Some 20 years ago, the Buddy Bear School was set up by the Buddy Bear Trust, a registered charity. This was in response to the pleas of parents who wanted conductive education for their children, who suffered from cerebral palsy and other motor disorders.

Conductive education was developed by the world famous Peto Institute in Budapest. Conductive education at the Buddy Bear School has had life changing consequences for some of the children who have been lucky enough to attend our school in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

There are no miracles, only determined, focused work under the expert guidance of our Peto Institute trained and qualified conductor, Ms Ildiko Veres.

Our Children

Specifically designed education programmes are essential for children suffering from these crippling conditions.

Each child is in a race against time to develop to their own optimum level of independence before they become entrapped by their own bodies.

Talitha is just one of some 65 children born every year in Northern Ireland with cerebral palsy.

Talitha wants to do everything, like all children.

Without conductive education, she would be forced to look on and be looked after for life.

We need your help to make a lifetime of difference for Talitha and many other children like her.

As you can see, Zara’s mother helps her to stand at the Buddy Bear School. The school is her only hope for some independence.

Daniel was one of the first fortunate children to benefit from conductive education at the Buddy Bear School. His mother, Mary originally took him to the Peto Institute in Hungary when he was born 22 years ago, where doctors held out very limited expectations for him because of cerebral palsy.

When the Buddy Bear School opened in 1993, Daniel became a pupil and travelled 70 miles everyday with his mother, to benefit from the life changing therapy.

Daniel is now an independent young man, hoping to swim for Ireland at the next Special Olympics.