Leisure
Radar runs a national key scheme, which provides disabled
people and their carers with a key which opens all the toilets for the
disabled throughout the UK. The keys cost £3.50 each and a directory of
accessible toilets is also available at a cost of £10.00 including
postage.
Radar keys can also be obtained from Bracknell Forest Borough
Council. Enquiries should be made either to Time Square or
Easthampstead House.
Many leisure attractions throughout the UK offer
concessionary tickets, either for disabled children or for the adult
accompanying a disabled child. It is always worth enquiring when
purchasing a ticket, but if the disability is not clearly evident you
may be asked to provide proof such as an allowance book.
The aim of the COG project is to involve our community in ensuring that
children and young people aged 5 to 19 don’t miss out on the chance to
experience organised out-of-school activities due to their particular
needs. Many of these barriers can be overcome by the individual support
of a trained and supported volunteer aged 16+.
We can offer support at organised activities such as youth clubs, sports
clubs, Brownies/Beavers etc. With the agreement of all parties, this can
be extended to offer support for activities such as playing in the park,
swimming, going to the cinema, window shopping etc.
All volunteer placements are subject to references, a Criminal Records
Bureau disclosure and a training period before they are matched to a
young person. The child/young person and volunteer then spend time
getting to know one another before they begin to visit the chosen
activities. If there are difficulties or if you, your child or the
volunteer feel that the match is unsuitable, then the process will begin
again.
Feedback will be obtained from all concerned (families, children/young
people, volunteers and the activity providers) in order to ensure that
we are providing a useful and workable service.
If you would like more information about the project then please contact
Viv Akerman on 0118 957 6686, 07770 738426 or e-mail cog@childrensinfo.org
CEACARD
PO BOX 199
Deeside
CH5 9BW
| Tel: |
0845 123 1292 |
| Fax: |
0845 123 1296 |
| E-mail: |
info@ceacard.co.uk |
| Website: |
www.ceacard.co.uk |
This is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is
entitled to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema.
To apply for the card you need to meet one of the following criteria:
- Be in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance
- Be a registered blind person
The card is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. Application forms
are available from participating cinemas or visit www.ceacard.co.uk
A processing fee of £5.50 is chargeable per card. This is to be sent
along with the completed application.
Creative Arts
Andrea McCombie-Parker, Chief Executive Officer
The Ark
Ravenswood Village
Nine Mile Road
Crowthorne
Berkshire
RG45 6BQ
The Ark is a charitable organisation that runs programmes of
multi sensory and arts workshops for children and adults with varying
degrees of learning and physical disabilities and sensory impairment.
It offers individuals an infinite variety of experiences across the arts
to motivate, encourage and inspire expression, communication and
interaction within a safe and stimulating environment.
Most activities take place in a purpose built studio in the grounds
of Ravenswood at Crowthorne. Other projects take place at
locations in the community. The Ark also works in partnerships with
other local groups - the most recent includes a nightclub project with
Ravenswood Day Opportunities.
Paul Wilkinson
33 Herondale
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 7ZT
InnerSense, based at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, is an
exciting new venture providing theatrical multi-sensory workshops for
people with severe and challenging disabilities in Berkshire and the
surrounding area.
These creatively inspiring workshops take place in a specially adapted
studio, within which a theatrically themed environment is constructed using
props, costumes and musical instruments. Participants are then
encouraged to explore the space, in their own way and on their own terms
with highly skilled facilitation from a professional team of artists,
musicians, dancers, actors and visual artists, each trained and
experienced in the field of arts and disability.
Our experience shows that this work has profound and positive life
changing effects on people with severe learning disabilities: people who
have never spoken find their voice, people who live in their own worlds
engage positively and creatively as members of a group, someone who
rarely moves will reach up to catch a feather and dance, someone else,
usually unmotivated, locked in a world of silence, responds with
laughter and song to a character, projections or a lighting change.
Contact Paul Wilkinson for more details.
