Our Story

Fledglings is part of the national charity, Contact.

We are a non-profit shop that helps children and adults with additional needs by supplying products and equipment that help with everyday challenges. We provide an easy and trusted environment to find the right solutions and allow people to connect and share their experiences. Fledglings was born in 1998 out of founder Ruth Lingard’s passion and drive to help parents and carers of children with special needs find simple solutions to everyday challenges they face. As a special needs teacher and social worker, Ruth had a wealth of experience helping families and children, and Fledglings gave her an opportunity to reach more people in need.

In February 2019, Fledglings joined Contact, the charity for families with disabled children. Like Fledglings, Contact was founded by families of disabled children, who recognised that even if their child's conditions were different, they shared a common experience - of being a family with a disabled child. They understood how important it is to support each other. Timetables to help give structure and consistency. The visuals we create can be used in most situations, are adaptable and portable.