The new activity sessions are designed to cater for the needs of SEND families and will enable children and young people to have fun, make new friends and learn new skills outside of school or college.

The successful grant funding recipients and their activities/workshops are as follows:

Dancefest Jigsaw Youth – Inclusive youth dance sessions for young people with SEND

Herefordshire Autism and Neuro Diverse Support (H.A.N.D.S Hub)  – Coding workshops for neurodivergent children and young people.

Hereford Community Farm (HCF) – SEND family days and teen workshops.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust – ‘WildPlay Thinks Differently’ woodland sessions for children and young people with SEND.

Little Play World – Pop-up role play sessions for children with SEND.

Look UK – Family days out for children and young people with visual impairment.

Wordful Speech and Language Therapy Service – Speech and language focussed stay and play sessions for pre-school children.

More information about the activity sessions is available on the providers’ websites.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“Congratulations to all of the successful grant applicants. We’re delighted to fund these activities so that SEND families can take part in inclusive fun activities in a safe and supportive learning environment.”

Nikki Stroud, Little Play World Proprietor, added:

“I am so grateful that Little Play World has been selected to receive funding for the SEND sessions. Seeing how much difference this can make, not only to the children who are having fun, but also for parents who are able to take their children and feel it is a safe space for them to relax and enjoy watching their children develop.”