Summary
Project provided group activity for 13 children and young people from ages 5 to 18 with multiple disabilities and from BME communities. The activities were designed to be stimulating and fun to improve the health and wellbeing . There carers received break from their caring role.
What Apna After School Club did
Children and young people attended the After School club one day a week. The activity took place at Apna project however there were a number of visits to local attractions. 13 children and young people from BME community participated in the activity while their carers got short break from their caring responsibilities. Carers spent their time with their other children, went out with friends and just relaxed while children and young people were attending the club. Project employed volunteers and offer a number of resources such as art and craft materials and worked with local agencies such as Glasgow Life to deliver fitness activities. The highlights were when children and young people visited Science center where they learned things abut space etc. They also enjoyed dancing event when Glasgow Life delivered a dance based activity to improve physical health. Children and young people also enjoyed the swimming sessions and were very happy in the water. All the activities and outings were well planned and there was a very comprehensive risk assessment was in place for outings therefore everything went as it was planned.
What Barnardos has learned
Project enabled Apna to learn about the needs of service users in details and also how to meet best way to meet the specific needs. With this funding project was able to offer places to those families who didn't have any support or break Partnership with Glasgow Life worked well as they delivered fitness activities free of charge.
How Barnardos has benefitted from the funding
The Apna project has established itself as a very credible project for BME community. All carers said that the project has good understanding of cultural needs and made sure that children and young people's cultural needs like providing halal food and celebrating their festivals. are met. Glasgow Life has become the existence of the project in the community and are happy to deliver activities to those children and young people who don't have any support.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Children and young people are happy and their health is improved.
Results
This outcome was achieved by organizing a number of fitness activities like dance session and swimming. Children and young people were also encouraged to eat healthy food like fruits. Carers reported that they found children more active and happy.
Case study
K K is overweight and likes eating white break with a lot of butter. She likes dancing a lot therefore she enjoyed the dancing session very much and made good effort to eat fruits because other children were eating fruits. Her mum was very surprised the K had fruits. She said that she will also give K fruits at home and cut down her white bread intake.