With the closure of essential therapy providers like the National Bobath Cerebral Palsy Centre, families of children with movement disorders are facing a devastating crisis. Vital specialist services are vanishing due to chronic underfunding, leaving parents scrambling to find the support their children desperately need.
Disability charities are under unprecedented strain. With little to no government funding, soaring operational costs, and surging demand, organisations like CPotential are in a relentless fight for survival. Competition for dwindling financial resources is fiercer than ever, pushing essential services to the brink of collapse.
The situation is further exacerbated by recent government proposals to reform disability assessments and cut benefits by £5bn, as announced by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall. These reforms threaten to deepen the challenges faced by families relying on specialist support services.
CPotential, a leading provider of innovative integrated therapies, is taking action with the Ticking Clocks Appeal – a high-impact campaign underscoring the urgency of early intervention.
The appeal aims to raise critical funds to ensure children with cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, and acquired brain injury can access the therapy they need before it’s too late.
In just five years, CPotential has transformed from a small service supporting 36 children annually to a vital hub helping over 400 children each year. This dramatic growth reflects the scale of need – and yet, it’s still not enough. Demand continues to surge, but funding has not kept pace. Without immediate support, even more children risk missing out on life-changing therapies during their most crucial developmental years.
“More and more charities are being forced to close due to financial challenges,” said CPotential CEO, Brett Parker.
“What’s most alarming is the risk that children with disabilities are being forgotten. Families already face dwindling resources and declining funding – now, with proposed cuts to disability benefits and assessment reforms announced by Liz Kendall, they’re being pushed even further to the margins.
“These changes could have a devastating impact on access to specialist support.
“The Ticking Clocks Appeal isn’t just about raising money – it’s about protecting vital therapy services that children depend on to thrive. We simply cannot let them disappear.”
Leading the campaign as ambassadorial lead is Emily, who first started at CPotential when she was just three years old. Now 21, Emily is a testament to the incredible impact of early intervention.
Many may recognise her from her inspiring participation in BBC Children in Need’s Challenge Squad last year, where she proved that with the right support, children with movement disorders can thrive.
Emily said: “CPotential changed my life. Without the therapy I received as a child, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I do today. I want to make sure other children get the same chance to reach their potential.”
Scientific research has long proven that early intervention is key to improving mobility, confidence, and independence for children with neurological conditions. The brain is at its most adaptable in early childhood, meaning timely access to specialist therapy can change a child’s future. But with charities closing and services disappearing, too many children are missing their critical window of opportunity.
The ‘Ticking Clocks Appeal’ invites businesses, schools and individuals to fundraise, donate, and take part in time-themed challenges to help keep CPotential’s specialist services open for families in need. From endurance races, playground pendulums to workplace challenges, there are endless ways to support the campaign.
CPotential’s Ticking Clocks for Success is the business-focused arm of the Ticking Clocks Appeal, offering companies a way to integrate fundraising with tangible business benefits. By supporting children with movement disorders, businesses can boost employee morale, improve productivity, and enhance brand reputation.
The Ticking Clocks Reward System further drives engagement by recognising the fundraising efforts of employees, clients, students, and the wider community.
