My daughter Eilish should never feel alone.

She is four years old. She is one of around 200 kids in the world with a genetic abnormality in a gene called TUBA1A. It means she struggles to walk; it means she struggles to see like you or I and it means she has a learning disability. But what it doesn’t mean is that she is any less deserving of love or a sense of belonging.

The Yard is a charity in Scotland that supports children with disabilities and their families. It is a place of pure joy. It is where Eilish can truly be who she is. A rare place where she is not defined by her disability.

Demand for the wide range of services The Yard offers is growing. But, the Scottish Government decided not to recognise that with more funding this year. They decided to roll forward the same funding as previous years.

It means The Yard cannot grow to meet demand. It means kids with disabilities and their families are not getting the support they desperately need.

Sign the petition and urge the Scottish Government to review the decision to roll forward the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund grant. 

Since 2016, The Yard has received £90,000 from the Scottish Government – enough to support 550 children. Seven years on, the charity’s reach has grown fourfold delivering family support, respite, school and play services to over 2,300 children in the East of Scotland from three centres.

In 2016 the Scottish Government contributed £163 per family and in 2023 this has reduced in real terms by 76% to £39 per family.  

Our kids won't wait any longer. They need proper funding. Their childhood and chance to make friends are as precious as anyone else’s. Yet it appears not to be a pressing priority. That needs to change.