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Our Story

Our work began in November 2010 when we secured official approval for our work in Serbia through a high-level meeting with the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF and Serbian NGOs. This foundational meeting enabled all subsequent collaborations.
Here are some highlights of our collaborative achievements:

2010 - 2015
Hands-on support in Kulina Care Institution

We made seven professional visits to the Kulina institution for disabled children and adults, working shoulder-to-shoulder with local staff to enhance care. Together, we:

  • Supported the transfer of all the children from the large institution to small group homes with educational and therapeutic support including;
  • Created personalised care and early learning plans 
  • Provided expertise in communication, mobility, and social interaction
  • Delivered training in non-verbal communication, early speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and gastroenterological support
  • Introduced educational frameworks for multi-sensory stimulation and developmental learning

Plus

  • Donated essential care, sensory, educational, and play equipment
April 2012
Professional Development Exchange Programme

In collaboration with UNICEF and Serbian ministries:

  • We hosted a delegation of Serbian professionals in London, including directors of care institutions and senior policymakers, for a study tour on inclusive care and community living
  • The group attended sessions with UK professionals, including a presentation from the Lead for Joint Services for Children with Learning Disabilities in Enfield
  • Follow-up training took place in Belgrade, with NHS experts delivering sessions on:
    • The Triple P Positive Parenting Programme
    • Multi-Systemic Therapy for Adolescents
    • Watch, Wait and Wonder – therapeutic approaches for under-5s
    • Intensive adolescent support and cross-agency care pathways
Autumn 2014
Support to Community Homes

Our teams visited community homes in Aleksinac, Negotin, and Niš, where we offered consultation on therapy provision and inclusive education.

March 2015
Criminal Justice System Training

In partnership with UNICEF and Serbia’s Ministry of Justice, we delivered:

  • A workshop on youth offending programmes and the importance of engaging families in rehabilitation
  • Follow-up training on therapeutic skills for staff working with vulnerable youth
  • The programme received positive feedback from participants and high praise from the Ministry
2017
Multisensory Therapy Exploration

We returned to Kulina with the Life Foundation, a music therapist, and a clown doctor, to explore the integration of volunteer-led multisensory and musical therapy programmes 

2017–2019
Regional Collaboration

Our Education Lead undertook a series of visits to Romania, facilitated by the Life Foundation, to explore models for long-term sustainability and regional cooperation.

2018
Suspension of Visits

Due to a change in regulation, the Serbian government temporarily paused international NGO activity in care institutions. We continue to work closely with local partners to obtain certification and resume support work.

2018–2020
Planning for Belgrade Child Development Centre

We launched the design phase for our flagship project: a Child Development Centre in Belgrade, working with the director of Zvečanska Social Care Institution and city authorities. Key progress included:

  • Drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zvečanska
  • Engaging with UNICEF, MPs, and the Serbian ambassador to the UK to build national support
  • Preparing a fully costed plan to establish the Centre and replicate the model elsewhere