Summer Activities for Children and Young People with SEND

07/07/2021

PACC is a founding members of the Actio Consortium and we are excited to launch our first summer activity programme for Shropshire SEND families.  The program combines All In activities funded by Shropshire Council and a range of family activities for any young person aged 0-25 who struggles to access mainstream activity sessions.  This wider offer is funded as part of the Government’s £750m charities package and provided with the support of Pears Foundation, and has a focus on ensuring support reaches frontline organisations and their communities.  As part of the application for funding we were asked to consider how our proposal would respond to the impact of Covid 19 and therefore this offer is aimed at supporting SEND families to re engage with community based activities as Covid restrictions are lifted.  With this in mind it should be recognised that the main aim of this programme isn’t to provide Short Breaks for parent carers and in most cases parent carers or support workers will need to attend with the child or young person.  What we hope the programme will provide is opportunities for the Shropshire SEND community to come together and to enjoy a range of activities in a supportive environment, helping families to re build their confidence and to reconnect with each other following the Covid lockdown.

To access both the All In activities and the Actio Summer Activities you will need  either an All In membership number or an Actio membership number.  Details of what activities are on offer, how to book and how to register with either All In or Actio are on the Actio website https://actioconsortium.wixsite.com/website/actio-activities?fbclid=IwAR0rpDksxON0_s0z2ml5fnjjNB3VfcAw7bU1zwmmFxCjqoe5hV93jqlQHPw

Shropshire Council is also working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to run an exciting holiday programme this summer, Shropshire HAF (Holiday Activities and Food). There are free places available on the programme for children and young people aged 5 to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

If your is eligible you will be given a Shropshire HAF Voucher, by their school. The voucher entitles your child/ren to a free place on one of the many holiday programmes in Shropshire. Many of the providers are running inclusive activity, with places available for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). These have been highlighted in the HAF Guide.

Shropshire HAF are working in partnership with the Actio Consortium to promote these opportunities.