Looking for a way to entertain your children over the school holidays? Six weeks of summer sound like a daunting prospect? Holiday camp sessions and activities not quite right? Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, has a whole host of different options for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Provides a range of services for children and young people while supporting many families in Dorset, including play sessions during the weekends and school holidays, as well as an advice and guidance service for parents.
How do I get involved?
Parents can self-refer their child or family to CWC by filling out a Short Breaks registration form and care plan. These forms can also be sent by post if required. If it is agreed that the team can meet your child’s needs, you will be added to the mailing list to receive activity sign up forms.
Find out more at: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/coping-with-chaos
Project is a series of holiday activities for children and young people with disabilities during every school holiday. Sessions include trips to Chessington World of Adventures, Lemur Landings, Splashdown, pantomimes, bowling, swimming and much more. Young people give feedback at the end of every session so their favourite activities can be incorporated into the timetable for the next holidays.
How do I get involved?
Young people aged eight to 18 with disabilities can join Project. If your child has complex needs, please contact the team to discuss in detail and see how they can meet your needs. Access can be gained either through referral from a social worker, or through parent self-referral. If self-referring, a Short Breaks registration form and care plan need to be completed first.
Find out more at: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/project
Diverse Abilities hosts a weekly youth club for young people with special educational needs and disabilities from 13 to 18-years old. The group organises weekly activities on a Wednesday, usually between 7-9pm, including swimming, meals and trips out, movie nights, and themed activities at our centre in West Moors.
How do I get involved?
Parents can self-refer for the youth club by completing the Short Breaks registration form and care plan documents. (Please note, this service is only for those who pay their council tax to Dorset Council)
Find out more at: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/awesome-nights
Recently launched, STARs is for the supportive, thoughtful and resilient SEN siblings of Dorset. It’s tough being an SEN sibling, as well as the usual challenges of growing up, they also often receive less attention from parents and have more worries and responsibilities than their peers. STARs provides them with support and advice, as well as the chance to make friends and have fun.
How do I get involved?
STARs can be accessed through self-referral and a registration form can be completed by clicking here.
Find out more at: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/stars