Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills (ARCOS) is a small UK charity based in Malvern, working to improve life for children and adults who have communication and oral skills difficulties (eating, drinking, and swallowing). These conditions are often complex, persist throughout life, and require specialist, long-term treatment. These complex medical conditions arise from conditions including; Cerebral Palsy, Autism, MS, MND, stroke, Parkinson’s and Down Syndrome. Many of our clients have been told that nothing more can be done for them, but we believe there is always some way to improve life. Each year we support clients and their families with information, advice and therapy, enabling them to benefit from advances in knowledge, skills and technology. We collaborate with the NHS, education and social organisations, professionals, individuals, and family, to ensure we develop and provide personalised therapy and care. We complement stretched NHS rehabilitative services for our client group. Our Resource, Training, and Therapy Centre is based in Malvern, Worcestershire, where we provide direct support to around 150 people and their families each year. We also deliver specialist training courses for approximately 100 carers, relatives, and professionals - therapists, nurses, and teachers and nationwide outreach service, extending the reach and impact of our work to around 800 people across the UK.
Part of ARCOS's services includes the SMILE project which provides therapeutic education and play for children and young people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and disabilities. This project provides group and one-to-one sessions, helping improve communication skills and confidence in social interaction. SMILE encourages families and carers to play and learn alongside their children with the help and support of fully trained, experienced staff and volunteers. The approach to sensory, family learning creates a supportive atmosphere for families to have the space to learn and grow together.
Covid-19 meant that the SMILE facility had to stop group activity and only ran individual sessions followed up by remote therapy. The SMILE clients have benefitted greatly from remote therapy but will also benefit from attending the sessions in person again particularly with an added outdoor area.
