Breaking Barriers is a registered charity set up by 3 parents of disabled children. It is our aim to raise awareness and challenge the barriers to inclusion in society for disabled children & young people aged 0-25 years old.
We also support adults with autism aged 18+.
We believe that individuality should be celebrated and everyone has a vital role to play.
We are a small but high‑impact community organisation operating in Bolton, distinguished by its strong alignment with inclusive practice, lived experience leadership, and trauma‑informed delivery.
The organisation demonstrates a clear understanding of the complex barriers faced by families of children and young people with SEND, and consistently translates this insight into practical, accessible support. Breaking Barriers NW benefits from strategic direction informed by extensive VCSE experience, strong local knowledge, and lived experience of navigating SEND systems.
The organisation’s approach is grounded in person-first language, dignity, and relational practice. Staff and volunteers demonstrate a consistent commitment to reducing stigma and ensuring families feel welcomed rather than assessed.
Breaking Barriers NW delivers a wide range of support for children, young people and families facing barriers, with a strong focus on SEND-specific mental health and wellbeing. As an NHS‑commissioned iThrive provider, we offer tailored emotional and mental health support for children and young people with SEND who often cannot access mainstream services. Parent carers also receive dedicated wellbeing support, creating a safe space to manage stress, build resilience and feel understood.
Alongside this, Breaking Barriers NW provides practical help and navigation, supporting families to complete complex forms such as DLA, PIP, and EHCP applications and guiding them through education, health, and social care systems. The organisation runs a variety of social activities, clubs and groups designed to be inclusive, sensory aware, and accessible, helping families build connections and reduce isolation.
Its sensory environments include a fully equipped sensory room and a sensory garden, offering calming, regulated spaces for children with additional needs. Breaking Barriers NW also provides gifted short breaks in a fully adapted caravan, giving families access to holidays that are wheelchair-friendly, sensory-considerate and financially accessible. The team supports children through key transitions, such as school moves, ensuring stability and confidence during periods of change.
We also contribute to the development of policy and practice for disabled children, young people, and those with SEND. Using lived experience and frontline insight, the organisation highlights gaps in local provision, identifies systemic barriers, and informs more inclusive approaches across education, health, and social care. Through partnership work and evidence-led advocacy, Breaking Barriers NW ensures that the voices of disabled children and their families shape decision‑making and influence how services are designed and delivered.