‘Inspirational and fun’ activity club launched

AN ACTIVITY club for disabled children is to continue in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Caudwell Children, the Staffordshire based national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children, has announced that it is to continue running its fortnightly activity clubs at eight venues across Staffordshire.

Now bosses at the charity are urging parents and carers of disabled children in the region to use the facility in order to meet new people, make friends and have fun.

The term time only sessions run on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. The Moorlands venue is at Bradnop Village Hall located in School Lane.

The club is open to disabled children and those with additional needs, aged eight to 18, the first clubs of 2019 were held last Saturday, January, 26. However, the charity says that children can attend as and when they like.

Julia Lunn, national family services manager for Caudwell Children, said that the clubs give participants the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy a variety of activities.

She said: “A staggering 78 per cent of disabled children in the UK have no access to activities outside of their home and they can become extremely isolated.

“The clubs give participants the chance to enjoy a range of activities focusing on the world around us and they include a variety of crafts, games and exercises looking at things such as designing, inventing, science, chemical reactions, technology, codes, music technology, team building, astronomy and architecture.

“We also have regular competitions, which makes for extremely exciting, fun filled sessions.”

Julia said that the activity clubs motivate and engage participants, while also instilling positive behaviour and improving health and wellbeing.

The clubs have also been designed to build peer network PUPILS at Blackshaw Moor C of E First School are celebrating after winning the Rotary Club of Leek Young Artist 2018 competition.

The event is held every year and this year’s theme was remembrance due to the and friendship groups, reduce isolation, and develop communication and social skills.

However, she was keen to stress that the activity clubs don’t just benefit the children.

She said: “While the clubs are inspirational and fun for the children and young people; they also provide parents and carers with vital respite.

“Worryingly 75 per cent of centenary of the end of World War One.

The winners (pictured) for Blackshaw Moor School were Martha Hine, Cody Hansen and (seated) Ruby Heath.

All the children received a certificate and the winners also received a book token. families with disabled children feel so isolated that it has caused anxiety and depression, so the clubs are a great way for parents to get out and meet other adults living with the challenges of disability.”

The activity clubs, funded by Aiming High Staffordshire, are ASDAN accredited as part of their Key Steps Award and participants will have the opportunity to gain an ASDAN short course certificate.

ASDAN is a pioneering curriculum development organisation and awarding body which ensures that accredited programmes grow skills for learning, employment and life.

For further information or to book a place, call Julia Lunn on 01782 433730 or email Julia. lunn@caudwellchildren.com.