Article last updated 22 July 2025.
As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, we’d like to turn our spotlight on Brainwave, a charity that focuses on unlocking children’s potential. Brainwave exists to help children with disabilities and additional needs achieve greater independence by aiming to improve their mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of specialist therapies.
"Brainwave exists to help children with disabilities and additional needs achieve greater independence by aiming to improve their mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of specialist therapies."
Since 1982, Brainwave has supported more than 13,000 children (and their families) across the UK who have a range of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The charity takes a multi-disciplinary approach with a combination of physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and learning development. It has delivered over 95,000 hours of therapy and loaned out 26,000 pieces of equipment for children to use while carrying out their individualised programmes at home.
Brainwave has been supported by a whole host of well-known figures including HRH The Countess of Wessex, Downton Abbey’s Lord Fellowes and his wife Lady Emma, Fay Brookes, Rowetta, Bez, Cath Tyldesley, Simon Rimmer and Jack P Shepherd.
Like many charities, Brainwave’s fundraising activities were badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rathbones’ PI and COP team are delighted to have joined the Brainwave 40th Anniversary Guardianship programme which aims to give children the gift of greater independence.
"Rathbones’ PI and COP team are delighted to have joined the Brainwave 40th Anniversary Guardianship programme which aims to give children the gift of greater independence."
As a Brainwave guardian, we are helping to sustain the charity’s vital services and their vision to reach out to more children across the UK.
Natalie’s Brainwave experience
Children go to Brainwave with a variety of disabilities and needs. When they first attend, they’re typically aged between 2 months to 12 years, although they can continue to be supported into adulthood.
One such person - who started to work with Brainwave when she was just two-and-a-half years old and who still attends now at the age of 32 years - is Natalie. She was born with cerebral palsy. Doctors had advised Natalie’s parents that she was unlikely to walk or talk but, with the support of Brainwave, she has thankfully defied the odds. After completing her GCSEs, her National Diploma, Degree and Masters, Natalie is now working at MediaCity for the BBC.
As a thank you for all the help and support she’s received over the years from Brainwave, Natalie climbed the O2 building with Olly Murs and raised £30,000 for the charity.
A word from the CEO
Keith Sinclair, CEO of Brainwave, said at the start of their 40th year anniversary, “I am delighted to launch the celebrations. We are looking forward to sharing all our incredible memories throughout the year as we continue to raise awareness for Brainwave. We also have a variety of special fundraising initiatives which include Challenge 40, Wear Ruby Red Day and our Brainwave Lottery. We’re putting together an interactive “40 Years of Memories” online wall for past and present families, volunteers, supporters and staff to share their amazing stories. With the help of our kind supporters we’re hoping to raise £40,000 in 2022. This will fund a new full-time therapist, which will enable us to support more children who need our help.”
To learn more about Brainwave, or to make a donation, visit brainwave.org.uk.
For further information view Rathbones’ specialist personal injury and Court of Protection services.
