Our Story

Our History

Nansa was established in 1954 by a group of families for the purposes of providing meaningful and enriching activities and support to their adult children with cerebral palsy.

In the years since, Nansa has grown to provide a far wider range of specialist provision, for people of all ages living with, or caring for others with, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In addition, Nansa also facilitates a range of projects that promote inclusion, advocacy, participation, accessibility, and awareness of/for not only those with SEND, but a wider community of neurologically diverse individuals, who may feel excluded, marginalised, or unsupported because of social, behavioural, and/or developmental differences.

Our Services

Nansa can offer support from the perinatal stage through to adulthood. We work with parents during (and shortly after) pregnancy and with families throughout the early years, from infancy, and often prior to, and/or without any formal diagnosis of their child’s condition.

Nansa collaborates with every family to ensure their child’s specific needs are met, promoting development and progression through a programme of specialist early intervention. Nansa offers a safe, calm, friendly, and non-judgemental environment for families to access support, and meet other inspirational parents, carers, and children facing similar challenges.

Nansa’s varied programme of activities and opportunities for adults, promotes wellbeing and independence and is tailored to meet the specific needs of every individual who attends. Programmes are inclusive and aim to further every individual’s development and progression, towards a set of agreed aims and personal objectives.

Nansa also facilitates a range of advocacy and participation projects for young people with SEND and/or those who may feel excluded, marginalised, or unsupported because of social, behavioural, and/or developmental differences.

Our Mission

The Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association (Nansa) offer a range of specialist provision, for people of all ages living with, or caring for others with, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In addition, Nansa also facilitates a range of projects that promote inclusion, advocacy, participation, accessibility, and awareness of/for not only those with SEND, but a wider community of neurologically diverse individuals, who may feel excluded, marginalised, or unsupported because of social, behavioural, and/or developmental differences.

Nansa will promote and embrace partnerships with other providers and agencies throughout Norfolk to associatively and collaboratively:

be ambassadors for inclusion,
empower people with SEND to achieve their goals,
open doors to opportunities,
develop and support personal growth,
challenge assumptions and encourage aspirations,
facilitate the advocacy and participation of those we support,
and promote the inclusion of those with neurological/developmental differences countywide.

Our Timeline

1954 – Nansa is founded
1965 – Adults’ Centre opens (Bowthorpe Rd)
1994 – Family Services begin at the Clare School
2001 – Families’ Centre opens (Woodcock Rd)
2018 – Nansa wins at the Norfolk Care Awards (see video below)
2019 – Charity of the Year (CAMRA – Norwich Beer Festival)
2020 – Nansa becomes the Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association
2021 – We remember founding member Peter Blackburn
2021 – The Disability Real Action Group of Norfolk joins Nansa
2022 – SENsational Families joins Nansa
2023 – The First Visible Festival is Held at The Forum (Norwich)
2024 – Nansa’s Platinum Anniversary and Gala Dinner (video below)