Sunshine Coaches are specially adapted mobility minibuses which empower disabled children to access the community. Without these coaches many schools and hospices can't afford to run days out, medical trips, vocational visits and sports outings, to name but a few. We often remember school trips as the standout memory from our childhood but too many children are barred from these experiences by the lack of affordable, accessible transportation. Sunshine Coaches change all that.
Thousands of young children with both physical and mental disability are effectively imprisoned in their school every day in the UK. Opportunities like learning by visiting cultural sites, participating in sport, attending vocational visits like work experience, going to medical appointments and learning how to behave in society are all missed. Getting out of the school environment and exploring the local area seems simple, but for many schools and hospices it's an unachievable dream.
Sunshine Coaches are specially adapted accessible minibuses which allow children to lead ordinary lives. They are simple to deliver and adapt, offer immediate tangible benefits to children and have a major societal impact. By helping children to access all of the benefits of the community they are able to properly integrate into that community. The children aren't the only ones to benefit as there is greater social interaction and understanding of disability by the community as a whole.
The average on the road lifetime of a Sunshine Coach is 15 years. That means (depending on the school and use) that each coach helps thousands of children. We know from our outcome reporting that coaches are used on average 5 times a week. The impact is one less societal barrier to disabled children. They feel empowered and are able to much more effectively engage with society when they grow up. It means they can lead more independent lives and make more of their formative years.
