The Bridge Saturday SEND Active Play Fundraiser

Empowering Children with Special Needs and Disabilities

THE HISTORY :

Over two years on from when it was first set up, the Bridge SEND active play club has continued to welcome families with children with special needs and disabilities to our unique and inclusive setting. To date, we have over 100 families registered with us and with the support of Access Sport we regularly publicise upcoming sessions and specific events at the club.

It was established in May 2021 with a mission to empower children with special needs and disabilities by creating a supportive environment that fosters inclusivity, understanding, and personal development. This mission remains the same today and our club sessions have continued to take place on Saturdays during term time, allowing children to participate in various activities, games, and sensory-based imaginative themes tailored to their unique needs. Through these engagements, we strive to enhance their cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities, enabling them to embrace life's challenges with confidence.

SUMMARY OF NEED:

At the Bridge, we provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where children with special needs can attend without pre-booking, be themselves, and feel empowered through inclusive and specialist sports and dance activities. Our club is one of the few places where families can gather regularly, share experiences, and form strong connections with others in similar situations.

Our SEND active play club seeks financial support to continue providing a much-needed haven for families and children with special needs and disabilities in our community. With your generous assistance, we aim to sustain and expand our services to offer more opportunities for growth, learning, and social interaction for these deserving children and their siblings.

WHAT THE CLUB PROVIDES:

1. Inclusivity: We believe in creating an atmosphere where every child feels valued and accepted. Our sessions are designed by trained staff who know how to accommodate individual needs, ensuring each child can participate and contribute to activities to the best of their ability.

2. Family Bonding: Families with children who have special needs often face unique challenges. Our club acts as a support network, facilitating connections among parents, caregivers, and siblings. These interactions provide emotional and practical support, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

3. Skill Development: Our team of dedicated professionals (Tiptoes and Tappers and Access Sport) work closely with individual children, tailoring activities to promote cognitive, social, and motor skill development. Through play-based learning, children can enhance their communication, problem-solving, and self-expression abilities.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT GOING:

Sport and physical activity bring people together and no-one should be excluded from taking part. Disabled people are half as likely to participate in sport and physical activity compared to their non-disabled peers, primarily due to a lack of opportunity, inclusivity and accessibility. Covid-19 meant many of these families needed to shield and had little or no space or equipment to be physically active. This drastically affected many disabled children's physical and emotional wellbeing and further isolated them and their families from opportunities that previously existed.

FUNDRAISING GOALS:

To continue and expand the impact of the SEND active play club we seek to raise £10,000. This will enable us to:

1. Sustain the existing club sessions and cover operational costs.

2. Expand our program offerings to include additional therapeutic and educational resources.

3. Enhance staff training to provide the highest level of support and care.

Please help us by making a financial contribution that will directly impact the lives of these children with special needs and disabilities, creating a lasting positive change for them and their families.

Thank you for your support.

The Bridge Team xx