FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Caring for local children and young people with disabilities...supporting the family.

Thank you for visiting our website and being interested in the work of Menphys. I have been involved with the charity since it started in 1970 when I was persuaded to be a voluntary driver for the Saturday Morning Club at Douglas Bader House. It is extremely satisfying to see some of the same children now attending the Club at Huncote as adults.

From that time I have continued to have an interest in the development of Menphys and was one of the founding trustees when the charity formed as a Company Limited by Guarantee and have been a trustee since that time. I am the current Chairman and have been the Honorary Solicitor to the charity since its foundation.

Little did I think that when the club was first formed that the charity would develop in the way that it has. As Chairman it is my responsibility to lead the charity to provide the best possible service for children and young people with special needs and their families. I do this with support of a dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled board of trustees and our trained and professional staff.

The visit of Diana, Princess of Wales, in April 1991 to the Wigston centre was a recognition of all that had been achieved up until that time, and since then the charity has continued to work closely and productively with statutory bodies in the widest sense, and we have an excellent relationship with these bodies and their staff.

The trustees always need to reflect and look to the future to ensure that we provide what is needed for children and their families. I am sure that whatever has been achieved in the past will continue to be built on, and Menphys will have a place in the City and County of Leicester in respect of all the special children and their families who need help and support.

Peter Smith.