TO celebrate Springboard Opportunity Group's 40th anniversary, Stefan Mackley has been looking at the stories of some of the children who attend the centre, are due to leave or have already left and their experiences of the group.

From small beginnings at The Bridge Centre in 1976, the charity has operated out of Lodge Road since 2010, with its premises including two play areas, a sensory room and a garden.

Chantelle Ince has been taking her grandson, Khairo, to the centre for nine months after moving from their home in Bury, Lancashire, to Wiltshire to help the three-year-old, who suffers from severe learning difficulties caused by brain damage.

“We moved from up north for Khairo’s needs and the health care,” said the 44-year-old, who lives in Royal Wootton Bassett.

“Where we were was not the best for healthcare and he would have had to go to mainstream schools.

“I’d not heard of Springboard before we moved down but when I was told about it I thought that was brilliant but I needed to go and see it.

“I actually cried when I first went because there was a child there with communication issues like Khairo but he was able to communicate and I thought ‘wow’.

“Since Khairo’s been going I’ve noticed a big difference. He’s communicating with his eyes so we know what he wants or he will hit something to say what he wants.

“Before he was so frustrated because no one could understand him.”

Springboard, which achieved an Outstanding Ofsted rating last November, requires at least £50,000 a year to run and in the past, the Gazette & Herald has supported the charity and its fundraising campaigns.

Khairo is now set to go to St Nicholas School in Chippenham from September.

“I’ve seen where he’s going a couple of times,” added Miss Ince.

“I’m just so grateful for the work Springboard have done with Khairo which will help with his transition.

“Had he not gone there I would be terrified he would struggle but I think he will be fine.”

If you have your own Springboard story or pictures, send them into Jane Boulton at manager@springboardchippenham.co.uk.