My name is Angela and I have a little boy called Leo who is severely disabled physically and neurologically.

I am raising funds to pay for a 12 mete long 5 foot high fence between my garden and the main busy road, a side gate, for the garden to be levelled out and all potentially dangerous debris like huge lumps of stone and random potholes to be removed/filled in (the garden is an absolute mess with a plenthora of potentially dangerous featurea for any chils let alone one like my son and my front 2 parking spaces to be made into parking spaces where they currently are just 2 pools of constantly wet sinking mud with random plants and bushes sticking out (I am currently having to park on the main road).

We moved into our disability-adapted council bungalow at the end of January from privately rented accomodation, so that Leo could live in a home better suited to his complex physical and neurological disability needs. Since moving in, I have personally funded essential improvements inside the property — including new carpet — to make it safe and liveable.

However, there are urgent external safety issues that I cannot afford to resolve alone in the quick timeframe that is needed to safeguard Leo outside the property from potential physical injury from falling over or elopement should I allow him use of his garden for his much needed sensory regulation outdoor activities he requires for his vestibular system. I also need to secure it to stop people coming into my private property to steal items I am storing under tarpaulin for the warmer months. Just the other day I had 4 items that were stored securely under tarpaulin at the furthest point of my garden, stolen, 3 of which were Leo's outdoor play equipment! I need a side gate.

Leo is severely neurologically disabled. He has severe autism, sensory processing disorder (SPD), global developmental delay (GDD), ADHD, PICA, hypermobility, low muscle tone and suffers from head and abdominal migraines. He was born three months premature. He is non-verbal, has no danger awareness, requires 1:1 support at his SEN school and 24/7 supervision at home. He will never live independently.

Our garden sits directly alongside a main busyroad. There is currently no secure fencing or side gate — only damaged wire that Leo could easily climb under or over. Without proper fencing, he cannot safely use his own garden. Due to his complete lack of danger awareness, access to the road would be extremely dangerous.

We have been quoted just under £900 for a secure 12-metre fence and side gate.

In addition, our two allocated parking spaces are currently unstable and unsafe to both walk and park on though, I currently have no real choice due to Leo's walking and safety. The previous tenant used the area for planting, and the top layer was never properly removed or stabilised. The ground is uneven, with different levels and areas of sinking mud, making it not remotely sturdy to walk on.

I have already fallen due to the unstable surface and I suffer from a spine condition and osteoarthritis. Leo, who is a part-time wheelchair user, has also fallen over into the wet mud; though i was able to break his fall which made the situation less distreasful. This creates a daily risk of injury for both of us. Yes, there is a path however this would mean constantly using Leo's wheelchair to bring him safely in and out the house when either his leg muscles hurt or he is point blank refusing to walk and then the question is where would I park as on street parking makes walking a challenge for him and my spine condition makes getting the wheelchair in and out the car several times a day unreasonable. The house comes with 2 spaces afterall.

Our Motability vehicle has already required a new tyre due to damage from the uneven ground, and the interior of the car is constantly muddy despite repeated cleaning. Mud is also dragged into our home, onto the new carpet and through the main entrance. School uniforms and shoes are being ruined on the way out to school and the inside of the car is forever mucky with mud.

I have purchased the gravel and ground membrane myself in an attempt to improve the situation. However, due to my own physical limitations, I am unable to carry out the necessary groundwork. The existing plants and soil need to be properly removed and the area levelled before the membrane and gravel can be laid. I therefore need to pay for the initial clearance and for professionals to lay the materials safely and correctly.

I have contacted the Council regarding these issues SEVERAL TIMES and have been advised that the external areas are my responsibility. While I fully accept responsibility for ongoing garden maintenance, I do not believe the initial condition of the external areas was appropriate for a disability-adapted property allocated to a severely disabled child.

The lack of secure boundary fencing next to a main road, combined with unstable and uneven parking surfaces, creates a clear safeguarding and accessibility risk. Due to Leo’s severe neurological disabilities and complete lack of danger awareness, the absence of secure fencing places him at substantial risk. The condition of the parking area also presents daily risk of injury and barriers to safe access.

I was advised by the Council to contact the Children with Disabilities Team. I did. They have taken my details for referral, however I have been informed that it could take several months for an assessment if our referal is successful before any potential action is considered by way of a report being sent into the council and even then, it could be a long wait on top of the asseasment wait for the council to rhen act on the OT advice. I contacted a private OT for an assessment but the council rejectes her letter.

I contact the local MP to no avail. Unfortunately, this situation cannot safely wait months. Although I am on the waiting list for an assessment, I need to take action now to safeguard my child and hia motability car from further damage.

These are not cosmetic improvements — they are essential safety and accessibility measures to protect a severely disabled child and make our home genuinely usable.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us create a safe garden for Leo and safe, stable access to our home.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting our family.