The Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity awards were held at the St George’s Centre, Chatham last Saturday 25th February. The event was to celebrate the many charities and worthy causes that had benefitted from grants over the last year. Normally an annual event, this was the first time it had been held since the Covid-19 lockdown.
Among the recipients was Step and Learn, a small charity providing a form of physio therapy known as Conductive Education to children with cerebral palsy in Kent. In 2021, the CEKFC awarded a grant of £1,800 following an application for match funding from Honor Oak Lodge. Trustees Karen Parsler and Charlotte Streatfield gave a presentation and explained how the grant had enabled them to purchase specialist equipment which helps the children in their therapy.
Conductive Education is a comprehensive method of learning by which children with cerebral palsy, learn to perform actions that any other child might learn through normal life experiences. The focus for the child is to learn ways to access information about their environment without modifying the environment. Performed correctly, conductive education elicits spontaneous responses to external stimuli. The program relies on a child’s natural abilities, not corrective, modified or adapted. This in turn allows for a child to develop appropriate strategies within their ability to function in various environments.
Charlotte said, “This treatment is not available on the NHS so grants like this one are vital in ensuring that these children become as independent as they can possibly be. We’re really very grateful to Honor Oak and to the Cornwallis Freemason’s Charity for their support.”.
Trustees Charlotte Streatfield, and Karen Parsler along with Beau Streatfield pictured with the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Neil Johnstone.
Beau’s sessions at Step and Learn are sponsored through Honor Oak Lodge by the Ray Horn Legacy.
Honor Oak Lodge No. 1986 