The Regal Picturehouse
2 Baroma Way
Henley on Thames
RG9 2BZ
| Tel: |
0871 704 2064, 08707 551245 |
The Regal Picturehouse runs special screenings approximately every 6 weeks, especially
for people with autism (and other similar severe learning disabilities), and their families
and carers. The soundtrack is turned down a little and low lights left on. Making a noise
or moving around is absolutely fine. The bar will be open after the film for the chance to
chat and socialise. Tickets cost £2, booking is recommended.
Create run interactive music events for disabled children and their
families (particularly suitable for children with communication,
learning or sensory integration difficulties) called creative:space.
Contact: Jackie Thornton
2 Melbourn Villas
Terrace Road North
Binfield
RG42 5HT
Jo Jingles offers classes for children aged 6 months to 5
years, providing a fun and creative introduction to music. Children
with special needs are welcomed if they are suited to participating in a
group activity.
The Point
Skimped Hill
Bracknell
| Tel: |
01344 868856 |
| Fax: |
01344 868854 |
The cinema has a lift, seating and toilets for adults and
children with a physical disability. Specialist hearing facilities are
also available. An adult accompanying an adult or child with a
disability is eligible for a free ticket. Please make enquiries at the
box office.
Play
Nine Mile Ride
Bracknell
RG12 7QW
There are both indoor and outdoor activities available at The
Look Out, with full facilities for people with disabilities. The nature
of the resources on offer, however, may prevent some physically disabled
children accessing everything. For details please contact the centre.
Contact: Karen Hicklin
Library
Service Yard B
Bracknell
RG12 1BA
The toy library is open on Saturday mornings from 10am to
12pm, every week apart from public holiday weekends. A wide selection
of toys is available including special needs toys. Toys can be borrowed
for up to 4 weeks at a time.
Cost: £5 per family per year
Reduced membership for families receiving statutory benefits.
If families with a special needs child would like to suggest a toy they would
especially like us to stock, which would be suitable for other members, we are
happy to consider purchasing such items.
Bath Road
Taplow
Maidenhead
SL6 0PR
This Playground is a registered charity providing 2.5 acres of indoor and outdoor play
facilities specifically geared for children and adults with special needs and their
families. The Playground is open throughout the year. Please telephone for
opening times and note that booking is essential.
Yateley Road
Sandhurst
Berkshire
GU47 8JQ
This has an animal park where children can feed the animals
and there are several lakes for walking around. The lakes are not
formally designed for wheelchair access but the animal area has tarmac
with low level fencing and is suitable for wheelchairs. The indoor
adventure playground is mainly geared for the physically able child but
it has ball ponds and some activities which may be suitable for certain
types of disability. Please contact the park for further information
about this, the opening times and charges.
Bracknell Sport and Leisure Centre
Bagshot Road
Bracknell
RG12 9SE
| Tel: |
01344 868383 |
| Website: |
www.whooshplaycentre.com |
Whoosh is a soft play and party centre, run by a private company
within the sports centre. There is a session for children with
special needs and their siblings, of all ages, on a Wednesday evening
from 6pm - 7.30pm. The cost is £3.30 per child. Birthdays
and special occasions can be celebrated during this session. For
further details of this, and other opening hours, contact the Whoosh
office.
2b London Road
Bagshot
GU19 5HN
Children’s Indoor Playworld and Activity Centre opened Dec 2006. Contact them for
details including organised activities for special needs groups.
STEPS is a charity that provides a FREE service to profoundly disabled
children between the ages of 0 and 16 who are unable to play with
mainstream toys. Each toy is specially adapted by attaching an external
switch which is activated by the child blowing, sucking, bashing,
squeezing or pressing etc. Switches are tailored to suit the needs of
the individual child and are sent on a long-term loan with a specially
adapted toy. The toy is changed every three months.
The service is entirely free, including the toys, the switches and the
return postage. There are no costs or hidden charges - parents need
only provide batteries for the toys. To see a selection of toys that
are provided by STEPS, visit www.stepscharity.org.
