About Us
An independent charity founded by parents with disabled children
Ryedale Special Families began in the early 1990’s when a group of 20 families of disabled children started to meet in their own homes in order to share challenges and experiences, as well as offer mutual support to each other.
In 1997 Ryedale Special Families became a registered charity, took on its first employee, a Development Officer and moved into its first office, which was based in Welburn Hall School, near Kirkbymoorside. Since that time we have moved to our current location in Old Malton, expanded our workforce and now provide support to 350 families throughout the Ryedale area.
Although we have grown significantly since those early years, our fundamental principles have not changed, with our work being overseen by 12 parent trustees. Today we have 5 office staff, 40 support staff and are also supported by 56 volunteers.
From 1st April 2017 Ryedale Special Families became a CIO - Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity no. 1170988. Our annual accounts are available on the Charity Commission website. Our annual review and edited accounts for the year 2022 to 2023 can be viewed here.
Our Objectives are:
'The relief of children, young people and young adults with disabilities, additional needs and illness, their families and/or carers, in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, in particular, but not exclusively by the provision of information, advice and support service.'
We believe in the equal rights of disabled families. We work to uphold these rights and campaign to strengthen them.
We also offer routes into local and national planning and make sure that the voices of families, and young people with
disabilities are clearly heard. Ryedale Special Families is a registered provider of care with North Yorkshire County Council
and is registered to provide domiciliary care with the Care Quality Commission.
RSF Policies
Trustees
The board of trustees consists of parents who have a child or young person with a disability or additional needs. Our current board comprises:
Caroline Shepherdson, Chair Person
Ruth Hatton, Deputy Chair
Sioban Ostoja Starzewska, Treasurer
James Cundall MBE
Michael Garrod
Keith Mitchelmore
Nick Simpson