Founded in 2011 by a group of parents whose children have complex needs and disabilities, PACE is a grassroots child welfare and play charity based in the Borough of Camden offering a wide range of services that improve the health and happiness of children and their families from our three centres.
We work with children aged 2-18, with differing needs and abilities, from all backgrounds, however most of our children are facing poverty, social deprivation, are from families in acute stress or ill health, have additional needs or complex disabilities, struggle with maintaining mental health, live in inadequate housing, are young carers, considered refugees, considered looked after children from protection orders, or have been excluded from school due to social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
PACE is user-led. For over a decade, our children, young people and families have taken a very active part in the design, development and delivery of our services, including projects specific to children with complex disabilities, including many children considered non-verbal or with critical needs. We enjoy strong links within the local community and employ a highly experienced staff team who have lived experience of the wide array of disadvantages and complex additional needs many of our children face. Our three centres (Fairfield Play Centre, Camden Square Play Centre, and Fortune Green Play Centre) are our permanent PACE locations with long existing leases from Camden Council, as we are committed to maximising the use of playcentre buildings by the local communities. All our sites are completely accessible and offer dignified provision to children with all manner of complex personal care and mobility needs.