As part of our 40 Stories for 40 Years campaign, we’re sharing some of the people, families and experiences that have helped shape Umbrella over the last four decades.
This story comes from Farina, whose siblings Halima and Ibrahim have been part of the Umbrella community for many years. What began as a place for support, respite and opportunities to play has grown into something much more meaningful: a place of routine, safety, friendship and belonging.
For Farina and her family, Umbrella has become a constant presence in their lives, helping her siblings access opportunities, build confidence and enjoy experiences outside of school and home.
It is also why, when Farina decided to take on the challenge of walking the Inca Trail in Peru, there was one charity that immediately came to mind.
Farina’s family first became involved with Umbrella when her siblings, Halima and Ibrahim, were referred through the old Sure Start programme.
Halima has now been attending Umbrella for more than 15 years. Initially, she received one-to-one support on her own, before her brother Ibrahim eventually joined her.
What began as respite and a place where Halima could progress, play and enjoy new experiences quickly became something much more important: a place of routine and safety.
Over the years, the siblings have taken part in a huge range of activities through Umbrella, from soft play and indoor climbing to trips to the park, cinema and swimming.
For Farina, seeing her siblings enjoy these opportunities has shown just how important having access to activities outside of school and home can be.
“They thoroughly enjoy attending Umbrella over the years. Umbrella gives them consistency and routine and allows them to socialise outside of school and a home. It is a safe third space for them to visit and flourish.”
That sense of consistency has also made a huge difference to the family as a whole.
Every Sunday, the family looks forward to the same two-hour slot. For Halima and Ibrahim, it is a chance to spend time somewhere they feel comfortable, take part in activities and enjoy themselves. For the rest of the family, it provides a valuable window of respite.
“ We all look forward to the 2 hour slot on a Sunday where we know the children will be happy and engaged with activities while we are able to have a window of respite.”
Over the years, Farina has watched her siblings grow in confidence and independence through their experiences with Umbrella.
For Halima in particular, joining the INDE youth group has been another important step forward.
She has quickly made friends with other young people who attend and loves the variety of activities on offer. Her enthusiasm has become part of the family routine, with Halima marking upcoming activities on the calendar and eagerly counting down to each Wednesday and Saturday.
“She loves the range of activities available and has quickly made friends with other peers that attend.”
The family has also become involved with Umbrella’s family support events and trips during the summer, giving them opportunities to enjoy experiences together.
Through these events, Farina has seen first-hand the relationships Umbrella’s staff build with the families they support.
“Having engaged with the summer events this year, it is clear to see staff at Umbrella know all the families and children they support very well. They anticipate their needs and are on hand to support however they can.”
For Farina, it is not simply the practical support that makes Umbrella special. It is the way families are treated.
“Never have they made providing support feel like a job. They all treat families and service users with the utmost respect and as a result we all feel like a community.”
That sense of community is something Farina feels particularly strongly about.
Having seen the difference Umbrella has made to her own family, she describes the charity as a lifeline for the families and children it supports.
“I firmly believe that they provide a lifeline for their families and service users because they have been a lifeline for my family.”
For Farina, the school holidays can highlight just how important services like Umbrella are.
“SEN children are forgotten about in the school holidays and with kids clubs and extra curricular activities so Umbrella being a place of provision and support has been nothing short of amazing.”
It was this personal connection that eventually led Farina to take on a challenge of her own.
Farina and a friend had always wanted to walk the Inca Trail in Peru. When they signed up for the challenge, they decided it was the perfect opportunity to use their adventure to raise money for a cause that meant something to them.
The challenge would see them walk 44 miles, something Farina quickly discovered was no easy feat.
But when it came to choosing a charity to support, there was never really any question.
“When choosing a charity it felt like a no brainer to choose Umbrella. They’ve done so much for my family it just made sense to give something back.”
Farina and her friend initially set themselves a fundraising target of £750. Even reaching £1,000 felt ambitious.
But by the end of their fundraising, they had raised an incredible £1,500 for Umbrella.
“We initially thought £750 might be too ambitious so this was an amazing amount and I know it’ll go to a worthy cause.”
For Farina, knowing exactly what that money will help support makes reaching the target even more meaningful.
She has seen first-hand the opportunities Umbrella provides and understands the difference that having somewhere safe, welcoming and inclusive to go can make to a family.
s Umbrella celebrates its 40th anniversary, Farina feels proud to have been part of that journey.
Her family has watched Umbrella grow from its original base in Mackworth to its current home at Annie’s, with its gardening space and the many opportunities now available to children, young people and families.
“We feel proud – we’ve watched Umbrella grow from that base in Mackworth to now Annie’s with the gardening space and all the other opportunities they also offer.”
For a family who first came to Umbrella more than 15 years ago, the charity has become much more than a service.
It has become a familiar place, a source of support, a space for friendships and a community that has been there for Halima, Ibrahim and their family year after year.
“It’s a privilege to be able to support Umbrella knowing firsthand how invaluable and inspirational the work they do is.”
We are incredibly grateful to Farina for sharing her family’s story and for choosing to give something back to Umbrella through such an incredible challenge.
Her story is a powerful reminder of why services like ours matter. For families, having somewhere that provides consistency, opportunities, respite and a sense of belonging can make an enormous difference.
For Halima and Ibrahim, Umbrella has been part of their lives for many years. And for Farina, seeing the impact that support has had on her family made the decision to take on 44 miles in Peru and raise money for Umbrella an easy one.
From a Sure Start referral more than 15 years ago to an Inca Trail fundraising challenge today, Farina and her family have become an important part of Umbrella’s story.
And we are incredibly proud to have them as part of ours.
