Summary
We provide a varied programme of activities during the school holidays for 17 young people aged 15-18 years of age with learning difficulties. The scheme runs from 10am-3pm on 16 days which include 1 longer excusion on the last day of the summer scheme and a Christmas shopping trip.
What 15-18 scheme did
We were able to run our project in October 2021 for 12 young people and were able to offer a day of cookery and sensory activities as well as a day trip to an indoor bowling venue in Aberdeen and lunch at McDonalds. These days both went well and the young people reported back that they had enjoyed themselves. Because we were unable to run during Easter and the summer of 2021 we decided to offer a short break during February 2022 and one during March 2022 when places were opening up again. During February 6 young people went to the cinema and in March 15 young people went to an Ice Hockey match in Dundee. On both trips they also had lunch at a local restaurant. In particular the ice hockey was very successful with the young people each receiving from the venue a hat and scarf in the local team colours as well as half time hot dogs and drinks. The short breaks were offered to everyone on our list in this age group and everyone who replied that they wanted to attend was able to. Carers shared with us that they were going to take the opportunity to spend time with other family members while their young people were with us and carers were very appreciative of the 2 unexpected trips at the weekend in February and March.
What Angus Special Playscheme has learned
We have realised how much families depend on the respite they receive from our service and how isolated they became during the Covid crisis. This has made us look at how often we operate and after the success of the extra short breaks we were able to offer how this part of the service can be developed.
How Angus Special Playscheme has benefitted from the funding
It allowed us to operate a well run, well staffed service with a varied and interesting programme of events for the young people and respite for carers.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
17 young people with learning difficulties will report having enjoyed attending Scheme, developing friendships and having fun engaging in activities they have chosen. This will be corroborated by carers.
Results
We were able to run during the October holidays in 2021. This meant that the outcome was partially achieved in that we had 12 people attend on 2 days. The first day we remained in the base and did cookery, games, sensory and art and craft activities. This allowed the young people to be in a familiar place with familiar staff supporting them. The young people were given time to talk to each other and staff and become comfortable with being in scheme again. Before the holidays staff had been in contact with carers to update care plans and they were then able to anticipate in particular any anxiety issues that the young people exhibited.
Case study
R is 16 years old and is Autistic. He has been attending the scheme for 8 years and enjoys conversing with staff and the other young people. When R came on the first day, when we had arranged a day of cooking and games in the base. It was evident that R was anxious and this was shown in his rapid speech, his inability to listen and him forgetting about other people’s personal space. A staff member supported R in a quieter area where he was able to take in the room and all the other people in it. He spoke to the staff member about the fact that he remembered everyone from before lockdown and that he was happy to see them saying ‘Oh look there’s B and there is D I know them’. Once he was comfortable he was able to join everyone and take part in the cookery, he spent time catching up with everyone, asking what they had been doing while we had been off. At the end of the day he told his parent that he had had a good day and was glad to be back with his friends. His parent told us that it was nice to see him happy and smiling as he had not coped well with being in the house so much.
Outcome
34 carers of young people with learning difficulties will report having been able to do thing outside of caring which wouldn’t have been possible without respite.
Results
Over 2021 we kept in touch with carers through posts on Facebook and through emails, keeping them up to date with what was happening with the scheme, signposting any information that we felt was relevant to them and answering any queries. Again this year we delivered a Christmas present personally to every child and young person who attends the Playscheme. This also allowed us to speak to each young person and catch up with carers face to face. We also took this opportunity to discuss with carers and young people the possibility of 2 extra day trips before Easter 2022 scheme one in February and one in March. This idea was well received and several suggestions were put forward for consideration. We arranged for a trip to the cinema and lunch out in February and a trip to an Ice Hockey game in March.
Case study
When delivering Christmas presents we spoke to carers, they shared with us how happy they were that we had been able to run in October and how much they were looking forward to the young people being back in scheme in 2022 so that they as carers could get back to having their own time to do things that they found difficult when they were unable to take advantage of respite opportunities.
Outcome
34 carers will report that they feel better supported as a result of our service.
Results
Over 2021 we kept in touch with carers through posts on Facebook and through emails, keeping them up to date with what was happening with the scheme, signposting any information that we felt was relevant to them and answering any queries. Again this year we delivered a Christmas present personally to every child and young person who attends the Playscheme. This also allowed us to speak to each young person and catch up with carers face to face. We also took this opportunity to discuss with carers and young people the possibility of 2 extra day trips before Easter 2022 scheme one in February and one in March. This idea was well received and several suggestions were put forward for consideration. We arranged for a trip to the cinema and lunch out in February and a trip to an Ice Hockey game in March.
Case study
When delivering Christmas presents we spoke to carers, they shared with us how happy they were that we had been able to run in October and how much they were looking forward to the young people being back in scheme in 2022 so that they as carers could get back to having their own time to do things that they found difficult when they were unable to take advantage of respite opportunities.
Outcome
17 young people and their carers will report improved wellbeing
Results
When organising our first scheme back in October 2021 we were aware from contact with carers and several of our young people had been more anxious since lockdown had started to ease and had had problems engaging in anything outside the home. With this in mind we organised the scheme so that the young people were in familiar surroundings with familiar staff and engaged in activities which they had previously done and enjoyed, giving each young person the space and time they needed to become comfortable. This meant that we did cookery, art and craft and games. We also arranged a trip to the Indoor Bowling in Aberdeen which is a favourite of all the young people. We were aware that the time from October 2021 until our next scheme at Easter 2022 was a long time for the young people when they had just returned. So we organised 2 short breaks at a weekend, one to the cinema and lunch at McDonalds and one to an Dundee Stars Ice Hockey game where they played the Sheffield Steelers.
Case study
C is 17 and Autistic, he has anxiety and finds transitions very stressful. He needs to be prepared for what is happening each day and who will support him. On arrival he needs to know everyone that will be there that day and will ask questions about anyone he does not recognise. To help with his and other young people’s anxieties we had previously introduced a welcome group session where staff would discuss with everyone what was planned for the day. C had already been prepared by his carer and staff used this opportunity to make sure that C was aware of and comfortable with the arrangements. Before attending in October we had been made aware that C had been having problems with anxiety when going out and about and especially attending school since lockdown. On C’s first day back to scheme, he came into the room staying close to his carer and looking around anxiously. The member of staff who was supporting him approached and he recognised her. She spoke to him about how good it was to see him and about the familiar set up of the room. After some time he moved with her to a quiet area and was happy for his carer to leave. He stayed in this area until he was comfortable and then began walking around the room talking to other staff and young people. His carer reported to us that he was in a good mood when she picked him up, he was talking about the scheme and wanted to come back for the next day. C also came to the Ice Hockey game that we organised in March which was a positive sign to us that he is feeling secure enough to attend the scheme and he was happy to take part in a discussion in Easter 2022 where he contributed his ideas of activities we could arranged for the Summer scheme.