By Alan Dawson (‘The Townsman’)

Top photo by Jason Parnell Photography

Family support group Spectrum Wasp, a non-profit charity that supports parents and families with children and young people on the autistic spectrum, is celebrating winning National Lottery funding — just when it was facing an uncertain future!

The charity, based at Ransom Hall, Ransom Wood, Rainworth, is to receive more than £300,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund, which will guarantee its future for the next three years and allow the charity to continue to make a difference.

Spectrum Wasp, led by Sue Edwards and Jeni Dubock, is well-known for its dynamism and that is reflected in support for families, activities, and fun events that the group provides for its young people and their families.

Such is the strength and depth of the group, it continued to work with children and young people during the Covid-19 lockdowns. No staff who facilitate its short break respite service were furloughed and to overcome the isolating nature of Covid, the charity brought in telephone call lines, used doorstep and postal drops, worked online with its respite children and much more.

However, this had a major financial impact on resources.

To be able to continue to provide the resources for enriching activities and events, as well as paying rent and administration costs etc, Spectrum Wasp needs adequate funding.

Sue and Jeni spend long hours exploring potential funding partnerships in a very competitive market for small charities. The effects of Covid brought about additional costs for the group, which they could cover for a short time — but nothing was going back into its bank account and potential funding partners were also severely stretched and unable to support the group.

The intense pressure of trying to keep the charity going was taking toll on the formidable ladies’ mental health and wellbeing. The reality of the situation was overwhelming for them — the group would barely last six months without financial intervention.

Jeni said: “Being so emotionally invested in the work we do, there was not a day that went by when we did not think about where we would be without funding… the future of Spectrum Wasp was out of our hands.

“They became desperately dependent on an application to the National Lottery Community Fund, which was their one remaining hope. With the pandemic continuing, the determined duo knew that without Lottery funding they would no longer be able to provide resources for their children and young people — after providing invaluable support for 13 years within the community.

Then in late November they received the most amazing telephone call from the National Lottery Community Fund team — their application had been granted and their hard work had paid off.

The charity has been awarded £331,069 over three years, giving it £110,356 per year to sustain the beloved group.

Sue said: “The journey we have been on at Spectrum Wasp with the National Lottery Community Fund since May has been a roller-coaster of emotions for us.”

Spectrum Wasp can now look to the future with confidence. The funding has given it stability to develop and it is now able to provide three full-time positions, which will give the charity support towards the development of their awesome staff and volunteer team, including training.

For Sue and Jeni, it is important not to lose sight of the fantastic work they all do as a team to support their fabulous children and families in the local community. Because of the funding they will also employ two sessional support staff to support activities, events, and residential programmes throughout the year.

Sue added: “We are just so thrilled. It’s been so stressful and a journey that l need to now recover from.”

Sue and Jeni have been left exhausted by their experiences, but have a high regard for the National Lottery Community Fund and the support they received, particularly the good communication, guidance and understanding that helped them through their most difficult time.

To receive a three-year sustainable funding boost in these unprecedented times is amazing. Spectrum Wasp more than deserve the opportunity to carry on making the difference in the lives of their young people and families in the local community.

For more information on the group go to https://spectrumwasp.org/