Summary
TOFFEE Club Play Activity Sessions for children with multiple support needs at St Mungo’s Academy, Gallowgate, during school holiday periods allowing parents/carers time to themselves to de-stress, look after their own health, or spend quality time and focus on their other children/family members.
What Respite Services for Parents/Carers/Siblings and Children/Young People with Multiple Support Needs did
During the Easter, Summer and October 2017 school holiday periods children and young people with multiple support needs were able to take part in TOFFEE Club fun activity activities at St Mungo’s Academy in the Gallowgate which runs Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. The children were involved with lots of fun activities, making new friends and learning new games. The children have had fun playing, learning, and have been safe and happy. In addition to the above there was a large variety of free play activities available such as, board games, puzzles, computer games, small world play, library/quiet area, etc. The children particularly liked the trips away and were able to go to Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Blair Drummond Safari Park, Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre, Heads of Ayr and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. They also particularly enjoyed ukulele and drums musical sessions with a qualified music Tutor. Parents self-referred for places. Prior to the TOFFEE Club sessions taking place staff took the time to read up on each child’s condition. The staff team try their best to include all children in all activities and experiences provided although where necessary they change or adapt some to suit individual needs. However, they strive to ensure this is done in a manner of respect and inclusion.
Carers have enjoyed a few hours to themselves. Sometimes that was just doing household chores or shopping in peace. Some also met up with family and friends or went out for coffee, joined a Zumba class.
Our project went to plan.
What Geeza Break has learned
The children particularly enjoyed the chance to take part in the outing as this is something they would not normally have the chance to do.
The children enjoyed taking part in activities particularly the computer robotics and this appears to be a perfect interactive session especially for those with limited mobility.
The respite really gives carers a much needed break allowing them to recharge their batteries and supporting those whose health is suffering. Carers feel that the 5 hour session is a good length of time to actually have some time to yourself or take part in an activity or go out or meet friends.
How Geeza Break has benefitted from the funding
The funding from Better Breaks allows us to allocate a specific number of session for children with multiple support need and provide the additional staff resources to give them additional support at the sessions. We also use the funding as a catalyst in securing other funding for the overall Toffee Club project.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
5 children with multiple support needs will have more confidence and improved health and wellbeing by taking part in fun activity sessions
Results
We were able to deliver the 120 sessions to 13 children. The children have taken part in a large variety of free play activities available such as, board games, puzzles, computer games, small world play, library/quiet area, etc. They enjoyed trips away as well as ukulele and drums musical sessions.
Case study
L is a 12 year old boy with Sodium Valproate Syndrome. His mother suffers from epilepsy and the medication she was taking for this affected the foetus in the early stages of her pregnancy. This condition means L has a developmental delay, heart murmur, autistic traits and was born with a cleft palette and he attends an additional needs school. At home L lives with his mum and dad, an older sister and a baby sister; neither of the girls were affected by mums medications. L displays challenging and sometimes aggressive behaviour towards his parents and older sister.
School holiday periods are particularly stressful at home as there are limited resources in the community for children with additional needs therefore the TOFFEE club is vital to the family.
The behaviours displayed at home rarely manifest at the TOFFEE club because everything they do there is structured and L copes better with structure and routine. L can be an extremely affectionate, caring child who can cope with some responsibility and loves to help with the younger children. The TOFFEE club not only reduces his social isolation but helps increase his social skills and gives him an opportunity to mix with children from other additional needs schools as well as from mainstream school and by doing so he is learning positive behaviours and different techniques for dealing with his frustrations and engaging in activities that educate, challenge and inspire.
Outcome
8 Carers and 5 children with multiple support needs will have improved health and well-being
Results
17 Carers reported that their stress levels had reduced whilst their child was at Toffee Club and overall they had more time to themselves which overall improved their health and wellbeing.
Also the 13 children have been able to take part in fun and stimulating activities including arts and crafts, board games and ball games in the gym hall and overall have good fun and make new friends all of which helped improve their health and wellbeing.
Case study
Mum who is a single parent has 2 children. M who is 7 and has cerebral palsy and a speech impairment and an older daughter 12. Mum self referred for support. At the Toffee Club M takes part in lots of activities and the staff ensure that he is included in as many activities as possible. He has especially enjoyed the computer robotic sessions and being able to join in the outings to Blair Drummond and the Sea Life Centre which he would not normally have the opportunity to enjoy. M is always happy when he is able to go to the Toffee Club.