It is easy to register and there are no forms to fill in. Simply call
STEPS on 01803 311322 to discuss the individual needs of your child.
STEPS are happy to receive calls from professionals on behalf of parents, but
they must have the parent’s consent before they can register a child.
Sports Activities
Bracknell Sport and Leisure Centre
Bagshot Road
Bracknell
RG12 9SE
Edgbarrow Sports Centre
Grant Road
Crowthorne
RG45 7JL
Sandhurst Sports Centre
Sandhurst School
Sandhurst
GU47 4SR
All the Bracknell Forest Sports Centres offer concessionary
charges to children with disabilities. For details of these please
contact the centres. If a disabled child requires extra assistance from
an adult then that adult is admitted free. The swimming pool at
Bracknell has specific facilities for those with physical disabilities.
Private swimming lessons are available and some teachers have experience
of teaching children with special needs. There are now 3 members of staff based at BLC, whose
particular responsibility is liaising with people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities,
mental health problems and older people, called the Well-being and Leisure Team.
Classes available (all for people aged 14+):
Monday: table tennis 11am - 12 noon £2.50, table tennis 4pm - 5pm £2.50
Tuesday: ten pin bowling at the Point 2pm - 3pm £2.25
Wednesday: table tennis 1.40pm - 2.30pm £2.50, boccia 4.30pm - 5.30pm £3.20
Thursday: keep fit 1pm - 1.30pm £2.50, badminton 2pm - 3pm £2.50
Friday: boccia 10.15am - 11.15am £2.00, boccia 11.30am - 12.30am £2.00, badminton 1.30pm - 3pm £2.50
In addition to these activities, they arrange trips for groups of people aged 18+ to see football
matches, basketball matches, and theatre shows, as well as swimming groups, snooker and ten pin bowling
evenings. They also run football sessions, and as this is a contact sport, they are for people
aged 16+. A seated T'ai Chi course is run by the Leisure Centre, and this is an adult class.
The Well-being and Leisure Team run regular multi-activity sessions, which are often for people aged
11+, so children are welcome to attend but they must be accompanied by an adult. For additional
information, to join the mailing list, or for a copy of their monthly activities calendar please contact
the WBLT on 07887 632627.
Amen Corner
Bracknell
RG12 8TN
Children with disabilities are welcome at all public skating
sessions. One adult is admitted free with every disabled child. On
Mondays and Fridays, between 10am and 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm, rink
attendants will take two wheelchairs onto the ice. During school
holidays this service may not be possible if the rink is exceptionally
busy, as safety considerations have to be taken into account. There are
concessionary charges for children with disabilities.
The ski slope is not equipped to cater for children or adults
with physical disabilities, but those with poor co-ordination and/or
learning difficulties can be accommodated in the ski school classes, by
prior arrangement. Please contact the centre to discuss individual
circumstances.
Aldershot, Hampshire
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (for skiing advice, and an adaptive ski programme in Colorado USA)
DSUK (formerly British Ski Club for the Disabled) organises ski
sessions for physically disabled skiers, once a month on a Sunday
morning at Alpine Snowsports Ski Centre in Aldershot.
Unfortunately, the High Wycombe slope was closed due to a fire in
2005. Redevelopment is in the planning stage with the ski
centre looking to reopen in September 2009. The redevelopment
will include the dry ski slope, a snow dome and ice rink.
Visit the website for further details.
Gallwey Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 2DD
Alpine Snowsports has special equipment for disabled skiers,
which is used by BSCD once a month. Their own instructors are not
trained to teach physically disabled skiers but children with learning
difficulties may be accommodated depending on their individual
circumstances. Private lessons are also available for children with
learning difficulties. In addition, the centre has “donuts”, which are
large tyres, used for sliding down the slopes. These are suitable for
children with a variety of disabilities, learning and physical.
