They want to help families who will be waking up with nothing on December 25
Linda and Mellissa with Jacob(Image: Linda Clarke)
For millions of children Christmas Day is one of the happiest days in the calendar, but for some families waking up in deprived areas of Liverpool the joyous occasion is much more punishing. Speaking to the ECHO Linda Clarke described how some families will be waking up with no presents, no family to visit, alone and struggling.
She knows this first hand, because earlier this year she founded a soft play centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Liverpool, with her sister Melissa Clarke and has worked with families who struggle every day since.
Linda Clarke, 38, from, Toxteth, opened the centre after her nephew Jaxon Crawford, six, was diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome, a rare congenital disorder that only affects one in 32,000 people. Jaxon, who was diagnosed at 14 months, is prone to seizures and suffers a variety of health issues due to the illness.
Despite Jaxon at times being seemingly unfazed by his health issues, they do present daily challenges, including ‘simple’ things like being able to go to soft play centres like other children his age.
Linda previously told the ECHO: “We identified it was not fully accessible and children and parents had to leave when they were having meltdowns. It was uncomfortable for the parents and the child to be in a play centre that was not accessible”.
So, fast forward to 2025 and Linda and Melissa founded The Lumiere charity to support families in similar situations, opening their first Lumiere play centre, accessible for children with SEND.
Linda and Mellissa at the opening on their soft play centre(Image: Linda Clarke)
The centre has gone on to help dozens of families across the city and now the sisters want to make Christmas Day the “happiest day in the calendar,” for those who in previous years could have dreaded December 25.
Linda said: “We’re fortunate to have a big family and we have created a family through Lumiere. Since opening we have supported parents struggling, whether it’s financially, mentally, or physically and we always say if we don’t look after the parents they can’t look after children.
“So, when it came to Christmas I said to my sister we have this centre sat there, that they rely on, we can’t just leave it closed for the day knowing our families are out there struggling.”
Lumiere Inclusive Play and Sensory Centre in Fazakerley(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Since it opened the centre has become a “life line” for many parents. Linda continued: “These families will be waking up on Christmas day in low income houses, in deprived areas, with no present, no Christmas dinner, and we want to do something to help.
“So, we approached Global Beauty Products to sponsor us, they helped us when we first opened, and Warren [the owner] didn’t hesitate to agree to help.
“Thanks to his sponsor, we’re now opening on Christmas Day and we’re offering a festive breakfast, we will be playing music, bringing joy, and sacks of presents for the children and parents.” She added: “We’re going to make it a magical day and do whatever we can to help.”
You can book to visit Lumiere on Christmas Day on their website.
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