Focus4SEN is a free-to-attend support group for parents or carers with children who have additional needs such as autism and ADHD or other special educational needs and disabilities.
On Wednesday 9th August, families and volunteers from the group filled up three mini-buses and drove to North Wales for a fun-filled day at the beach.
When the trio of buses arrived at Llandudno, the Mayor and Mayoress of Llandudno, Cllr Greg J T Robbins and Debbie Robbins were there to greet the families and wish them all a fantastic day at the seaside.
The children were bought buckets and spades to make sandcastles with and they were particularly interested in looking in the rock pools, hunting for sea creatures to add to their buckets before safely returning them.
It was a day many of the children and parents don’t get to experience often, particularly due to the stress of an unfamiliar environment, which can make day trips challenging, especially alone, but with the help of the wonderful volunteers and other families, everyone banded together to help each other out.
Lyndsey, a mum who regularly attends the Focus4SEN group, said:
“It was a trip to take away every bad day we’ve had this year. I felt supported, we’re like an extended family.”
Her son, Frankie, aged 5, enjoyed the trip so much, he wanted to get the bus back the next day.
The parents loved seeing their children playing with other like-minded children, getting along and free from judgement.
The day was a huge success, the long trip home was filled with many happy smiles, snoozes and a trip to McDonald’s – playing in the sea all day works up quite the appetite!
The trip to Llandudno was generously funded through The National Lottery Community Fund and VAC – Voluntary and Community, a local charity supporting and strengthening the positive impact of the Voluntary & Community Sector.
Focus4SEN runs fortnightly on Wednesdays, 10 am-11:30 am in Brighouse. To book your place please email nic@focus4hope.org or call 07889 676155.
You can also follow Focus4SEN on Facebook.
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Contact Jordan at jordan.baker@cvac.org.uk