Unlock a world of joy and inclusivity for your child with disabilities or long-term health conditions through our after-school program. At EnableKids After School Club, we blend fitness and creativity to foster holistic growth. Engage in enriching craft activities, igniting imagination and self-expression. Dive into tailored fitness sessions, promoting healthy habits and confidence. But it's more than just activities - it's about building a supportive community where every child feels valued and empowered. Join us, and watch your child thrive in an environment where abilities shine brightly, and friendships flourish.
What is EnableKids?
EnableKids is an accessible after school fitness and crafts club for children with disabilities and long-term health conditions that runs weekly on Monday afternoons 1600-1800 at New Springs City Church (130 Fulwell Rd, Roker, Sunderland SR6 9QR).
The aim of EnableKids is to enable children with additional needs to interact with new people, create friendships among like-minded people, build confidence, boost physical fitness and empower creative development.
This is a pilot programme that will run for eight sessions - we hope to continue it in the future!
Each session will focus on a specific academic theme!
Upcoming Dates and Themes
10th June 2024 | Nature's Wonders: Explore the beauty of the natural world through crafts inspired by plants, animals, and landscapes. |
17th June 2024 | Under the Sea Adventure: Dive deep into the ocean with sea-themed crafts, discovering the wonders of marine life and conservation. |
24th June 2024 | Art Through the Ages: Journey through art history with crafts inspired by famous artists, movements, and styles, fostering appreciation for artistic expression. |
1st July 2024 | Space Odyssey: Blast off into outer space with crafts featuring stars, planets, and aliens, sparking curiosity about the universe. |
8th July 2024 | Around the World: Travel the globe through crafts representing different cultures, traditions, and landmarks, promoting diversity and global awareness. |
15th July 2024 | STEM Explorers: Engage in hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities, sparking interest in innovation and problem-solving. |
22nd July 2024 | Heroes and Heroines: Celebrate real-life and fictional heroes through crafts inspired by courageous individuals who inspire positive change. |
29th July 2024 | Magical Kingdom: Enter a realm of fantasy and imagination with crafts inspired by fairy tales, wizards, and mythical creatures from around the world! |
Who is EnableKids for?
EnableKids welcomes 20 children per session to come together for a vibrant and enriching experience. Our inclusive environment ensures that every participant feels valued and engaged, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. And here's the best part: attendance is entirely free!
We believe that every child deserves access to quality programmes regardless of financial barriers.
Should you feel inclined, you have the option to contribute to our group through donations, either in person with cash or conveniently online via our website. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps support our mission and ensures the continuation of our activities. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support in helping us make a positive impact in our community.
This service will be for children with SEN disabilities, physical disabilities, children with complex disabilities and disabled children who are at high risk of exclusion from school. The group also welcomes children who are at the pre-diagnosis stage.
EnableKids' Protective Measures
The sessions will be delivered by qualified Advance DBS staff, volunteers and trainers with a variety of certifications including Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding in a Learning Environment, Autism Awareness and ADHD Awareness.
It will be a safe space for parents to choose if they want to stay or to drop off their children.
What happens at EnableKids?
The two hour period will be broken up into four activities:
Activity 1 | 40 minute Inclusive Child-Focused Fitness | After being welcomed and oriented, children will be invited to participate in fitness activities and games using accessible equipment and sensory materials. If a child is not feeling up to this activity, a member of staff will be manning the creative craft station for the duration of this activity. |
Activity 2 | 20 minute Healthy Snacks and Drinks | Food and drink will be available to children and adults present. |
Activity 3 | 45 minute Learning Crafts | The children will be read a story before being invited to partake in a range of themed crafting options. |
Activity 4 | 15 minute sensory circuit | The sensory circuit will help reduce overstimulation at home post-club. |
Activity One
The fitness options available will vary from accessible sports, to active games, to dancing depending on the available trainer. The activity will be related to the theme and will always be announced at the time bookings open so you and your children know exactly what to expect.
We often work with the wonderful Ashe from Danceversity who has an excellent community reputation for her inclusive dance programmes and events.
There will be a crafting station that will open 10 minutes into the activity so children who become overwhelmed or overstimulated will have the ability to choose a quite task instead.
Activity Two
Water, fruits and vegetables will be available to all people who attend, adult and child, free of charge.
Juice, teas, coffees and other foods will be available for a small fee to help fund the group.
