Children's charity submits plans to increase capacity

By Tim Aldred

25 Jan 2024

Unique Kidz Expansion Plans

A charity launched by two mums to provide care for their disabled children has grown so popular that it has now submitted plans to further expand its facilities.

Unique Kidz and Co was launched in 2009 with its first after school club, where 65 young people attended – now the charity has 187 disabled young people on their system and an ever-growing waiting list.

Now it has submitted a planning application for a two-stage project that will transform its current outside space and building.

Following months of design, pre-planning, community consultations, and gathering support from the local community, organisations, and MPs, the charity hopes to have a decision on the proposed development - designed by Lancashire based HPA Architects and Landscape Architect Laurel Truscott – by Spring 2024.

Based on Woodhill Lane, Morecambe, the first stage of the project is to be the landscaping of its field, adjacent to Acre Moss Lane, with improvements including two specialist lodges, accessible play area, cycle track, sensory gardens, and growing garden.

Works to Unique Kidz’s centre would take place during the second phase of the project and would include an extension and reformation of the internal layout to allow increased capacity and new spaces, such as sensory rooms, therapy suites and an accessible kitchen.

Jane Halpin, co-founder and trustee of Unique Kidz, said: "This project will be lifechanging; not only for the disabled young people and families that currently use our centre, but for those that currently cannot access our services to lack of space and our ever-growing waiting list of people who need our support.”

“We had some incredible feedback from the community, organisations, and MPs during our consultation process, so we’re now hoping for a positive decision on the planning application so that we can move forward with our exciting developments and crucially, Unique Kidz can support more disabled young people and their families.”

Zoe Hooton, HPA Architects director, said: "This is exactly the type of project I became an architect for. Our plans have been informed by a collaboration of extensive research in designing for differing disabilities, site visits to view best practice, but most importantly, by a series of workshops to learn from carers, teachers, parents, trustees, ecologists, and many of the young people at Unique Kidz, to understand what they would like and need for the future. We are incredibly proud to be supporting such an incredible charity.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

2

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

3

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

4

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

5

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025
Remote and Rural 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
05 Jun 2025 - 05 Jun 2025

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith, CA11 8QT

09:30 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin