Impact
Pod started in 2013 with Pod Youth Club. The charity has evolved to become central to the support for individuals, families, and the wider community. The charity has an excellent reputation and has expanded significantly in the last 10 years, but has not lost sight of the importance of collaboration with the people who come to the projects.
A consultation with the Pod community in 2023 led to a new and improved system for measuring the impact and importance of Pod on the people the charity supports. Here are the words they used to express their experience of Pod – after they helped us to design the survey in the first place! The team are revisiting the survey with attendees in the projects bi-annually and will begin to report on the results in the near future.
The Pod creates a safe haven for Children, Young People and Adults, opportunities for fun, friendship and community involvement – a sense of belonging.
The charities success is largely due to our talented team of trained and experienced Project workers who inspire, guide and support the POd community, encouraging them to try new things and take healthy risks.
The team are a source of advice and support for the whole family and other professionals.
When people are taking part in some of the Pod activities, families benefit from valuable respite. Carers can meet other parents and carers who face similar challenges and have the opportunity to build a network of support and understanding that helps ease the difficulties they often face.
The people who take part in activities and their parent carers are equally passionate about The Pod and the difference it makes to their lives.
“I have been regularly attending JAMM since my daughter was awaiting diagnosis and really value the kind conversation and solidarity offered by Sue, Becky and the other parents. This has meant a huge amount to me. I have found it a welcoming and non-judgmental space, and have really appreciated the open-minded and easy-going environment where everyone and their experiences are valid, and no philosophy or attitude to my child’s needs is expected or assumed. I believe this is not always the case, and feel lucky to have been able to access this support at a point of feeling quite overwhelmed and separated from our normal support network after finding ourselves on a different path to most of the families we know. It has also given me the opportunity to learn about the other amazing work The Pod does in my community and feel more confident about what the future looks like for my daughter and my family because I know it is there.”
“A unique few hours to relax knowing your children are having fun with the care of people who understand their needs / The Pod is unique and deserves support.
“my child’s life has changed massively since joining The Pod. They re able to give her and other children a safe place to make real friends, something that isnt always so easy for children like ours.”