Short breaks for disabled children and young people aged 18 and under
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Comfort Zone Holiday Scheme (Mapledown school students only)
Age range: 11 to 19 (until child turns 19)
A range of activities including cooking, arts and crafts, music and sports. The Comfort Zone holiday scheme is only available to children and young people attending Mapledown School. Please apply via the Short Breaks application form if you wish your child/young person to be considered for funding.
Please note that Comfort Zone is not a service directly commissioned by Barnet. If you wish to use this service, please ensure that it meets the needs of your child/young person.
Community Focus Inclusive Arts Centre
Creative arts projects for ages 10 - 18 years old lasting 3 days during school holidays from 10.30am - 3pm, delivered by professional artists, group of approximately 12 young people per project. Sessions include creative activities such as fine art, dance, drama, photography, music, film making, gardening and ceramics.
Community Focus also provide day trips at weekends to cultural venues e.g. visiting a museum, watching a theatre production or attending an arts event.
There are around 6 trips over the year, with 9 young people per trip.
Contact
Website: Community Focus
IPOP
Age range: 18 and under for Short Breaks
IPOP provides 1:1 support playworkers to enable your child or young person to attend a range of mainstream play and leisure activities.
The service also provides support and information to families of disabled children and young people via coffee mornings.
Contact
Website: IPOP
Noah’s Ark
Age range: 18 and under
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is a community-based hospice service providing support for children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families.
Contact
Website: Noah's Ark Hospice
Norwood 2gether stay and play group
Age range: 5 and under
The 2gether group is a weekly stimulating and fun session for parents and children to learn through play. Children are able to explore their creativity through arts and crafts as well as cooking activities and themed play. A member of our Children and Family Support team are on hand should parents have concerns around parenting or their child’s development. Please note that spaces are limited, and booking is essential.
Dates: Tuesdays starting 5 March (term time only) at 1.30pm to 3pm
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £5 per session (buy 5 sessions, get a 6th free)
Contact: Norwood
Norwood homework club
Age range: 3 to 6 years
An after-school club, where children in school years 3-6 who are struggling to focus, or complete their homework independently, receive expert guidance and support from experienced and dedicated teachers in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
When: Thursdays 11 January – 28 March 2024 (term time only), 4.30-6pm
Where: Kennedy Leigh Family Centre
Cost: £10 per session, to include light refreshments
Contact
Website: www.norwood.org.uk
Norwood Unity short breaks
Age range: 5 to 18
Unity provides a range of short breaks that enable disabled children and young people to explore new opportunities and have fun whilst broadening their social networks and promoting independence. We provide inclusive play opportunities for children and young people, enabling them to take part in activities and to go out on trips whilst being fully supported by a dedicated and skilled staff team.
The scheme runs at The Kennedy Leigh Centre, Hendon, NW4. Please note that this scheme is open to all faiths, but that The Kennedy Leigh Centre is a Kosher building and as such only Kosher food is permitted on these premises.
Contact
Website: www.norwood.org.uk
Norwood First Steps Short Breaks
Age range: pre-school children (16 months to 5 years) with complex health needs and life limiting conditions including:
- speech & language, mobility and communication difficulties
- congenital heart conditions
The group offers parents a break from caring whilst a trained and experienced team provides one to one support. Children will have the opportunity to:
- engage in fun play activities (arts, crafts, cooking, music, indoor/ outdoor play, messy play)
- socialise and interact with other children
- gain greater confidence
- develop independence
- every child will enjoy a healthy snack and a well-balanced lunch
- 1:1 support provided for every child
Cost: You may be eligible for funding through your Local Authority (Short Breaks). There is an additional £5 parental contribution cost per session.
Contact
Website: www.norwood.org.uk
Oakleigh School after school club
(children attending Oakleigh school only)
Age range: 5 to 11
After school play scheme with fun activities; arts, crafts, cookery, music, dance and drama.
Weekdays after school.
Dates: Sessions after school, term time throughout the school year, 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Contact
Website: www.oakleighschool.co.uk
OOPS (Oakleigh Opportunities Play Scheme)
For children attending Oakleigh school or Acorn assessment centre only
Age range: 3 to 11
A range of activities including cooking, arts and crafts, music and sports. This play scheme is only available to children attending Oakleigh School or the Acorn Assessment Centre. Please apply via the Short Breaks application form if you wish your child to be considered for funding.
Dates: Easter 2021, Summer 2021
Contact
Website: www.oakleighschool.co.uk
Resources for Autism
Holiday play scheme
Age range: 8 to 18
Autism specific scheme with groups split by age and ability. Opportunities for both in house and outing based fun with autism trained staff. One to one support always available. Activities include arts and crafts, music and dance, yoga and relaxation, sport and high energy action, swimming, museum, theatre and park trips.
Contact
Website: www.resourcesforautism.org.uk
Youth & Weekend Clubs
Age range: 8 to 18
Autism specific scheme with groups split by age and ability. Opportunities for both in house and outing based fun with autism trained staff. One to one support is always available. Activities include arts and crafts, music and dance, yoga and relaxation, and sport.
All funded places at these clubs are currently full. If you wish to apply to go on a waiting list for a funded place, please complete the Short Breaks on-line application form. Alternatively you can contact Resources for Autism and self fund a place.
Dates: Term time 38 weeks per year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Contact
Website: www.resourcesforautism.org.uk
Northway School
Age range: 4 to 11
Northway's Playscheme (Happy Days) is open to school age children 4-11 years. Children must attend Northway School and if spaces are available, some will be offered to the community by special arrangement. Children who attend can make full use of the school's facilities including swimming pool, drama studio, large indoor hall (including all equipment and trampoline), sensory room, full equipped kitchen. The outdoor area includes specialist play equipment. All creative and sensory equipment and resources are made available in the playrooms. Children are supervised by staff experienced in supporting children with Special Educational Needs.
The facility is available for one week during the Easter Holidays and for two weeks during the Summer Holidays, 9am to 3pm.
Contact
Further information can be found on their website or by contacting:
Michael Taylor or Jill Smith
Telephone: 020 8359 5450
Website: Northway