AN AWARENESS group providing a voice for the vulnerable is continuing to ‘bang the drum’ in its fight for the rights of children and adults with complex learning difficulties and disabilities.

Members of the #NeedsToo group have been busy rallying support, meeting with politicians and fundraising with the help of a group of teenage volunteers from the Resonate Hampshire’s National Citizen Service (NCS).

The group began with just seven members in May but has now expanded with more than 550 joining its Facebook page, which has been used to spread the group’s message whilst also offering support to parents and families in need of advice.

Sara Goodson, one of the group’s founders, said: “These are all parents that are really needing support, advice and information.

“It’s become a mine of information for them.”

The group has also been working with pupils enrolled on the NCS programme – a voluntary, government-run personal and social development programme – who have helped to raise more than £800 for the charity already.

“They have been amazing, absolutely amazing,” said Sara.

Meanwhile, #NeedsToo members met with MP for North West Hampshire Kit Malthouse at the Guildhall, in High Street, on Friday, Jul 12.

Mr Malthouse, flanked by borough and county Councillor Kirsty North and assistant director of Children’s Services at Hampshire County Council (HCC) Suzanne Smith, fielded questions from the group about what local and central government are doing to help disabled children and adults.

Various members of the community were also in attendance, supporting the #NeedsToo cause, including Test Valley Borough Councillors Iris Anderson and Karen Hamilton, and Mencap CEO Chris Dixon.

After the meeting Jane Hayward, one of the group’s members, said: “Progress is being made and the more we are out there banging the drum and talking the more we will be heard.”

The group featured on a float at Andover Carnival last weekend, taking inspiration from the Greatest Showman and branding the float with the theme ‘this is me’.