Opinion: I created the space I never had growing up

By Jayden Mace

Founder & Teacher, Special Little Voices

Growing up in Sussex with cerebral palsy, I learned early on what it feels like to be on the outside looking in.

Like every child, I wanted to play, join in, make friends, and have fun. But as I was growing up, there simply weren’t any local groups where I felt truly included, understood, or accepted. It wasn’t that people didn’t care—it was just that the spaces around me weren’t built with young people like me in mind. That feeling of isolation stays with you.

Having experienced those barriers firsthand, I decided that I didn’t want another child in our community to grow up feeling the same way.

In 2023, at the age of 17, I set up Special Little Voices.

A Safe Haven of Music and Movement

Based at the Church of the Ascension Church Hall right here in Peacehaven (BN10 8HR), Special Little Voices is a music and movement community group designed specifically for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their families.

Music and movement have a wonderful way of breaking down barriers. Through rhythm, interactive play, and gentle movement, our weekly sessions give children a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where they can:

Express themselves freely through sound and motion.

Build confidence at their own pace.

Develop motor and social skills in a supportive environment.

Make friends who accept them exactly as they are.

Beyond the impact on the children, Special Little Voices is just as much about supporting the whole family. Parenting a child with SEN can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating. Our sessions give parents and carers a warm local network—a place to sit back, share experiences, gain advice, or simply chat with others who truly get it.

Open Doors for All of Sussex

While our home is in Peacehaven, our doors are open to families right across East and West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and all surrounding areas. Every child deserves their moment to shine, no matter their background or diagnosis.

Building Special Little Voices from the ground up has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. Seeing children who walked in shy or hesitant start to laugh, move to the music, and make their very first friends makes every single effort worthwhile.

My goal is simple: to make sure no child ever feels left out, and to prove that with the right support, every little voice deserves to be heard.

Fore more information, email [email protected]

Who Can Join: SEN children, parents, and carers across Sussex