This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
An event organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s short breaks service has proved highly successful.
The team held a fun day for children with additional needs or disabilities at Medina Leisure Centre and more than 600 young people and their families attended.
Information and activities
While the young people were enjoying the entertainment, which included a military tank, a fire engine, football, t-shirt painting and circus skills, parents and carers were able to speak to a variety of organisations on the Island that provide short breaks activities.
Feedback on the day shows many families found the information very important and were able to access a variety of details on different services and activities available for their children.
It is now hoped parents or carers of young people with additional needs or disabilities can now access these services and allow them to take a short break. Short breaks offer opportunities of fun activities for children with additional needs or disabilities after school, weekends and over the school holidays, at the same time offering parents a break from caring for their children.
More services and activities becoming available
Richard Priest, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for children’s services said:
“It was wonderful that so many people turned up to the fun day. Lots of details of short breaks activities were shared and I am sure the take up of activities will increase as a result.
“It has been a very important year for short breaks on the Isle of Wight, with more services and activities becoming available, such as the recently opened wheelchair accessible beach hut in Shanklin and the specially adapted lodge at Nodes Point Holiday Park.
“Parents and carers truly have a wonderful range of services and activities to choose from.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about short breaks can log on to www.iwight.com/shortbreaks, email [email protected] or call (01983) 821999.
