The idea
Our aim with creating Time for Us Club is to work with SEN children based in Gravesham and Dartford with a range of learning difficulties associated with Autism, Speech & Language/Communication difficulties, as well as those with complex medical conditions. This ambition emerged when an additional needs child wanted to attend an arts club we run at a mainstream school. We were unable to provide a space for them as, at the time, we were unable to facilitate the specialist support that would have been required for this individual to have a safe, enjoyable experience. As a small arts organisation, we were disappointed that we couldn’t offer this, and attempted to help the parent of this child find alternative arts activities suitable for them - and we discovered that this provision was severely lacking. We realised that SEN children & young people are so frequently forgotten about in the planning of extra-curricular activities, despite how beneficial these provisions are.
What we'll deliver
- A range of FREE art and wellbeing activities during the school holidays for children & young people with SEND.
- FREE respite care for parents/carers/siblings, offering wellbeing support.
Why it's a great idea
The school holidays are a chance to have fun, and an opportunity to relax & participate in great activities, but for SEN children & young people, being able to do these things is a lot more difficult. The Disabled Children’s Partnership writes that 80% of parents who have a child with a learning difficulty struggle to access support services during school holidays, which puts an additional pressure on families. We want to alleviate this stress and offer a safe space in which SEN children & young people can come and enjoy themselves & access bespoke arts activities with a range of local artists - and, as a result, the strain on family life is alleviated.
This funding will mean that we are able to create a space where our participants can:
-Experience high level arts learning, connecting with local artists
-Develop new friendships with others
-Develop artistic talent
-Develop social skills such as teamwork & communication
-Be independent
-Develop resilience and self-esteem
Steps to get it done
- Planning and Recruitment
- Community Engagement and Sign-Up
- Space Setup and Resource Procurement
- Staff Training and Preparation
- Pilot Sessions
- Feedback and Adjustment
- Full Program Rollout
- Ongoing Evaluation and Expansion
As an organisation we have run many projects and workshops involving SEN people, such as an inclusive summer school creating a theatre show. During the February half-term of 2023, we ran a pilot Time for Us Club at a local specialised state school, Ifield. The school caters for profound, severe, and complex learning needs.
This pilot was open to any local SEN children, and gave an insight to our organisation as to what worked well, and what could be developed.
The pilot received incredible feedback, with a number of parents imploring us to run a similar offering again. One parent noted it is “so rare to find something specialised for SEN children”, and we provided “a place where they feel comfortable” participating.
We are committed to offering a diverse provision of activities, and ensuring that our participants get the opportunity to experience the level of artistic offer we deliver in mainstream schools, adapted to their needs, recognising the pace/support required.