Contact the centre for further discussion and information about opening
times and charges.
Abbey Barn Lane
High Wycombe
Bucks
HP10 9QQ
This centre was closed due to a fire in 2005. Keep checking
the website for future reopening.
Wellington Road
Wokingham
RG40 2AF
The Carnival Pool welcomes disabled swimmers, and offers a
free ticket to an adult accompanying a disabled swimmer. There are
disabled changing facilities, a hoist and trained staff. There is a
dedicated session 10.30am – 12noon every Wednesday. Tickets for this are £1
which includes the disabled swimmer and carer.
Nine Mile Ride
Bracknell
RG12 7JQ
There are concessionary rates for disabled swimmers and the
accompanying adult goes free. Telephone for opening times and prices.
Harmanswater Swimming Pool
Harmanswater Road
Bracknell
Please contact me at:
17 Llangar Grove
Crowthorne
RG45 6EA
Classes are held for small groups of children and adults.
Instructors get into the water to help timid swimmers. Children with
special needs are welcomed if they can cope with the group environment.
Magnet Leisure Centre
Holmanleaze
Maidenhead
SL6 8AW
This is a swimming club for people with learning disabilities
from the age of five years upwards. The club aims to participate at
Amateur Swimming Association competitions. They meet on Saturdays from
5pm - 6pm. Swimmers need to join the club and there may be a waiting
list. Please contact Erin for further details.
Stoke Park
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 1TU
This is a registered charity providing play and leisure
opportunities for disabled children and young people. There is a range
of activities during term time and the holidays for young people up to
the age of 25 years.
Currently Disability Challengers operates in and around Surrey including a
new purpose built play centre in Farnham. For details of the nearest
available opportunities please contact the Leisure Development Team by
telephone or e-mail, as above.
Contact: Tony Pudner, Director
Oakwood Centre
Waterloo Road
Wokingham
RG40 3DA
This is a day and residential activity centre run by a
Christian charity, providing facilities and instruction for local young
people aged eight to eighteen years. There is a wide range of
activities available including climbing, abseiling, shooting, fencing,
archery, mountain biking, mountain boarding, low ropes, high ropes and
team building. The centre can be booked for large and small groups.
The director is happy to discuss accommodating young people with
disabilities, though at present the facilities for physical disabilities
are somewhat limited. These are likely to change, however, as the
centre expands. For further information contact Tony Pudner.
Contact: Carol Gregory
Unit 6A Old Wokingham Road
Crowthorne
Berkshire
The club provides gym and trampoline classes for children
from the age of 18 months. Parents remain with the children until they
are four years old, and have to remain in the building until the
children are five years. Children with disabilities are welcomed. If a
disabled child requires one to one assistance, one such child can be
accommodated per class. More than one disabled child is welcome if they
are able to fit into the group without extra assistance. Please contact
Carol to discuss your child’s requirements.
This sports club takes place at Bracknell Sport and Leisure
Centre and is affiliated to Disability Sport England. Every year they
hold the Wokingham Games in which clubs from other areas participate in
field and other events. Bracknell Sport and Leisure Centre provides
free use of the swimming pool and other facilities on a weekly basis,
however, carers need to stay with the child.
For further information contact Keith Shepherd as above.
CATS is an after school and holiday group that meets weekly. Its members are
aged 8–18 and have an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) i.e. either High Functioning
Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. CATS YPP members are taught life and social skills
within a safe, friendly and fun environment. They are taught how to use public
transport, and public amenities, how to go shopping, and use money appropriately.
| Contact: |
Mrs Mary Iliffe, County Chair |
| Tel: |
01635 578791 |
| Fax: |
01635 579714 |
National website:www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
Riding for the Disabled aims to provide disabled people with
the opportunity to ride horses. A wide range of disabilities can be
accommodated. There are several local riding stables offering this
facility. For details of the nearest one, please telephone Mary Iliffe.
