The Little Rays of Sunshine Club is a Bude (North Cornwall based) mutual support group for families who have a child with special needs. The main idea behind the group is to build an extended family to help, advise and support one other and have a bit of fun doing it.

We do know that the first time we’re told that our baby is less than perfect is devastating. We do know that in whatever way your child has been burdened, medical and social support services tend to look for every associated failing. We also know that they are not always right. We know that we love our children and will do the best we can for them.

The reason for starting this kind of group in Bude is because there’s nothing of this kind in the area. We also have to admit that, it’s because we live here. We being “T’Committee” : - Lynn Green - Chairman, Karen Oliffe - Secretary and Maria Sturt - Treasurer.

We’ve started off with a good deal of help from the Downs Syndrome Association, in particular the Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support Group, based in Newquay. We are affiliated with the DSA which brings us under their umbrella in regard advice, support and charitable status.

In addition to support and advice from the DSA; the group can also rely on professional support workers from the Portage Group, speech Therapy, Parent to Parent and St. Petroc’s School Nursery - Seahorses. All very good at their work, and if they don’t know the answer, they probably know someone who does.

The general idea is a weekly meeting for approximately two hours, when our families can get together, entertain the kids, exchange our knowledge also help and advise each other if needed.

At each meeting all Mums, Dads, Grandmas, Grandads, Brothers, Sisters even Aunties and Uncles if they wish to come, get a cupper and a biscuit, squash and jammy dodgers for the kids. There should be a good hour or so of structured entertainment, intended to be fairly instructive ie:- singing, sign language and stories. Now it’s not just for the kids, the adults have to join in as well, it’s law.

Then the kids go and play with the toys while the mum’s and dad’s get together for a natter, exchange ideas and most importantly, if some one needs a little help with an issue, we’ll get our heads together and see what can be done..

We invite all those who wish to attend to do so, where-ever you live, there’s room for children with any special needs not just Downs Syndrome. There is a tentative age limit of ten years old, but that’s only because they’ll probably think it’s all a bit babyish by that age but it’s not a hard boundary. If you think you and your child would benefit, then please come along.

We now meet on Fridays, 3-5pm at Bude Children’s Centre, that’s between and behind Bude infants and Bude junior schools.

If you have any enquiry, you can contact us by email through this website.