Daisy Chain’s Mission and Approach
In the heart of North East England, Daisy Chain stands as a vibrant charity that transforms the lives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. Since its inception in 2003, the organization has pursued a clear mission: to deliver personalized support that promotes inclusion, enhances wellbeing, and builds acceptance across the region. Moreover, Daisy Chain takes a refreshing approach by viewing autism as a unique difference rather than a limitation. Through this perspective, they help individuals uncover and develop their distinctive “superpowers.” Consequently, by focusing on strengths instead of challenges, Daisy Chain creates lasting positive change that ripples throughout the community.
Comprehensive Services for Autistic and Neurodivergent Individuals
Daisy Chain delivers an extensive array of services that cater to the diverse needs of the autistic and neurodivergent community. Initially, they focus on building confidence and independence through community hubs, social groups, life skills workshops, and therapeutic programs. Furthermore, children and young people participate in engaging events like Family Activity Days and High Needs Sundays. These gatherings not only bring joy but also enhance social skills, boost self-confidence, and foster meaningful friendships. Additionally, adults receive crucial transitional support, including specialized programs for employability, housing, benefits, and independent living—all designed to ensure their success in daily life.
Meanwhile, families and carers find essential support through Daisy Chain’s comprehensive offerings. They can access respite care, counseling, and virtual services that provide both practical guidance and emotional support. Additionally, the charity’s 5.5-acre site in Norton, near Stockton, serves as a therapeutic haven. This unique space features a day center, farm, gardens, and allotments where individuals connect with nature, relax, and develop new skills. Whether someone is exploring the farm or tending to an allotment, these facilities nurture personal growth and create a strong sense of community.
The Role of Lottery Funding in Daisy Chain’s Success
Lottery funding plays a crucial role in powering Daisy Chain’s impactful work. Specifically, the National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s premier community funding organization, serves as a key partner. In 2023, they awarded Daisy Chain over £290,000 to launch the My Life, My Community project. This initiative specifically addresses loneliness and isolation among autistic and neurodivergent adults by establishing community hubs throughout the Tees Valley. Subsequently, these hubs come alive with social groups and practical workshops covering essential topics like travel training, nutritious cooking, and community safety. Most importantly, these sessions are developed with direct input from individuals with lived experience, ensuring they remain relevant and meaningful.
Hayley Matthews, Head of Adult Services at Daisy Chain, emphasizes the vital nature of their funding. “We actively promote community inclusion for autistic adults to combat loneliness, boost mental health, and encourage personal development,” she explains. “Additionally, this work challenges stigma, empowers individuals, and advocates for equal rights.” Her perspective clearly shows how their support transforms both services and society’s views.
Furthermore, the People’s Postcode Lottery remains a steadfast supporter. Their players have generated over £4 million for Daisy Chain, providing essential core funding that drives key operations. As a result, this financial support maintains crucial frontline services, ranging from children’s activities and virtual assistance to programs supporting housing, benefits, and independent living. Neeraj Sharma, Daisy Chain’s CEO, underscores this impact: “This vital core funding enables us to support autistic and neurodiverse individuals of all ages, along with their families. Consequently, we can develop targeted services, eliminate barriers, and create meaningful opportunities for everyone we serve.” These lottery contributions consistently fuel Daisy Chain’s growth and adaptability.
Making a Difference: Impact and Success Stories
Daisy Chain’s influence resonates through compelling statistics and personal narratives. Between April 2023 and March 2024, they supported over 6,600 families—a remarkable achievement. Moreover, their employability program helped 69 neurodivergent individuals find work, while their virtual support service continues to thrive post-pandemic. Additionally, the Housing, Benefit, and Independent Living program shows strong growth, with exciting expansion plans for its second year, all supported by lottery funding. These accomplishments demonstrate how proper funding drives both sustainability and innovation.
Individual stories powerfully illustrate this impact. For instance, one My Life, My Community participant shares: “The community hub has become my sanctuary. Here, I’ve developed friendships, acquired new abilities, and gained self-assurance.” Such testimonials show how Daisy Chain transforms funding into real-world positive changes. From young people finding their voice to adults gaining independence, the charity creates lasting positive changes in communities.
Promoting Neurodiversity and Inclusion
Daisy Chain extends beyond service provision to champion neurodiversity and inclusion. They actively promote a society that embraces differences and enables everyone to succeed. This mission carries particular significance today, as autistic and neurodivergent individuals often face misunderstanding and exclusion. Through highlighting strengths, Daisy Chain reshapes the narrative, stating clearly: “While autistic people face challenges, they bring invaluable perspectives and abilities that enrich our world.” This positive approach fosters acceptance and recognizes each person’s unique value.
Lottery funding significantly amplifies Daisy Chain’s impact. The National Lottery Community Fund directs more than £600 million each year toward vital causes, including health, education, environmental initiatives, and charitable work. Players’ contributions fuel these programs, with 40% of ticket sales supporting community initiatives. Additionally, the People’s Postcode Lottery has generated over £1.5 billion for worthy causes since 2005. During these economically challenging times, such support proves essential. For Daisy Chain, lottery funding enables strategic planning, service growth, and enhanced response to increasing community needs. Many vital programs would face severe limitations without this crucial backing.
The funding structure ensures both efficiency and strategic alignment. The National Lottery Community Fund focuses on key priorities that match Daisy Chain’s goals: community unity, sustainability, youth development, and health improvement. Similarly, the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Postcode Children Trust enhances youth support, perfectly complementing the charity’s mission. This alignment strengthens their combined impact. As Johnathon Pickard, Head of Business Development and Economic Generation at Daisy Chain, explains:
“The funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery enables us to respond quickly to emerging needs in unique and innovative ways. This is a crucial element of our person-centered approach—it means our support can be as individual as the person we are helping.”
This flexibility allows Daisy Chain to stay responsive to evolving community needs.
In conclusion, Daisy Chain exemplifies how lottery funding transforms lives and builds stronger communities. Through support from both the National Lottery Community Fund and People’s Postcode Lottery, the charity continues to expand its reach, develop innovative solutions, and impact thousands of lives. Their work advances individual empowerment, promotes inclusiveness, and enriches society. Moving forward, lottery players’ ongoing generosity remains vital to Daisy Chain’s mission. These players create lasting positive change that extends far beyond the North East throughout the UK.
If you want to know about more great Lottery Funded charities, check Goated Lottery Secrets section: Charities and Contributions
