"The highlight? Offering fully funded, child‑led play to over fifty families each year—no labels, no waiting list, just a safe space where children are accepted and parents can finally breathe.”
— Eliza, Service Manager
As we prepare to launch more details about our 2025-27 lottery project, I thought it was important to highlight and celebrate some of the achievements of our previous three year “Inclusive Play and Meaningful Moments Project” which paved the way for this one to be possible.
Some people might not know that my Service Manager role is almost entirely funded by the National Lottery, so I feel incredibly privileged that this has again been extended for 2 more years due to us being able to evidence the impact that our projects have made on families across Forth Valley. I’m in a privileged position to have oversight of the whole company, having real variety in my role from day to day. This ranges from direct work with families; managing a brilliant staff team; compliance/quality assurance; meeting with funders, universities, colleges and the Board of Directors; coordinating and supervising students; representing the team at events; delivering training UK wide under the BounceOT brand and many other aspects of the business. I have had many opportunities to develop professionally, from ongoing training to coaching sessions.
“Our therapy room offered something profoundly safe for children with early trauma—and it set me on the path to train in Play Therapy.”
— Eliza, Service Manager
The main highlight of the project for me was the impact we were able to have through the offering of fully funded play sessions to 50+ families per year. We operate an open referral system and this project offered a fair way for anybody to access regardless of whether they had a diagnosed disability, were on a waiting list or not. We were also able to keep costs down for local families by offering a discount code when booking once the funded block was completed. Feedback showed us that this was especially important to those not yet in receipt of a budget through their local social work service. Today I am still working with some of the families I first met in 2022 which feels incredibly special. Building these relationships and supporting individuals to develop skills gives a high level of job satisfaction.
We have a strong belief as a team that play is for everyone, and I have loved having parents and carers joining my sessions during this project to engage with us and find different ways to connect with their child. We confidently tell families that sessions are child-led; we do not go in with an agenda or a notion of fixing perceived ‘problems’. Through play, children can experience freedom and acceptance of who they are in a safe place with a safe adult. Parents were invited to stay and play or use the time for respite. Many parents told us that it was the only hour of the week when they felt they could truly relax knowing their child was safe.
“Some of the children I met in 2022 are still with me today. Those relationships—and the skills they’re building—are what make this work so deeply satisfying.”
— Eliza, Service Manager
The final point for me to make about this project is that the work we did with local schools led to me working with a small number of individuals who had experienced early childhood trauma. The therapy room offered these children something really special and it led me down a path of exploring Play Therapy. I am now nearing the end of a three year masters degree as a result, and I’m so grateful to the opportunities created through the Lottery for me to be able to develop in this job and field as a result of the funding.
Some of the feedback received by our customers and funders is detailed below as a summary to show what the project offered and the impact it made:
Benefits of the Inclusive Play & Meaningful Moments Project
1. Meaningful, Measurable Impact for Children and Adults with Disabilities
Improved physical health, including balance, co-ordination, and core strength.
Better sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing.
Increased confidence, communication, and social engagement.
Tailored support through the Universal–Targeted–Specialist model ensured every participant received the right level of input.
2. Life-Changing Support for Parent Carers and Families
Reduced isolation and improved mental health for parent carers.
Increased confidence in supporting their child’s development.
100% of parents receiving Occupational Performance Coaching rated it “excellent.”
Families consistently described BounceOT as a trusted, safe, and essential service.
3. Strong, Sustained Engagement
356 individuals supported — exceeding the target of 300.
Over 75% of families continued accessing BounceOT after their funded block, demonstrating long-term value.
Accessible 7‑day service model reduced barriers for busy families and support workers.
4. Improved Accessibility Through Digital Innovation
New website and custom CRM transformed how families engage with the service.
Families can now manage bookings, view notes, and track progress online.
Increased transparency, autonomy, and ease of access.
No more waiting list!
5. A Deeply Embedded Co-Creation Culture
Families, staff, and volunteers actively shaped service development.
Parent Partners group and Universal Reviews ensured lived experience informed decisions.
Staff-led innovation strengthened ownership and creativity across the team.
6. Strengths-Based, Neuro-affirming Practice
Sessions built on each individual’s abilities, preferences, and sensory needs.
Frameworks such as GIRFEC, GIRFE, Keys to Life, and RCOT guidelines ensured high-quality, evidence-based practice.
7. Strong Partnerships and Sustainable Pathways
Expanded referral network across local authorities, schools, and third sector organisations.
Self-Directed Support (SDS) pathways enabled families to continue attending at no personal cost.
Partnerships strengthened community cohesion and improved access to therapeutic support.
8. Significant Volunteer and Workforce Development
26 volunteers contributed to the project.
Staff gained new qualifications and specialist training.
Academic partnerships with multiple universities created a pipeline of future practitioners.
9. Long-Term Sustainability and Legacy
High retention rates and SDS pathways ensure ongoing access.
Digital systems, co-creation structures, and skilled staff create a strong foundation for future growth.
The project directly informed the next phase: Stronger Together.
10. A Trusted, Essential Community Resource
Families repeatedly described BounceOT as:
A lifeline.
Unique and irreplaceable.
The only service that truly meets their needs.
A safe, joyful, therapeutic space for the whole family.
The project didn’t just deliver sessions — it built community, confidence, and long-term resilience.
“I’m incredibly grateful that National Lottery funding sustained my Service Manager role—so I could stand alongside families, grow our team and help build a service many now call a lifeline.”
— Eliza, Service Manager
