-based stay-and-play sessions in 5 hubs (Newcastle, Burslem, Sneyd Green, Biddulph, Fenton).

The BWCF have been pleased to support the Peter Pan Centre since 2004, and in 2024 awarded a further 3-year grant.

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