News - SNAPS Yorkshire CIO

SNAPS is Recruiting an Administrator

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:46:19 +0000

Sadly, Laura Beckett is leaving the team at SNAPS as she has a wonderful new role which we wish her every success with.

This means that SNAPS is recruiting an Administrator. The position is home based, termtime only and 8 hours a week at flexible times so that the right candidate can work the role around their lives. This role would suit a parent/carer allowing the person to fit work around school hours/days.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and committed individual to ensure the charity runs efficiently and in return, SNAPS offers a flexible, supportive and fun working environment in a charity that is changing the lives of families who have children with additional needs.

SNAPS prides itself of working in partnership with our staff to ensure that we support our team to have a good work/life balance and although we empower our team to manage their own workload, we strive to ensure that they have the support they need to feel happy and valued in their role.

We are looking for someone who loves to get things done! We need an individual who can support the SNAPS staff team remotely with a variety of administrative tasks to ensure they can carry out their roles more effectively. They must be a self-motivated individual who thrives on the opportunity to manage their own workload without micromanagement.

The successful candidate will manage initial enquiries to SNAPS before signposting them on to the correct team member as necessary. They will be responsible for managing SNAPS’ service user database, spreadsheets and word documents to ensure all the charity’s information is current and correct. They will manage all administration for the small staff team including managing the recruitment and DBS process. (Full training on all systems will be provided).

This role will involve working with the SNAPS’ families and therefore the person will need to be sensitive to their needs and able to handle confidential information.

No previous charity experience is necessary, SNAPS is looking for a strongly organised and efficient person who can work well remotely with a wide range of individuals.

This is a varied role that will allow SNAPS to help more families who are in need of support. For more information please see the Job Description.

To Apply

Applicants must send a completed SNAPS application form and equality and diversity monitoring form to Lucy Owen at lucy@snapsyorkshire.org by close of play Sunday 4^th October. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 14^th October 2026.

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Florence shortlisted for BBC Radio Leeds Young Hero Award

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:12:49 +0000

We’re delighted to share that Florence Wyatt has been shortlisted in the Young Hero category of the BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards 2026!

The Young Hero Award celebrates remarkable young people aged 16 and under who make a positive difference to the lives of others through their courage, kindness and determination.

Florence (pictured above on the right with friends at the SNAPS Superhero Challenge) and her family have been part of the SNAPS community since she was just three years old. Florence had suffered from a very rare paediatric stroke and lost movement on the left side of her body. She had to relearn how to walk, talk and carry out many everyday tasks that most children take for granted.

What followed were years of rehabilitation, requiring extraordinary resilience and determination from Florence. Throughout that journey, SNAPS played an important role, with regular swimming and rebound therapy sessions becoming a key part of her rehabilitation and recovery.

Alongside this, SNAPS gave Florence and her family opportunities to connect with other families who understood what they were going through. The family describe SNAPS as “an absolute lifeline”.

Five years after her stroke, Florence wanted to celebrate how far she had come in a meaningful way.

At the SNAPS Superhero Challenge 2025, seven-year-old Florence set herself an ambitious goal: running five laps of a 400m athletics track, one lap for every year since her stroke. While most children take on one or two laps, Florence wanted to push herself further.

She didn’t do it alone. Friends and family joined her on the track as “Team Florence”, running alongside her and helping her complete the full 2km challenge together. Despite health setbacks in the lead-up to the event, Florence tackled the challenge with determination, positivity and a huge smile.

Florence raised an incredible £1,656 through the challenge, helping more children with additional needs access support through SNAPS. Over the years, Florence and her family have raised thousands of pounds for the charity through a variety of fundraising efforts.

What makes Florence’s story so inspiring is that she turned a personal milestone into an opportunity to help others. By sharing her journey and raising funds for children and families facing their own challenges, she has inspired countless people while showing that age is no barrier to making a difference.

As part of the awards process, Florence and her dad, Tim, recently joined BBC Radio Leeds to talk about Florence’s journey, her fundraising and what SNAPS has meant to their family. You can listen to below:

Florence and Tim on BBC Radio Leeds

The BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards take place in Leeds next month, where winners from across the region will be recognised for the positive difference they make in their communities.

We’re incredibly proud of Florence and everything she has achieved, and we’ll be cheering her on when the awards take place.

Good luck, Florence!

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Could you be a Parent Trustee at SNAPS?

Sarah Tulley — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:39:42 +0000

At SNAPS, families are at the heart of everything we do. We are currently looking for two Parent Trustees to join our Board and help make sure the voices, experiences and priorities of our families continue to guide the future of the charity.

If you are a parent or carer of a child who attends SNAPS, your lived experience could make a real difference. Parent Trustees bring an invaluable perspective to board discussions, helping us make decisions that reflect the joys, challenges and realities of family life with a child with additional needs.

You do not need any previous trustee experience to apply. We will provide a full induction, training and ongoing support so you can feel confident in the role and understand how your contribution can help SNAPS grow and thrive.

