Welcome to Little Hiccups

Little Hiccups is an award-winning, Leeds-based, parent-led support charity dedicated to helping families with children who have disabilities or additional needs. Founded by parents who understand the unique challenges of raising a child with complex needs, we provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community where families can connect, share experiences, and access vital support.

In 2005, Linsay, the founder of Little Hiccups gave birth to her little boy, full of the joys of becoming a parent and filled with all of the dreams and aspirations for their lives ahead…. those dreams were shattered just a few days afterwards as they very nearly lost their boy. They spent the following weeks in PICU before finally bringing their son home, only to keep returning to the LGI as the extent of his injuries came apparent. Jack had been left with scarring all over his brain, resulting in him having severe cortical visual impairment, he cannot sit, stand, hold up his head, or use his hands. He cannot speak (though he can certainly vocalise and express his teenage strops! He is fed via a gastrostomy, has a very difficult to treat form of Epilepsy called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome which means he has 20-30 seizures a day of every different kind and his condition is life limiting. All that said, he is the most loving and inspirational boy we have ever met.

The journey he has taken Linsay on since then has been a roller coaster. He is also the inspiration behind Little Hiccups. In fact, he is the reason behind the Little Hiccups name. The name came about because when Jack was first born he appeared to be having ‘little hiccups’. We later found out they were seizures  and this was the start of our journey and in 2009, Little Hiccups was founded.

Our mission is to ensure that no family feels isolated. We offer a wide range of services including accessible family events, sensory-friendly activities, and inclusive play sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of children with disabilities. These events are designed not only for fun but also to foster social inclusion and build confidence in both children and their families.

In addition to our events, we provide practical support such as equipment lending, signposting to relevant services, and emotional support through peer networks. We also work closely with local authorities and healthcare providers to advocate for better services and accessibility.

Little Hiccups is committed to creating a world where all children, regardless of ability, are celebrated and supported. Our work is made possible through the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the resilience of the families we serve.