Alternatively, if you'd like us to provide a healthy pack-lunch for your child, this will be available to add to your booking for £5.00.
Activity Three
Get ready for an enriching experience where e stories come to life and creativity knows no bounds! As the children gather eagerly, they're not just about to hear a story; they're embarking on a journey of discovery and learning.
Through carefully selected stories that align with that session's educational themes, they'll delve into captivating tales that ignite their imagination and spark their curiosity. With each turn of the page, they'll encounter characters, settings, and plotlines that ignite their curiosity and expand their knowledge.
There will be cosy corners filled with cushions and fidget toys, where children are free to move about and let their imaginations soar as enchanting stories unfold before their eyes.
But the adventure doesn't end with the last page, it's time to roll up their sleeves and get crafty. Armed with newfound inspiration, they'll engage in hands-on activities that reinforce key concepts and foster critical thinking skills. From creating art projects that reflect the story's themes to conducting science experiments inspired by its mysteries, every craft becomes a gateway to deeper understanding.
From exploring the depths of the ocean to blasting off into outer space, every Crafty Storytime Adventure is a chance for children to learn, create, and discover in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Activity Four
A sensory circuit is a form of sensory integration intervention. It involves a sequence of physical activities that are designed to alert, organise and calm children with SEN disabilities. The sensory circuit aims to facilitate sensory processing to help children regulate and organise their senses in order to achieve the ‘just right’ or optimum level of alertness.
Sensory circuits are designed to start with alerting activities, move to an organising phase and then finally to a calming phase. Doing the activities in the recommended order is vital. The right order results in a well-regulated, happy child. The wrong order may well result in a dysregulated, upset or irritable child and have the opposite effect.
Alerting
The aim of this section is to provide vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation within a controlled setting.
Example activities: Jumping/bouncing on a trampoline, skipping, running, rolling and bouncing on a yoga ball, animal walks, step ups, star jumps etc.
Organising
This section includes activities that require motor sensory processing, balance and timing. These activities help improve focus and attention. The child needs to organise their body, plan their approach and do more than one thing at a time in sequential order.
Example activities: Balancing, climbing, log rolls, throwing to a target, wobble boards, weaving in and out of cones, throwing and catching, jumping through hoops etc.
Calming
The calming activities are very important as they provide input to ensure that children leave the circuit and return to their homes calm, centred and ready for the day ahead.
Example activities: Proprioceptive and deep pressure e.g. yoga ball squashes, lying under a weighted blanket, linear swinging or rocking, heavy muscle work e.g. crawling through a tunnel, press ups etc.
Accessibility Features
The site has ramped access, level floors, wide doors and an accessible toilet.
All our crafts, messy play, and activities are designed with accessibility in mind - with adaptations and specific provisions so it is inclusive for all.
We will also have a sensory tent available in a quite space for children to use as they require throughout the session. The sensory tent is used at all our groups, programmes and events for children with additional needs.
Crafting Sustainability: Exploring Eco-Friendly Materials for a Greener Future
We will predominantly use natural and recycled materials.
The preference for using natural and recycled materials in crafts stems from several factors:
Environmental Awareness: Our thoughtfully selected natural and recycled materials, curated to inspire creativity and environmental stewardship! Our commitment to using eco-friendly materials stems from a deep understanding of their impact on our planet. By choosing natural and recycled materials, we reduce the demand for new resources, conserving energy and minimising pollution.
Sustainability: Embrace sustainability as you explore textures, colours, and patterns found in nature, transforming ordinary crafts into extraordinary experiences. Natural and recycled materials are more sustainable options because they can be replenished or reused without causing significant harm to the environment, unlike many synthetic materials which are derived from fossil fuels and may not be biodegradable.
Creativity: Let your imagination run wild as you navigate the challenges of working with unconventional materials, sparking innovation and fostering a sense of resourcefulness. Revel in the beauty of imperfections and irregularities, as they add character and charm to every creation.
Book your place!
Join us at EnableKids and let your child thrive in a supportive, fun-filled atmosphere where possibilities are endless and friendships blossom. Contact us today to reserve your child's spot in our next session!
Thank you to Merkur!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Merkur Group for their generous support in funding the equipment for this group. Their dedication to enhancing the experiences of children in our community is truly commendable, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you, Merkur Group, for your invaluable contribution to our programme, enabling us to create meaningful and enriching experiences for children with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Your kindness and generosity are sincerely appreciated.
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