Finding his voice: How Yeovil Opportunity Group is helping George thrive

George at Yeovil Opportunity Group

For children with complex additional needs, early specialist support can make the difference between a world that feels frustrating and inaccessible, and one full of opportunity.  

Yeovil Opportunity Group (YOG), a specialist SEND pre-school and registered charity, has been providing exactly that kind of support to children and their families since 1970 – and we’ve supported their work with 13 grants totalling over £68,000 since 2013. 

We spoke to Kim Duller, Manager at YOG about George, who joined the group in September 2024 at the age of 2, and the progress he’s made since. 

A world of frustration 

“When George first joined, he had no recognisable spoken words and often became frustrated because he couldn’t communicate his needs. He needed consistent, one-to-one support from our teacher-led SEN team just to engage in play and begin developing language,” she says. 

“Our team built George a personalised communication programme using objects, photographs and Makaton signing, alongside specialist autism communication techniques. This gave him structure, reduced his anxiety, and helped him understand and anticipate his daily routine.  

Staff also worked patiently with George during snack and mealtimes, helping him build confidence around new foods and textures, and developed a detailed understanding of his non-verbal communication so his needs were consistently met.” 

Identifying George’s needs  

We asked how George and his family were supported beyond the classroom. 

“George’s developmental delay was first identified by his Health Visitor, who referred him to YOG. From there, we worked closely with occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, a dietitian, the Area SENCO, Portage and a consultant paediatrician. That collaborative approach led to George receiving a formal autism diagnosis in March 2025,” says Kim. 

“We have also supported the family through George’s transition to a specialist school placement, which he’ll start in September 2026.” 

The impact on both George and his family 

George’s mum said: “YOG has helped him learn to communicate his needs more and join in with more activities. I am so thankful for everything they have helped George achieve over the years.” 

Like many Opportunity Groups across the country, YOG has faced challenges in recent years, including rising costs that have pushed some similar groups to close altogether. Our most recent grant, from the Stronger Communities Fund, helped support rising rental costs. They are now seeking new premises to be able to keep doing this work. 

For families like George’s, groups like YOG are a lifeline – offering specialist support, expert guidance and reassurance at some of the most difficult and uncertain moments in a family’s life. It’s exactly the kind of community-rooted support we want to keep backing across Somerset. 

Find out more about YOG and their work. 

If you’re passionate about changing young people’s lives in Somerset, learn more about our Somerset Youth Fund.