Kirstie Rees is a chartered psychologist who is supporting the team on a regular consultancy basis. Kirstie is trained as a child and educational psychologist and has significant experience of supporting children and young people with disabilities, and their families. Kirstie has carried out research and has written papers and a book in this area and is passionate about supporting children and adults to develop coping strategies that enhance their mental health and wellbeing. Kirstie has worked in three different local authorities in Scotland and also works as a tutor on the MSc in Educational Psychology at the University of Dundee. Kirstie is chair of the Scottish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH).
Cerebral Palsy Scotland responds to Disability Action Plan consultation
Cerebral Palsy Scotland has responded to the UK Government’s consultation on the Disability Action Plan 2023-24.
The proposed Disability Action Plan 2023-24 will set out the immediate action the UK Government is taking to improve disabled people’s lives.
Our response speaks to a range of issues raised in the consultation, including:
- The lack of specialist statutory services available to adults with cerebral palsy
- Supporting the proposal to create guidance for playground accessibility
- Supporting the need for increased disability inclusion in emergency planning and in resilience work. Our response highlighted the lack of inclusion or a joined-up approach to supporting disabled people and people with cerebral palsy during the Covid pandemic.
- Highlighting the need for a cerebral palsy register in the UK, to enable quick and effective identification of people with CP across the country in order to improve services for people with CP and for future emergency planning.
- Supporting the proposed Disability Enabled Badge scheme but to ensure the scheme does not become a ‘tick box’ exercise and has continuous learning and improvement built in.
- Supporting the inclusion of Frame Running in any multi-sport event.
- Welcoming the government’s plan to raise the profile of assistive technology.
- Ensuring the proposed SEND Improvement Plan references and includes children with physical disabilities.
- Improving transitions to adulthood for people with cerebral palsy, and highlighting the lack of services for people with cerebral palsy to transition into.
Read our full consultation response and find out more about our campaigning work.
How Cerebral Palsy Scotland has made a difference
Today we have published our Annual Review, highlighting the impact of Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s work over the past year.
The Annual Review, published to coincide with World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October, provides an overview of the progress made by the charity between March 2022 – April 2023.
This has been the first year we have been able to plan and deliver an unrestricted year of activity since the Covid pandemic, allowing people with cerebral palsy and their families the opportunity to enjoy multi-disciplinary therapy sessions, group activities and in-person events.
Some of the highlights of the past year include:
- Completing 1,125 therapy sessions with children and adults with cerebral palsy
- Reinstating our fortnightly Baby buds play and therapy sessions for children aged 0-2 and their families
- Publishing our new Strategic Plan 2023-2026
- Delivering our ninth Cerebral Palsy Scotland annual conference in October 2022
- Raising awareness through policy work and our Cerebral palsy awareness month social media campaign
- Launching our first fully accessible fundraising challenge
Read the latest news and stories from Cerebral Palsy Scotland
Read our Autumn newsletter and catch up on our latest stories and news.
In this edition, Karen talks about how Cerebral Palsy Scotland has supported her young son Jack to make the most of his abilities, and how we’ve helped to give the whole family some much-needed breathing space.
“I would advise anyone with cerebral palsy to get in touch with Cerebral Palsy Scotland because you understand it to a level that I don’t think you can find elsewhere.” 
We also hear from Alan, who recently came back to Cerebral Palsy Scotland as an adult, having come for therapy many years ago as a young child. He explains how the therapists have really helped reduce pain he was experiencing, and also to complete day-to-day tasks much quicker and easier.
As well, the newsletter lets you know about upcoming events that you can get involved in, including our Annual conference and exhibition taking place on 3 October in Glasgow. There’s also a policy update on what we’ve been doing to advocate for people with cerebral palsy and their families.
Cerebral Palsy Scotland receives £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland
Cerebral Palsy Scotland has received £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland to support its fun play and therapy group for babies and their families.
Baby buds is the charity’s fortnightly group for children aged 0-24 months and their families. The group welcomes any family who is concerned about their child’s motor development, or who have been given a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Run by Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s team of specialist therapists, Baby buds is full of messy play, sensory exploration, songs and stories. Sessions are designed to provide opportunities to help children develop movement to enable play, exploration and communication.
The therapy team are also able to give parents and carers guidance on how to help their child when they are with them every day. The group is also important in allowing parents of young children with cerebral palsy to meet each other, at a time when many can feel isolated.
Commenting on the award, Isla Campbell Lupton, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Cerebral Palsy Scotland, said:
“We are extremely grateful to have received this award from The National Lottery Community Fund, which has been made possible through the generosity of National Lottery players.
“Our Baby buds group is a really important part of what we do to support children with cerebral palsy. The group allows young children to benefit from regular specialist support at an age where targeted input is critical in enhancing their development, as well as providing an opportunity for parents to meet others in a similar situation.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for enabling us to continue running this much-needed service.”
The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said:
“National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country. This project delivered by Cerebral Palsy Scotland is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work which is making a real difference to so many.”
For more information on Baby buds, and to register your interest, visit our Baby buds webpage.