Play sessions for under 5s run by KIDS
Play sessions for pre-school children who have developmental delays, diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions or disabilities. Sessions are for children under 4, with experienced staff to support children’s learning and development. For more information contact Karen.Rodrigues-Ayers@kids.org.uk
All groups are term time only:
- SupaStars is for children aged 2 to 4 years; Tuesday, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Harmood Children's Centre, 1 Forge Place (off Ferdinand Street), NW1 8DQ
- Amazing Tots is for children aged 3 months to 2 years; Thursday, 10.30am to 12.30pm at JW3, 341-351 Finchley Rd, NW3 6ET
- Central session (trial) is for children aged 3 months to 3 years; 15 June to 20 July 2022 at Hampden Children’s Centre, 80 Polygon Road, NW1 1HQ.
icandance
icandance is a charity which works with children and young people aged four to 25 with complex learning, social, sensory and physical needs - including those with complex medical needs. The charity focuses on what a child can do, rather than what they cannot. Through intensive sessions tailored to the needs of each dancer, their trained team of therapists and disability specialists supports each child and young person to explore how their body moves and feels, enabling them to create connections and discover their potential.
Their weekly sessions for four to 25-year-olds take place during term-time on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. They also offer a Thursday evening class for dancers aged 14 to 25 from 7pm to 8pm.
All sessions take place at one of two sites in Hampstead and last approximately one hour. Their specialist approach is built on three crucial components: wellbeing, creativity and learning. Find out more and contact icandance.
Action for Children
Action for Children run a short breaks service for Camden disabled children aged 5 to 12 from the Rollercoaster Playground, in Cubitt Street.
Action for Children is a charity that provides short breaks to families all around the UK. The staff team that run the Cubitt Street centre has extensive experience with children with SEND, including autism (ASD) and complex health needs, working in schools and play schemes.
Families can access the respite self-assessment template (SART form) by emailing sartcypds@camden.gov.uk. If it is urgent then email dutydct@camden.gov.uk. The number to ring with enquiries about short breaks is 020 7974 3597 / 3975.
At Cubitt Street, they are able to offer your child a purpose-built spacious indoor and outdoor play space. They provide a range of activities for children, which help support their specific learning objectives through play. Currently they are running two services for Camden families:
- an after-school club two days a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 3.30pm to 6pm, and
- a holiday club for five days per week during the holidays, from 10am to 3pm.
PACE Overnights
PACE Overnight Short Breaks services provide adventures with one-to-one support for children with disabilities aged 8 to 18. We hold eight Overnights sessions per year at our secure and fully accessible Fortune Green Play Centre. Sessions typically run from 11am on Saturday until 11am on Sunday and are themed around natural and sensory play, with the children's interests and abilities at the heart of every activity.
For more information visit the PACE website, email overnights@paceforall.com or call Deborah Dixon on 07483 122 882.
PACE GetActive
PACE's GetActive @ The Green is a Saturday programme focusing on physical activities, inclusive sport and active play. This programme is a short breaks service for children with complex needs and disabilities aged 12 to 18. Sessions run from 11am to 3pm on Saturdays during term-time and are usually held at our fully accessible Fortune Green Play Centre, with occasional trips to outside activities.
For more information, visit the PACE website, email c.mahamedally@paceforall.com or call Chanika Mahamedally on 020 7183 5120, ext. 274.
Wac Arts
Wac Arts runs a wide range of programmes for under 18s with special educational needs and disabilities. Please visit the Wac Arts website to find out more or email Info@WacArts.co.uk. There's more info on Wac Short Breaks and Wac Nites below too.
Wac Short Breaks
Wac Arts are based at Hampstead Town Hall, in Belsize Park. They offer a short breaks service for young people resident in/ or care of the borough. The service is provided for those with moderate physical and learning disabilities up to those with profound and multiple learning disabilities. All services are for 11 to 18-year-olds.
Services include:
- After School Club offers sessions in arts and media on Thursday afternoons between 4pm and 6pm
- Saturday Club offers Performing Arts, sport, environmental and fun social activities to get young people ‘out and about’ from 11am to 3pm
- Holiday Activities provision runs over 9 weeks of the year (excluding Christmas holidays) and offers a full programme of performing arts, trips off-site and lots of fun from 10.30am to 3.30pm
- Preparing for Adulthood encourages friendship, social interaction, fun and progression of independence, with trips out into the community
- Advocacy service is designed to represent young people who may have complex and challenging family circumstance, be non-verbal or looked after.
These exciting provisions offer young people with a range of special educational needs and disabilities the opportunity to have fun and socialise. Young people learn new skills and have more say in the decisions that affect them.
Wac Nites
Wac Nites is an inclusion programme specifically designed for those with mild/ moderate learning disabilities. Wac Nites runs on a Wednesday with the following sessions:
- Spark offers tutor-led projects, with a focus on boosting self-confidence and social skills. Ages 9 to 12; from 4.30pm to 6pm
- Ignite uses various art forms to engage young people and lift their skill base. Ages 13 to 17; from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
- Urban motivation is a performing arts based group. Sessions are designed with input from the service users. Adult group 18 to 30 years; from 6..30pm to 8.30pm.
Wac Nites is for young people who do not need one-to-one support and can travel to our building independently or can be supported by family for the purposes of travel.
Wac Nites does carry a small cost to participate. However, bursaries are available.
Leisure activities for children, young people and adults with SEND
On Wednesdays at Kentish Sports Centre, Fleetwell Swimming Club occupy the pool from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and have swimming sessions for disabled people of all ages, including children and families. Find out more about Camden's Better Community Disability Programme.
Camden's Local Offer website
To find out more about services and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents or carers, please visit Camden's Local Offer website.
