Celebrating 20 Years

 

This year we reach an important milestone for Strongbones marking twenty years since we started out on the way forward trying to provide some help for children; young people their families and carers towards becoming more inclusive and preventing social isolation.

Since those early beginnings we have been on a constant learning curve discovering and creating practical ways we can be of help to our young people.

We have been both privileged to help and humbled by the strength and resilience of our young people and their families.

We have been assisted along the way by our wider family of supporters, friends, volunteers and ambassadors, giving us the invaluable insight into practical help that can be provided.

Our support network compliments our online support group on Facebook and Messenger apps providing access for families and carers to exchange information, gain from experiences and widen the knowledge base.

For many new parents, our support network provides an essential lifeline in facing the difficulties arising from their children’s conditions. In turn this has continued to be support with our family meetings throughout the years reducing social isolation.

The financial help from our supporters has been at the core of what we have achieved, and I give my heartfelt thanks to all of these for all their help over all the years.

I take pride in the achievements of everyone at Stongbones’ including all our superheroes.

This last year has been a difficult year for everyone however with developments of vaccines this may be a year when going forward we can resume many of the activities that have been put on hold because of the Pandemic.

The trustees and I would like to thank everyone at and those supporting Strongbones, and we look forward to further breaking down barriers to create a more inclusive society together.

Norman McNamara, Trustee

I have been involved with Strongbones for the majority of my life, it has helped me in so many different ways. In the early days, Strongbones provided my family with much needed support; they helped my parents with life changing equipment that enabled me to live a ‘normal’ life. The team at Strongbones have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and never let barriers prevent me from my passions, with their help I have created my own website; it is here where I share my life from a wheelchair users’ perspective, talk about accessibility and the many, many places I have travelled to.

I have really enjoyed my role as Youth Ambassador of Strongbones, planning and attending events, sourcing new equipment and researching packs and bundles for our VIPs. I am looking forwards to my future at Strongbones, taking on the new role of Project Development Officer.

Due to COVID19, 2020 was a very troubling and worrying year; all of our events had to be cancelled. I am really looking forwards to next year when I can hopefully get everything rebooked and I cannot wait to see you all again very soon!

Myles Sketchley, Projects Development Officer