Warwickshire’s children benefit from successful summer playscheme

Throughout summer 2018, Warwickshire County Council commissioned a playscheme for children with disabilities, in collaboration with two local organisations and two local schools.

The summer scheme provided support and fun activities for children with disabilities. This included baking lessons, arts and crafts, strawberry picking, dance, use of a sensory room, water play and soft play. A number of trips were also organised through the scheme to destinations such as Hatton Farm, Kingsbury Water Park and Twycross Zoo. Overall parents were extremely pleased with the scheme and the opportunities it provided, not only for their children but also in terms of respite for themselves.

One parent said: “I was happy and I know my daughter enjoyed it and it gave us both the time apart that we needed over the long summer holiday, thank you!”

The service, which ran throughout August 2018, was based at Round Oak School in Warwick, where it was delivered by Circle Network, and Woodlands School in Coleshill where it was run by SENSE. Young people built positive relationships with both organisations and some are now accessing activities with them after school and weekends.

Cllr Jeff Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “I am so pleased the summer activity scheme has been a success and hope we are able to replicate that next year and further in the future. The service has enabled young people with additional needs to access activities and trips they may not usually be able to, learn new skills and have fun with their family.”

Warwickshire County Council will continue to work with community organisations to plan future schemes and hopes to bring the service back next year to enable even more families to benefit. To find out more about the local offer for children with special educational needs or disabilities, please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/send