Alfred Robbins Lodge

Children under five with additional needs and their families in Tower Hamlets will receive vital early years support thanks to a grant from Freemasons to St Hilda’s East.

The £60,000 grant will support St Hilda’s East’s project, Support for Children under five and their Families, over two years. The project will provide inclusive Stay & Play and sensory room sessions, helping to improve communication, sensory development and readiness for nursery, while also enabling parents and carers to access appropriate support.

The grant will make a significant difference to local families by helping to fund key staff delivering the service as well as materials, equipment, venue costs and training.Activities will include inclusive play, language and communication support, parental guidance, and specialist sensory room sessions using light, sound and textures to support children’s emotional regulation and focused learning.

The project is aimed at children under five in Tower Hamlets, especially those who are neurodivergent or who would benefit from specialist early intervention and sensory support. It will also support parents and carers who may be experiencing poverty, poor health, isolation and barriers to accessing help. St Hilda’s East expects the project to support 150 unique children, as well as 150 parents or carers, over the two-year period.

The need for this work is significant. In feedback gathered from families using St Hilda’s East’s Stay & Play provision, 92 per cent said the activities provided a welcoming, inclusive space for their child to play and learn, while 100 per cent said attending a local Stay & Play session helped them feel more connected to the community. In Tower Hamlets, 48 per cent of children grow up in poverty — the highest rate in England.

The service helps fill a critical gap for families who are often waiting for assessments or specialist support. Alongside early years activities, families will also be able to access St Hilda’s East’s wider community offer, including a bilingual advice service, grocery packages, a wealth of activities supporting physical movement and social cohesion – all ensuring that children and families receive joined-up help in a trusted local setting.

The grant from Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends from across England and Wales.

Lucy Bingham, Director at St Hilda’s East said:
“We’re extremely grateful to London Freemasons for this generous grant. This funding will help us provide inclusive early years sessions for children under five, including those with additional needs, at a crucial stage in their development. It will also enable us to support parents and carers with practical advice, encouragement and access to wider services, helping the whole family to thrive.”

Will Clayton from London Freemasons said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support St Hilda’s East and this important project for local children and families. Early intervention can make a huge difference to a child’s future, especially for those with additional needs, and this work will provide both specialist support and a welcoming community for families who need it most.”