The Board is a friendly and supportive group, and we actively welcome diverse opinions, experiences and perspectives. You do not need to have all the answers; we simply value people who are willing to listen, contribute and help us make thoughtful decisions for SNAPS families.

We are keen to hear from parents and carers with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills. As SNAPS continues to develop, we would particularly welcome interest from someone who can bring business experience, professional expertise or valuable networks to support the charity’s long-term sustainability, although this is not essential.

Board meetings take place every two months on the second Wednesday of the month, from 7pm to 9pm, at Irwin Mitchell, Leeds. Online attendance is also available.

The most important qualification is not board experience. It is understanding what SNAPS means to families and wanting to help protect and develop that support for the future.

Find out more

If you would like an informal chat about becoming a Parent Trustee, or would like to apply, please contact Chris Eatwell, Chair of the Board of Trustees, at chriseatwell@aol.com.

Your voice matters. Your experience is crucial. Help shape the future of SNAPS.

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The SNAPS Superhero Challenge returns!

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:19:04 +0000

It’s time to don your capes and join us for the return of our much-loved SNAPS Superhero Challenge!

Taking place on Sunday, 31st May 2026, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, our Superhero Challenge is an inclusive, fun run-style event open to children of all ages and abilities.

Every child takes on their own challenge around the 400m athletics track in a way that works for them, whether that’s walking, running or wheeling. And of course, every superhero is cheered across the finish line and rewarded with a medal and goodie bag.

It’s not just about the challenge itself. Families can enjoy a full morning of activities, including superhero meet and greets, bouncy castles, inclusive sports, craft and sensory activities, games, face painting and even visits from the emergency services.

For many of our families, the Superhero Challenge is a highlight of the year. Mel and her four-year-old son Jakob will be joining us again this time.

Jakob, who is autistic and has multiple complex medical needs, has been part of SNAPS for around two years. For Mel, finding SNAPS made a huge difference.

“Before SNAPS, Saturdays were always hard,” she says. “There was nowhere we could go that could meet Jakob’s needs. Now he has a safe, supportive place where he can just be himself.”

Through SNAPS, Jakob has taken part in hydrotherapy, rebound therapy and Stay and Play sessions, helping not just him, but the whole family.

“I can actually sit down, relax and drink a cup of tea without worrying if he’s safe or being judged,” Mel shares. “Making friends with other parents who understand what daily life is like makes a huge difference.”

Last year’s Superhero Challenge was a particularly special moment.

“Seeing him running around the track and being cheered on was really special,” she says. “It’s such a fun, welcoming day where children are celebrated for who they are.”

Mel is also fundraising this year so more families can access the same support.

“Having a community and somewhere safe to go matters,” she says. “Events like this help make sure that support is there for families who need it.”

At SNAPS, we support children with additional needs and their families through therapies, leisure activities and a supportive community. SNAPS doesn’t receive statutory funding to deliver its services, so events like the Superhero Challenge play a vital role in helping us keep our services running.

We’re incredibly grateful to our event sponsors Irwin Mitchell, Manning Stainton, Enfinium and Taylor Wimpey Yorkshire for their support.

SNAPS’ Head of Fundraising, Lisa Morton, says: “The Superhero Challenge is designed so every child can take part in a way that feels right for them. It’s a positive, inclusive day that brings families together while helping to raise vital funds, so we can continue to be there for children like Jakob and their families.”

You can take part for free by committing to a minimum fundraising target of £55, which could fund a SNAPS physiotherapy session. Or if you prefer not to fundraise, entry is £12 per child. Adults attend for free.

Ready to join us? Register here.

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Introducing Anne’s Shining Light Award

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:04:27 +0000

We are proud to introduce Anne’s Shining Light – a new termly award created in memory of Anne Gait, who was a cherished member of the SNAPS family.

As one of SNAPS’ original founders, and later a Trustee and President, Anne played a key role in shaping the charity and supporting children with additional needs across Leeds.

Anne devoted her life to helping families, and her warmth, kindness and dedication continue to shine through everything we do. This special award will be given each term at both of our sites to two children at each of our sites, who have achieved something meaningful to them. This could be reaching a personal milestone, showing kindness to others, trying something new, or simply shining brightly in their own way.

Anne’s Shining Light celebrates the spirit she brought to SNAPS – reminding us to notice, value and champion every child’s unique journey.

We can’t wait to celebrate our first winners soon – watch this space!

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George takes on the London Marathon for SNAPS

Sarah Tulley — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:23:51 +0000

This April, one of our brilliant SNAPS dads, George Chilcott, will be taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for SNAPS.

George is running in honour of his daughter Olive, who is eight years old and has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Olive can’t sit, walk or talk, and is fed through a gastrostomy tube. She lives at home with George, her mum, and her two younger sisters, Etta (6) and Rose (2).

We’ve supported Olive and her family since she was a baby, and over the years we’ve seen just how much she lights up at SNAPS. Despite the daily challenges she faces, Olive is full of personality and is often described by her family as cheeky. She especially loves being in the water.