Contact: Pat Forbes
Burghfield Sailing Club
Hangar Road
Theale
Reading
RG7 4AP
RYA Sailability provides opportunities for disabled children
and adults to go sailing. A wide range of disabilities, both physical
and learning, can be accommodated. Children are welcome from the age of
8 years upwards and Pat Forbes is happy to discuss individual
requirements.
Sessions are held on Thursday evenings between 6.30pm and
8pm, from the end of April until early September. There are a variety
of dinghies and boats available. The charge is £6 per session for
adults or children, with a concession of £3 if the family receives
benefits.
(Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled)
WAMDSAD Clubhouse
Braywick Sports Ground
Braywick Road
Maidenhead
SL6 1BN
This club aims to provide and promote sport for physically
and sensory disabled people.
Lisa Oates
Area Youth Worker
The Wayz
Calfridus Way
Bracknell
RG12 9ET
Wayz runs a youth club 'The Hangout' for young people 14-25 with
moderate learning disabilities on Friday evenings 7.15pm - 9pm.
The evening includes a learning session as well as the usual youth club
activities. Parents and youngsters are encouraged to phone Lisa
for more information before attending.
Contact: John Cooper
Thames Valley Park Drive
Earley
Reading
Canoeing is the main sport on offer though rowing may be
introduced in the near future. All instructors are fully qualified.
John is very keen to provide opportunities for children with special
needs to enjoy water sports. He is willing to include children of all
ages and with all disabilities, both learning and physical. Specialist
equipment is available including hoists and toilet and shower facilities
for wheelchair users.
John is happy to discuss any child’s individual requirements.
Clubs
Contact: Larry Watson
Youth Club Building
South Reading Youth and Community Centre
252 Northumberland Avenue
Reading
RG2 7QA
This club caters for 14 to 25 year olds with learning
disabilities and is held on Monday evenings between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Activities include dance, theatre, sports and music. These premises are
temporary, until late 2004/early 2005, when the club hopes to move back
to East Reading. For more details contact Larry Watson.
Alternatively information can be obtained from Christine
Norris at Reading Civic offices:
90 Eastern Avenue
Reading
RG1 5SF
Contact Leap Co-ordinator Monica Charles
This is a project for 16 to 25 year olds with learning
difficulties which meets fortnightly on Sunday afternoons between 1.30pm
and 4.30pm at the above address. They participate in a variety of
activities, mostly selected by the young people themselves, and these
range from outings and visiting speakers to watching videos. There is
also a week’s respite break provided every year. This is funded by
Wokingham Social Services and priority is given to people in Wokingham
district.
MAPP Centre
22 Mount Pleasant
Silver Street
Reading
RG1 2TD
This is a social club to promote and encourage people with
and without physical disabilities to come together on equal terms to
achieve complete integration within the wider community. The club is
open for the 18+ age group from 10am to 4pm on Mondays to Thursdays. A
Junior Group catering for those aged 8 years plus, meets on Saturdays
from 10am to 2pm.
Summit House
Wandle Road
Croydon
CR0 1DF
Philip Darby
Easthampstead Baptist Church
South Hill Road
Bracknell
RG12 7NS
Unity and UnityPlus's aim is to integrate both able
bodied and those whose primary disability is physical within a club
situation as well as the wider society. Unity and UnityPlus
are social evenings at the Eashampstead Baptist Church, South Hill Road,
Bracknell with half of the group having a physical disability.
They develop what is offered in accordance with the requests of the
members. The young people do not have to attend a church in order
to belong to the club. Club Unity is for ages 11-16 and meets once
per month on a Friday, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. NOTE At the time of
writing this club is full and the waiting list is closed.
Unity Plus is for ages 16-21 with a priority age eligibility of
16-19, and meets once per month on a Thursday, 8.00pm to 10.00pm.
This group currently has vacancies.
Young Carers’ Group
See entry in Social Services and Housing section.
Youth Disability Group
Konnections at K2 in The Kerith Centre.
See entry in Local Support section.
|
