This summer, as part of our Holiday Squad we’ve been putting on Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) friendly activities for children in our communities.
They’re tailored to make it appropriate for everyone so no one is left out and everyone can join in.
To find out more, we caught up with Lewis and Amy, who are taking part in Newcastle United Foundation’s SEND Friendly Multisports sessions.
Lewis James Works for Newcastle United Foundation as their Disability Community Coach:
“It’s going really well. The feedback has been really positive.
“With larger groups, it can be hard to give the specific focus and pace that SEND children need. When we’re in smaller groups it’s easier to cater for everyone. We cater for individual needs; we have more coaches so we can create a more friendly personal experience. The sessions aren’t as structured, they are more laid back so they can dip in and out when they want.
“Often, they don’t go to the same school as each other so it’s a great way for them to make new friends outside of their usual environment and improve their social skills.
“I’d say to any parent thinking ‘my child wouldn’t be able to cope with a full day activity, that this would be an excellent experience for them to try.”
One parent who wholeheartedly agrees is Amy from Consett:
“My son has made loads of friends and he’s having a great time.
“He has quite a complex medical condition. When he’s in hospital he has access to Newcastle United Foundation so it’s a very familiar setup for him. When we saw these sessions advertised, we thought it would be great chance for him to get back in with people who know him and accept him. He can access it with his medical condition with no problems at all.
“I think it really caters for all children especially those with complex medical needs. Using Newcastle United Foundation is great because they are very familiar with children who have long stays in hospital. It’s ideal for people coming who have familiarity but also those who don’t. The activities and challenges set for the children are all within their means and everybody is treated the same.
“It removes barriers as well. The Karbon facilitators rang before the session to tell me all about it and asked if there was any help that he might need. Today there’s an option to stay as a parent too so I can continue his normal routine whilst he has fun at the same time.”
You can join us for our final SEND Friendly Multisports session of the summer on Friday 23 August from 11am – 2pm. Tickets are free and can be booked here.
As well as the Multisport sessions, we’ve also been running creative activities with The Hub in Consett, including Lego therapy and jewellery making.
We met up with Nicola Jayne Little, the Chief Executive of Celebrate the Difference and The HUB, to find out more about the SEND friendly activities we’ve been putting on in partnership with them:
“The Hub provides a safe space where people can enjoy activities, connect, communicate and enjoy the really good food.
“We are neuroinclusive and have activities that children and grownups can attend, whether they’re SEND or not. We have a Lego workshop going on right now in a very small and safe space. A lot of people who work here have experience with things like autism and ADHD so we have a good understanding of what we’re doing.
“The kids are loving it plus the parents get a few hours off as well. They’re great for their social skills and give the kids a chance to be creative and make new friends. Since everyone can join in and everyone is included it means no one misses out.
“We see kids come in and they’re hanging on their parents’ shirt tails. After a couple of hours, they’re not doing that. They’re building their confidence and this joy in making things.
“They’re in safe hands. We don’t care about mess, we don’t stand on ceremony. If you feel like your child doesn’t fit in anywhere, they’ll fit in here.”
To find out more about The Hub, visit their website at https://thehubconsett.co.uk/
This summer, as part of our Holiday Squad we’ve been putting on Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) friendly activities for children in our communities.
They’re tailored to make it appropriate for everyone so no one is left out and everyone can join in.
To find out more, we caught up with Lewis and Amy, who are taking part in Newcastle United Foundation’s SEND Friendly Multisports sessions.
Lewis James Works for Newcastle United Foundation as their Disability Community Coach:
“It’s going really well. The feedback has been really positive.
“With larger groups, it can be hard to give the specific focus and pace that SEND children need. When we’re in smaller groups it’s easier to cater for everyone. We cater for individual needs; we have more coaches so we can create a more friendly personal experience. The sessions aren’t as structured, they are more laid back so they can dip in and out when they want.
“Often, they don’t go to the same school as each other so it’s a great way for them to make new friends outside of their usual environment and improve their social skills.
“I’d say to any parent thinking ‘my child wouldn’t be able to cope with a full day activity, that this would be an excellent experience for them to try.”
One parent who wholeheartedly agrees is Amy from Consett:
“My son has made loads of friends and he’s having a great time.
“He has quite a complex medical condition. When he’s in hospital he has access to Newcastle United Foundation so it’s a very familiar setup for him. When we saw these sessions advertised, we thought it would be great chance for him to get back in with people who know him and accept him. He can access it with his medical condition with no problems at all.
“I think it really caters for all children especially those with complex medical needs. Using Newcastle United Foundation is great because they are very familiar with children who have long stays in hospital. It’s ideal for people coming who have familiarity but also those who don’t. The activities and challenges set for the children are all within their means and everybody is treated the same.
“It removes barriers as well. The Karbon facilitators rang before the session to tell me all about it and asked if there was any help that he might need. Today there’s an option to stay as a parent too so I can continue his normal routine whilst he has fun at the same time.”
You can join us for our final SEND Friendly Multisports session of the summer on Friday 23 August from 11am – 2pm. Tickets are free and can be booked here.
As well as the Multisport sessions, we’ve also been running creative activities with The Hub in Consett, including Lego therapy and jewellery making.
We met up with Nicola Jayne Little, the Chief Executive of Celebrate the Difference and The HUB, to find out more about the SEND friendly activities we’ve been putting on in partnership with them:
“The Hub provides a safe space where people can enjoy activities, connect, communicate and enjoy the really good food.
“We are neuroinclusive and have activities that children and grownups can attend, whether they’re SEND or not. We have a Lego workshop going on right now in a very small and safe space. A lot of people who work here have experience with things like autism and ADHD so we have a good understanding of what we’re doing.
“The kids are loving it plus the parents get a few hours off as well. They’re great for their social skills and give the kids a chance to be creative and make new friends. Since everyone can join in and everyone is included it means no one misses out.
“We see kids come in and they’re hanging on their parents’ shirt tails. After a couple of hours, they’re not doing that. They’re building their confidence and this joy in making things.
“They’re in safe hands. We don’t care about mess, we don’t stand on ceremony. If you feel like your child doesn’t fit in anywhere, they’ll fit in here.”
To find out more about The Hub, visit their website at https://thehubconsett.co.uk/
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