For the last seven years, Olive has attended hydrotherapy sessions with us, and the impact has been incredible. Hydrotherapy is Olive’s favourite part of the week. Seeing her splash, kick and enjoy that sense of freedom brings so much joy, not just to Olive, but to her whole family.

At SNAPS, we support children with additional needs and their families through a wide range of therapies and inclusive activities. Around 100 families come through our doors every week, and many describe SNAPS as a lifeline.

SNAPS doesn’t receive statutory funding to deliver its services, so we rely on the generosity of supporters to keep our doors open and continue supporting families across Leeds.

George has a clear goal in mind: he’s aiming to raise £6,236, which is enough to fund a full week of SNAPS services. So far, he’s already raised over £3,000, with amazing support from family, friends and the local community.

George has shared that while the London Marathon will be tough, it feels like a small challenge compared to what families like his face every day. Running is his way of giving something back to the charity that has been there for Olive and for their family over many years.

We are incredibly thankful to George for his commitment, determination and support. We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

We’ve been really touched by the response to George’s story, which has also been shared by Leeds Live and the Yorkshire Evening Post.

How you can support George

If you’d like to support George’s London Marathon run and help us continue supporting children like Olive and their families, you can donate at George’s Enthuse page.

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SNAPS receives grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation

Sarah Tulley — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:23:35 +0000

We are very pleased to share that we have received a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation.

This significant grant over the next 2 years will help us to continue our vital work supporting children with additional needs and their families across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

At SNAPS, we do not receive any statutory funding to deliver our services. Everything we offer is made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters, trusts and foundations who believe in our work and the difference it makes to families.

Grants like this play an important role in helping us provide consistent, high‑quality support and plan confidently for the future. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous support and for helping us continue to be there for the families who rely on SNAPS.

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SNAPS Launches a Lottery!

Sarah Tulley — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:16:23 +0000

We are really excited to share that we have launched the SNAPS Lottery!

This is a simple new way to support our work with children with additional needs and their families.

The SNAPS Lottery is an easy, weekly online lottery that costs just £1 per ticket. There is a draw every Saturday, with the chance to win up to £25,000. Best of all, 50p from every £1 ticket comes straight to SNAPS and helps fund our vital services.

It only takes a minute to sign up, and once you have joined, you will be entered into the draw automatically every week. You can choose to pay monthly or buy tickets in advance, making it a flexible and hassle free way to support SNAPS.

Families often tell us how much our services mean to them. One parent shared:

“Coming to SNAPS has had a positive impact for our whole family and we are forever grateful for this charity and the volunteers.”

By playing the SNAPS Lottery, you are helping us continue to offer activities, support and connection for families who need us. Whether you choose one ticket or a few, every entry really does make a difference.

Thank you for supporting SNAPS, and good luck!

Please play responsibly. 18+ UK only. Full terms and conditions are available on the lottery page.

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Important Service Update: Changes at Broomfield SILC

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:55:50 +0000

What’s Happening

SNAPS currently supports children with additional needs and their families across three Leeds locations: Penny Field SILC, Broomfield SILC and Co‑op Academy Brierley.

Unfortunately, Broomfield SILC has informed us that, due to an upcoming development project on their grounds, we will no longer be able to hire their facilities after this term. This decision is outside of SNAPS’ control.

Our sessions at Broomfield will continue as usual from January through March 2026, but we will not be returning to this site for the summer term (April 2026) onwards.

We understand this news may be upsetting, and we’re truly sorry for any distress it may cause.

Next Steps

Sessions at all three SNAPS sites will run as normal until the end of March. After this period, families will be welcome at Penny Field and Co‑op Academy Brierley.

We’re committed to making sure families continue to receive the care and support they rely on, and our priority is to minimise disruption and maintain continuity of services. We’re working hard to explore options for relocating some Broomfield-based services to our other SNAPS sites and will share updates as soon as plans are confirmed.

Our Commitment

Our mission remains unchanged: to continue providing vital care and support to as many families as possible who need us and to provide practical, therapeutic, and inclusive activities that make a tangible difference.

Questions and Support

If you have any questions or need further details, please contact Jo at Jo@snapsyorkshire.org or Lucy at lucy@snapsyorkshire.org. We’re here to help.

Thank you for your continued support during this transition.

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In memory of Anne Gait: thank you

Sarah Tulley — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:26:46 +0000

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Anne, a cherished member of the SNAPS family.

Anne devoted her life to supporting children with additional needs and played a key role in SNAPS as a Founder, Trustee, and President. Her passion and hard work were instrumental in the organisation’s achievements over the years. She was a wonderful, kind, and caring individual who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We feel privileged to have had Anne’s support, and we will carry on her legacy by continuing the important work she began.

In celebration of Anne’s life, supporters have so far raised £3,404 for SNAPS, in her memory. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated. Your generosity will help SNAPS to deliver essential support for children with additional needs and their families across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit the memorial page here. You can also read our full tribute to Anne.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Anne’s life and legacy.

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