SEND centre's joy at support from Hollywood star

The founders of a specialist centre for neurodivergent children have spoken of their joy after a Hollywood star sent them a gift to mark the venue's opening.

Lindsay Foskett and Jade McCloskey said they "screamed" when a large bouquet of flowers sent by actor Colin Farrell arrived at the opening of NEST Coventry on Friday.

They contacted him last year after learning about his disability and neurodiversity campaign work. Farrell's son, James, has the neurogenetic condition Angelman Syndrome.

Farrell sent a handwritten note reading: 'To Lindsay and Jade and all the good folks at Nest. Here's to an amazing start and to many years of joy and life affirming care. Sending all my love, Colin Farrell'.

"We were both so excited when they arrived," Foskett said. "We couldn't believe it."

Foskett and McCloskey are both mothers with neurodivergent children and launched the centre in Coventry to provide a place for young people with autism, ADHD and other conditions.

They said they wanted to provide a space where there is no judgement and offer alternate education provision for children who do not meet the criteria for a special school but find it difficult to cope in mainstream schools.

The centre was founded as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and made possible by a grant of almost £20,000 from the National Lottery Fund, as well as £5,000 from the Tile Hill and Westwood charity.

Mother-of-two, Stephanie Merrett, said the centre is "out of this world". Her daughter Ella, 11, is undergoing an assessment for ADHD and Joey, who is five, is on the same pathway to a diagnosis.

"It's actually nice to go to a place where you don't feel judged for your child's behaviour," she said.

"It's just like a non-judgemental place where everyone's in the same boat and everyone just kind of resonates with each other and you just get it."

The centre is open to school-age children and their parents during the day, with young adults welcome in the evenings.

Merrett said NEST Coventry can cater for both her children.

"With Joey, it's hit and miss with, depending on the mood of the day. I genuinely don't know until I get there as to how either will react.

"Ella's a football fan, so she loves to be in the football ground. However, Joey absolutely hates it. But in a soft play where there's equipment and things like this to play with, he thrives."

Merrett said that as her children grow older, it is a relief to know that they will be able to continue to use the centre.

"It's out of this world. Ella's been in alternative provisions, so it's nice to know that that's available as she gets older.

"It's just so important to have something like this and actually be welcomed as well into something like this. It's just incredible."

Colleen Davis, who has a son being assessed for ADHD and autism and a daughter with Turner syndrome, said the they would "absolutely love" the new centre.

Turner syndrome is a genetic condition that affects females and can cause a range of health and developmental difficulties.

"It's very important and we haven't really got anything like this in Coventry," Davis said.

"I'm so proud that they've done this and I think once the parents come in here they will absolutely love it".

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