Fledglings, a UK not-for-profit shop supporting families of children with disabilities and additional needs, has become an independent entity after it no longer aligned with the long-term strategy of the charity Contact a Family.

To preserve the legacy of founder Ruth Lingard MBE, who established Fledglings in 1998, Lisa Spann joined the organisation in 2022 and became managing director in July 2025. Since then, the platform has continued to help parents access hard-to-find products for their children.

Fledglings’ product range offers more than 12,000 specialist items designed to meet the everyday challenges faced by children with physical disabilities, developmental delays, and sensory processing differences. From adaptive clothing and daily living aids to sensory toys and communication tools, the range is vast and carefully curated.

Managing Director of Fledglings, Lisa Spann

Fledglings Managing Director, Lisa Spann, said: “I took on Fledglings to honour Ruth’s original mission and to make sure it continues to meet the needs of families not just now, but well into the future. When its future hung in the balance, I knew this was about more than just a business. Families would be losing access to tools they rely on every day. That made the decision easy.

“We’re not just a shop. We’re something families trust, a place where they know they’ll be understood, and where they can find solutions that genuinely help. There’s nothing else quite like it, with such a wide and focused range of products for children with additional needs.

“It’s a lot to take on, but it felt like the right moment to put my energy into something that matters. The goal is to build something that lasts, so Fledglings is still here in another 30 years, doing what it does best: helping families.

“We’re growing the range, supporting small parent-led businesses, and working towards a model where sponsors help us provide vital but non-income-generating services, from communication aids to sensory lending libraries.

“Fledglings is now a mission-led social enterprise, which focuses on sustainability, growth, and making a real difference for those who need us most.”

The Disabled Children’s Partnership has launched a report that sets out a positive vision for reform, showing how the special educational needs (SEND) system can be transformed without taking away existing legal rights and protections.

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