New group for families with children with disabilities or additional needs
A new family drop-in group has been launched in south Shropshire to support families with children up to five years old with disabilities or additional needs.
Play Pals is being held as part of the wide range of services offered by Shropshire Council’s Sure Start children’s centre services.
The group is running on the second Saturday of each month, from 10am to 12 noon, at the Sure Start Children’s Centre, Shrewsbury Road in Church Stretton. The next session takes place on Saturday 10 March 2012.
The group is also open to parents and carers of children up to five years old who have any concerns about their child’s development and provides an opportunity for families to enjoy a variety of activities together, while meeting other families.
Two Portage Play trained children’s centre support workers will be available during the sessions to support children’s learning and development through play, in addition to offering information, advice and support to families.
Other professionals, from organisations including the Portage Service, Autism West Midlands and the Parent Partnership will visit the sessions, and other visitors may be arranged in consultation with parents.
The group links with existing services, including the Empathy Group, which is a social group for families of children with disabilities or additional needs that meets in south Shropshire.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:
“This new Play Pals group will give families with children with disabilities or additional needs a great opportunity to meet with other families, take part in fun activities, socialise and share experiences. The group also provides support, advice and information to parents and carers to support them and their child’s well-being.
“This is another example of how our children’s centres are supporting local families, and ensuring that we deliver the right services that are tailored to their needs.”
David Evans, a Shropshire councillor for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, said:
“I welcome this new session for families with disabilities and additional needs. This will be an asset to Church Stretton and the rural area. I fully support the group which will also add to the quality of life for these families.”
Children’s centres offer services and support for families with children under five years old across the county, including early years services and child and family health services.
For more information about the Play Pals group, please contact children’s centre services on 01694 723465 or for more information on children’s centres go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/childrenscentres.nsf
Other Play Pals groups are available across the county, in Oswestry, Market Drayton and Shrewsbury. For details about the Oswestry group telephone 01691 656513; for the Shrewsbury and Market Drayton groups the contact number is 01743 452400.
Further information:
The Parent Partnership is a service offering advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs. For further information go to http://www.parentpartnership-shropshireandtelford.org.uk/
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families. For more details go to http://www.portage.org.uk/
The charity Autism West Midlands is the leading provider of specialist autism care and support in the region. For further details go to http://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/
