THE Sunflower Trust children’s charity has bursary funding available for its health and well-being programme in Alton and is appealing to families of children with challenges to get in touch.

Hundreds of children have benefitted from the innovative approach of the Sunflower programme, which looks at a child’s entire body in order to help them be the best that they can be and allow them to get the best out of life.

Sunflower chief executive Nichola Atkinson said: “We have had many children go through the Sunflower programme who are diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, Asperger’s and the like. Other children come to see us because of low self-esteem, bad behaviour, poor concentration, anxiety or when a parent feels their child needs help but they can’t quite put their finger on it.

“The programme can be used alongside any medical, educational or mental health support already available.”

Bursaries are offered to parents who might otherwise be unable, or find it difficult, to cover the cost of their child going through the Sunflower programme. Assessment is based on a number of criteria, including financial considerations, the child’s challenges, any assessments and a parent’s ability to support their child with the programme at home.

Each programme is designed and adapted to suit the individual child. It looks at their skeleton, muscles, brain, biochemical levels, emotional needs and nervous system.

The results of establishing better brain and body functioning is a reduction or elimination of negative symptoms, thereby improving the ability to learn - academically, socially and emotionally – and enjoy life to the full.

The results are best described by parents themselves.

“To have caught up with his age group over a period of only a year is an amazing achievement,” said one parent.

“He was 18 months behind his age group and in nine months has caught up. In other words, in the same time interval he has achieved a great deal more than his peers.”

“Wow – it’s like having a health MOT for your child!”

Another said: “I don’t believe in miracles – they just don’t happen, do they? I have witnessed something which, put in context, is as near to a miracle as I’ll ever get – and I am a mechanical engineer!”

A third added: “Sunflower has helped him to believe in himself and has given him the confidence to think that anything is possible – and thanks to Sunflower, it is!”

If you think your child would benefit from the Sunflower programme, call 01483 531498, e-mail [email protected], or visit sunflowertrust.com.