While M is at the TOFFEE Club it allows mum to give the older daughter one to one attention. It enables her to take the time out to plan activities and outings that they can share which brings them closer and keeps their relationship positive. It also allows mum a break from her usual day to day responsibilities and she feel the time out helps her to cope better as a carer while improving her relationships with both children
Outcome
8 Carers will be have the opportunity to access other community resources or peer support groups during their respite sessions
Results
8 Carers attended a Life Skills Course and 6 attended cooking group sessions organised by Geeza Break which as well as learning vital skills also enabled them to have some peer support from others in the same situation. All of the Carers (17) advised that they had been able to meet up with friends or family for lunch and some joined a local Zumba class.
The parents also got to spend some time with each other - reducing stress and helping them to better care for their child/children.
Case study
The case study under outcome 1 also meets outcome 3 as L’s parents/siblings have time outside their caring role while L is attending the TOFFEE Club to do things they can’t do with L (going to the cinema or out for a meal).
Outcome
8 carers will have improved health and wellbeing and be less stressed with the time to look after their own health and wellbeing and spend time with other family members
Results
17 Carers were able to receive regular 5 hour sessions of respite. Several carers reported that the 5 hour respite sessions were a life saver. The Carers felt that they had better routines, more time with siblings and partners. Several enjoyed Zumba sessions, just being able to go out for lunch or have some ME time
Case study
The case study for outcome 2 also meets this outcome.
While M is at the TOFFEE Club it allows mum to give the older daughter one to one attention. It enables her to take the time out to plan activities and outings that they can share which brings them closer and keeps their relationship positive. It also allows mum a break from her usual day to day responsibilities and she feel the time out helps her to cope better as a carer while improving her relationships with both children
Outcome
5 children with additional support needs will have had the opportunity to integrate with other children in fun activity play sessions with a varied choice of activities to take part in during the school holiday periods
Results
13 children have been able to integrate with other children at the Toffee club Sessions. The staff team tried their best to include all children in all activities and experiences provided although where necessary they changed or adapted some to suit individual needs. However, they strived to ensure this was done in a manner of respect and inclusion. The staff team also consulted with the children to see what they would like to do and ensured the choices were incorporated into the programme.
Case study
The referral was made by social work. Mum, (D), has a child (A) who has been assessed by Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). A has been diagnosed as having a learning difficulty. D is struggling to understand the difficulties. The relationship between D and A is very difficult and results in D shouting and A hitting D. D has on occasion used inappropriate physical chastisement.
The Learning disability nurse therapist with CAMHS, is trying to support D to understand A’s disability and the importance of stable routines, consistent parenting and boundaries.
A was socially isolated, quiet, withdrawn and found it very difficult to interact with her peers. This referral was made in the hope of accessing support with respite, routines and parenting support.
Geeza Break was able to offer A three days per week at the TOFFEE Club (10am to 4 pm) over the 2 weeks of the Easter holidays. The number of days each week was flexible, and Mum decided that three days would be appropriate as she was unsure if A would be able to cope within that environment.
The TOFFEE Club takes into consideration suggestions by parents and children with regards to activities and outings. This meant that A was able to decide what activities and trips she wanted to take part in.
A took part in activities such as arts and crafts, games and outings to local parks. A was also in an environment where there were children of similar ages around her.
When Geeza Break first got involved with the family A did not enjoy participating in any physical activities. There was evidence of change in this through the TOFFEE Club and the number of activities she engaged in.
The TOFFEE Club also allowed A to experience new activities within her local area which she then expressed an interest in attending. For example, local parks.
Mum expressed her delight to the Geeza Break worker that A had not only attended the TOFFEE Club but had participated fully, had fun, made new friends and took part in lots of new activities. Mum was not expecting this to happen when she signed A up for the TOFFEE Club.
Overall, it was over positive experience for the family. A is keen to attend the Summer TOFFEE Club and has since linked into local activities such as swimming and local parks.
Mum is also more knowledgeable about appropriate activities for A in the local area.