Supporting the NHS
Spectrum is a multi-award winning, parent-led children’s charity. We provide events, sessions, and support for families of children with Autism, additional needs, learning difficulties, and disabilities. As an organisation, we are family-focused, advocates of collaboration, passionate about increasing inclusion and reducing isolation whilst supporting Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND).
Spectrum DNA
Our focus is to support children to be themselves, without judgement. To provide opportunities for them to improve their social development and wellbeing, alongside that of their family. Collaboration with our partners is certainly hugely important to us, allowing us to create new options for families to experience in their communities and make a difference. We are based on the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk border, reaching out from our Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket hub, to the respective neighbouring villages. Spectrum’s coverage extends across East Anglia, down to Essex, Herts, London and into the South/South-East and the adjoining counties.
Furthermore, we are also proud to be a leading UK distributor for Max Card. The Max Card helps make days out more financially accessible for the families of children with additional needs.
Spectrum Events & Support
Spectrum’s range of events, days out and sessions for the children and families that we support provide many social communication gains as well as peer support and confidence building. Furthermore, we work with many different themes and areas of interest to provide variation for families. For example, we regularly incorporate the likes of Sport, Technology, The Arts, Entertainment, Heritage and Nature in our work.
This range of variety allows us to harness creativity and utilise imagination in different ways. In addition, it also provides a great platform allowing us to embed technology in our events and projects. This use of imagery and audiovisual helps us to utilise visual learning and improve technical skills, as well as provide a different layer of fun and interaction.
We recognise that families need or prefer to be supported in different ways. We compliment our events and sessions with parent-led support and a members-only online community. This importantly helps us create a well-rounded environment supportive of families mental wellbeing. Our Spectrum Cambridge team are all parents of children with Autism, additional needs and disabilities, or work with SEND every day. We understand the journey, hurdles and frustrations that many families face.
Our membership is free.
SPECTRUM MISSION
To be a pivotal part of our community and become a recognised benchmark of support for families of children with autism and additional needs. To embrace inclusion while providing inspiration.
SPECTRUM VISION
To show that it can be great to be different. To transparently provide creative opportunities, social gains and exceptional support to every child and family that we work with, without judgement.
Make a Difference
Donate to Spectrum
As a charity, run by volunteers, Spectrum relies heavily on donations.
Each donation makes a huge difference to the work we can do.
“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else”
P.T Barnum
#WEARESPECTRUM
