Lodge News

Yeovil Freemasons from Royal Naval Lodge support pre-school and baby group

Yeovil Opportunity Group (YOG) is a unique pre-school and baby group offering specialised support for children and their families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Based in the Balidon Centre at Summerlands Hospital, YOG was the brainchild of a Consultant Paediatrician and speech and language therapist, who believed that all children, including those with additional needs deserved the best possible start in life.

Just from visiting Yeovil Opportunity Group you get a feeling of the friendliness and warmth of the staff and the professional manner with which the centre is administered. This is reflected by its Ofsted grading and the feedback from parents and the professionals who work with the team at YOG.

Covid 19 has taken its toll on many charities, YOG being one of them. The Royal Naval Masonic Lodge plans to continue to offer support and was very pleased to start by donating £2000 towards the cost of keeping a SEND specialist key worker.

From left to right: Chris Kelly (charity steward) Kim Duller (YOG manager) , Martin Duan (Worshipful Master)

Kim Duller (pictured above) and her team provide the highest levels of individualised support and care.
Alan Watkins, the lodge communications officer says…”The word that sums them up for me is “Reassurance”. This is what every parent requires and looks for when placing their children into a new and early life learning environment.

The brethren of the Royal Navy Masonic Lodge No 2761 wish Kim and her team sincere best wishes for the future growth and development of UOG. Yeovil children and their families are extremely lucky to have this facility which is a charity that certainly enhances early childhood learning experiences.

Kim Duller YOGs Manager commented …
“Whilst the journey to remain open throughout the whole lock down has been a roller coaster; never really knowing what was going to happen next, the whole team were determined to be here for our children and families and to carry on supporting them through the toughest and darkest of times. It hasn’t been easy, but knowing the difference we have made to our children and the lives of our families over the last 18 months has made staying open, so worthwhile. The lack of charity funding during this time has been scary, but we are so, so grateful to the Royal Navy Masonic Lodge for their donation which will help us to continue our work.

For more information on the Yeovil Opportunity Group, please visit their website

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