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Brody's Trust

Our Mission.

Brody’s Trust exists to create opportunities for children and young people with additional needs, disabilities and complex medical conditions, while supporting the families who share their journey.

One little boy. One incredible legacy.

Brody was born in 2009, our beautiful baby boy, diagnosed with complex needs and given little chance of survival. Despite the prognosis, we had ten precious years filled with love, laughter, challenges, and unforgettable moments. Through hospital stays, sleepless nights, and countless obstacles, I cared for my happy, cheeky little monkey, learning that life with additional needs is no less meaningful - it's filled with magic and joy.

However, the lack of local resources made it difficult for our family to enjoy experiences together. Traditional baby groups didn’t accommodate Brody’s needs, leaving us feeling isolated. Every milestone he achieved in his own way was a victory, but finding accessible activities and essential sensory equipment was both challenging and expensive. Brody loved his sensory toys - the soothing vibrations of his music mat and the calming bubble tubes brought him peace on the hardest days.

Inspired by our journey and Brody’s boundless joy, we created Brody’s Trust to support families like ours. We aim to provide an accessible, inclusive space where children with additional needs can thrive, and families can create cherished memories without financial strain. Our facility offers a safe, fun environment with specially trained support workers, ensuring every child experiences the laughter and joy they deserve.

Brody’s infectious smile and love for monkeys shaped the heart of our Trust. While he may have spread his wings, his legacy lives on - bringing hope and happiness to families facing similar challenges. We know firsthand the joy and fulfillment, but also the stress and isolation, that comes with caring for a child with complex needs. Sometimes, all you need is a helping hand, a listening ear, and a place where your child belongs.

We hope to be that place - where families find comfort, support, and a community that understands. Brody’s Trust is our way of giving back, ensuring no family feels alone, and every child has the opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest.

Nikki Baggott
Chair and Founder

"Inspired by our journey and Brody’s boundless joy, we created Brody’s Trust to support families like ours, providing an accessible, inclusive space where children with additional needs can thrive."


Families deserve better.

Brody’s experience was unique, but many of the challenges his family faced were not.

Families caring for children with additional needs can face isolation, long journeys to access specialist facilities and a lack of places where the needs of the whole family are understood.

For children with complex medical needs, even travelling to access suitable facilities can be difficult or unsafe.


18,000

children and young people live in the Forest of Dean

3,700

may have special educational needs or disabilities

1 in 5

pupils nationally receive special educational needs support

Read the Impact Report

​​What we're here to do.

Brody massively benefited from a range of light and relaxation therapies, but to find a sensory room with a wide range to satisfy him was exhausting and meant often we went with out. Brody was blind along with many other complex needs due to catching an illness at birth so sensory touching and lights often brought a huge smile to his face. 

Our cheeky monkey made us realise we can make a difference to children in Gloucestershire by opening a charity in his name and providing the community with multiple therapies designed to aid mental wellbeing and bring joy & laughter to other children in the area.

Brody's trust is an accessible experience. During our search with Brody we found that some of these sensory rooms could be very expensive and as you all know, having a child with a disability or complex need can be very financially draining. There will be an opportunity to donate to aid the facility to keep it running but there's no obligation. All children deserve fun and laughter regardless of their situation.

We want to offer other parents/carers an opportunity to capture beautiful memories. With the extensive range of facilities that will be on offer there is something to cater to everybody's needs and ensure no child is left out.

This much-needed facility will offer: 
  • Free activities
  • Safe play areas
  • Coffee mornings
  • A safe, non-judgemental place to relax
  • Group sessions
  • Children's devices
  • Advanced Specialist Technology

Support our Mission

Brody’s Trust is purely run of the kindness of people's hearts. We need your help.

The resources and support within the Forest of Dean for families and carers is severely lacking. Brody’s Trust is here to change that.

By supporting us you can ensure that families not only can build precious memories but can access full support from our team of knowledgeable support workers.

Support us


"I am so privileged to say that Brody is my brother. Growing up with him was one of the best things I could ask for; it wasn’t like growing up with a normal sibling - it was like growing up with a forever best friend, going places together and spending quality time together. It wasn’t easy having a disabled sibling, but I wouldn't ask for it to be changed. Brody made me realize the meaning of life, and he made my life the best life. 


One of our favorite things to do together was spending time on his sensory bed with lights and his favorite music playing. Knowing that children like Brody can experience these things puts a smile on my face because it truly is a beautiful thing to see your brother smile so big and have such a contagious laugh to brighten up any room."


Lexi, Brody's Sister

When one child needs support, the whole family does too.

At Brody’s Trust, we understand that additional needs, disabilities and complex medical conditions affect more than one person. Parents and carers can feel exhausted or isolated, while siblings can sometimes feel overlooked.

That’s why The Hub has been created with the whole family in mind. We want children to have opportunities to play, learn, grow and thrive, while giving parents, carers and siblings somewhere they can feel welcome, understood and included too.

Children & Young People

Safe, accessible and inclusive spaces where children can explore, have fun, develop confidence and enjoy experiences designed around different needs and abilities.

When one child needs support, the whole family does too.

At Brody’s Trust, we understand that additional needs, disabilities and complex medical conditions affect more than one person. Parents and carers can feel exhausted or isolated, while siblings can sometimes feel overlooked.

That’s why The Hub has been created with the whole family in mind. We want children to have opportunities to play, learn, grow and thrive, while giving parents, carers and siblings somewhere they can feel welcome, understood and included too.

Parents & Carers

A welcoming environment to meet other families, build friendships, access practical facilities and spend time somewhere that understands the realities of caring for a child with additional needs.

Siblings

A place where brothers and sisters are included too, with opportunities to join in, have fun, make memories and know that their experiences matter.

​We've come a long way.
​We're not finished yet.

Thanks to an incredible community of supporters, parts of The Hub are already welcoming children and families.

But our vision is bigger.

We're continuing to transform The Hub, creating new specialist rooms, purchasing equipment and developing facilities that will give even more children opportunities to play, learn, grow and thrive.

See What's Next