Starting as The Peter Rigby Trust in 1963 CPotential has, through the years, continually adapted to meet the changing needs of children and young people with movement disorders, such as cerebral palsy, global developmental delay and acquired brain injury.
Pioneering new therapy methods and technologies, the charity has integrated programs holistically that empower individuals to reach their full potential. Their evolution underscores an unwavering dedication to inclusivity, promoting independence, and enhancing the quality of life for all those they serve. Working with over 250 children, the team delivers 4,500 sessions of therapy and support per year.
Keeping a charity sustainable and evolving requires a huge amount of dedication, there are many variables and uncertainties. We all recognise that over the last 60 years the changes to almost every aspect of how we live, and work have been vast. Charities need to respond and influence these changes, holding in their minds and hearts the evolving needs of their beneficiaries.” Brett Parker, CEO at CPotential.
To celebrate 60 years of service to disabled children, and their families, the charity held a vibrant party at their Centre in Muswell Hill on World Cerebral Palsy Day. The children and families, staff, trustees, charity partners and community friends were joined by special guests The Worshipful Mayor of Haringey, Councillor Lester Buxton, Catherine West MP, Lady Jan Hulme of The Hadley Trust, and Janis, Mitch, and Jane of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Party guests were especially moved by heartwarming speeches from Melissa Mitchell, mother of Katie, born with cerebral palsy, and Raisa Hassan, now CPotential Trustee, who was a service user 25 years ago. Brett Parker, CEO provided a rounded overview of the charity’s integrated and collaborative work, charity vision and mission, and exciting news of a paediatric exoskeleton launch – the first in the UK of its kind. Alison Eddy, Partner of Irwin Mitchell gave a supporting speech about their flourishing partnership and their joint agreement with Slater & Gordon funding the charity’s Family Support Manager, a vital role to assist families with a wide variety of needs surrounding their child’s specialist care.
Special thanks go to highly esteemed local musicians Red Sky July (Shelly Poole, Ally McErlaine and Haley Glennie-Smith) for a wonderful acoustic performance, and also for an engaging array of fun activities for the children and families, we thank Groundswell Arts, Froggle Parties, and KCL/UCL students of Make a Smile dressed as Elsa and Spiderman.
Charities like CPotential can develop because of the goodwill and often unnoticed work of a team of dedicated individuals who donate their time, expertise and resources to helping some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Can you help them in any way? Do you see potential? We do.
Click here to find out some ways you can help the charity.
Further party thanks go to:
- Our lovely neighbours, Sister Cathy and everyone at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for loaning us their chairs
- The My Baker team for making us 2 wonderfully delicious celebratory cakes
- Jean at our local Tesco, for the wonderful voucher donations towards our food and drink
- Our fabulous volunteers – Mauricio, Chloe and Corinne
- Crispy Dog for photography.
