Play Alloa

Welcome

to

Play Alloa

Background to

Play AlloaIs a charitable company based in

Clackmannanshire since 1992, providing play and social opportunities

for children and young people with disabilities and additional support needs.

to provide a range of opportunities where children/adults can play and socialise in an age appropriate and inclusive way

to offer respite and support to families and carers

Our specific aims are:

to provide valuable voluntary and work experience opportunities for the carers of

tomorrow

to increase awareness of disability issues and promote inclusion and understanding in the

wider community

A Brief History

Play Alloa was started by a small group of concerned parents who felt there was nothing for their special children to do out of school.

It was initially based in Fairfield School, in Sauchie, then it moved to Sauchiehall.

Play Alloa became a registered Charity in 1995 and a charitable company in 2010

In 2012 Play Alloa moved to Hawkhill Community Centre.

We currently support over 130 families across the district.

Play Alloa exists because every child has the basic human right to play, have

friends and enjoy their free time ... as stated by the United Nations Convention on the

Rights of the Child.

This set of articles also states that disabled children & young people have a right to special care and

support so they can live full and independent lives.

We currently provide:

• A weekly Parent/Carer/Toddlers session

• 2 x weekly Saturday Play Sessions (Tillicoultry and Alloa) providing free play for approximately 50 children and a valuable respite opportunity for families under stress

• 2 x weekly Youth Clubs for 16 young people aged 12-16, in Alloa and Tillicoultry

• 3 x weekly Active Life Skills Day Sessions specifically for young women or young men aged 16-24 developing Health, Wellbeing, Confidence, Physical Participation etc

• A weekly adult Social Group for approximately

30 adults aged 16+

• A number of school holiday Play Schemes catering for around 16-18 children each day as well as a number of summer trips for families/youth club members

• Individualised adult support on a 1:1 basis (for 8 families who access direct payments)

• A range of befriending opportunities for children including 1:1 befriending, group activity sessions and in-session buddies

• A range of parent information sessions (once or twice a month) and a monthly Parent Support Group

•Over 130 families/children/adults•Range of complex conditions•50% Autism/ASD/ADHD/Aspergers•15% Downs Syndrome•15% Behavioural Difficulties•10% Global Learning Delays•5% Cerebral Palsy or other named conditions•5% other additional support need

AutismDowns SyndromeGlobal Learning Delays

Behavioural Difficulties

Cerebral Palsy

ADHD

Conditions

By allowing a child/adult time to relax, have fun, be themselves and freely choose their own play/social experience, in a non-judgemental and supported environment, that we can increase confidence and self esteem allowing for participation in more mainstream activities

Although we acknowledge and understand the variety of disabilities and ASN’s,

we do not concentrate on the condition, we concentrate on the individual

Play Alloa Philosophy

What parents have said about us:

“The holiday playschemes have literally

been a lifesaver!”“My child loves coming here and [Play Alloa] has changed my child a lot. When he comes home he’s a totally different person, he can be who he really is there, that’s what he tells me”.

““There is nothing else. If Play Alloa wasn’t here we would have to go much further afield and probably wouldn’t manage to get anything for our child”.

“Staff and volunteers work extremely

hard to make this provision meet the

needs of the young folk”

“My Child really looks forward to going to the group on a Saturday”

Play can be defined as child like behaviour which is ‘freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated’.

It is through play that children understand each other and make sense of the world around them.

Play is innate in every child no matter their ability or disability

Every child has the basic legal right to play (UNCRC) Play can develop emotional, social and cognitive skills Many children with ASN and disabilities

are isolated from normal play situations This can lead to ‘play deprivation’

What is PLAY ?

Play is a way for children to experience the world, to challenge themselves and test out different emotions and feelings.

It allows the child to gain confidence in their own abilities and raises self esteem.

It practices scary situations and challenges children to push their own boundaries allowing them to grow as a person.

It teaches them how to share, be a part of a group/community and to make their own choices

It practices social situations and friend-making.

PLAY Benefits

We know from research that...

The first 5 years of a child's life are crucial to both cognitive and emotional development

Isolation and lack of stimulation can stunt and negatively impact a child's development

Children with disabilities and ASN are often isolated from social interaction

It is of critical importance that early stimulation and intervention programmes be made available to children with disabilities

As they mature, they can benefit greatly from contact with other children with disabilities and additional support needs who can act as role models

We feel it is very important for all those with disabilities and ASN to: Understand and practice social situations Experience play and have fun Understand personal safety Develop life skills Be confident enough to say no Experience making their own choices Learn how to use public transport and facilities Understand their own sexuality Feel a sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion Be supported by their families and carers

Children/young people who are deprived of play and social experiences can struggle in adulthood.

Play Deprivation and Social Deprivation

• They can feel isolated, alone and depressed• They can experience intense anxiety• They can act inappropriately• They can become aggressive and challenging• They can become overly emotional and upset• They can lose their confidence and self esteem• They can feel unable to make choices and decisions

Play Alloa abides by 8 nationally recognised Playwork Principles:

These Principles establish the professional and ethical framework for playwork and as such must be regarded as a whole.

They describe what is unique about play and playwork, and provide the playwork perspective for working with children and young people

They are based on the recognition that children and young people’s capacity for positive development will be enhanced if given access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.

Play Principles

1. All children and young people have the need to play. 2. Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically

motivated. 3. The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the

play process. 4. For playworkers, the play process takes precedence when engaging with

adult led agendas.5. The role of the playworker is to support all children and young people in

the creation of a space in which they can play.6. The playworker’s response to children and young people playing is based

on a sound up to date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice.

7. Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space.8. Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children and young

people to extend their play.

The Play Principles

Children/adults with disabilities and asn have a basic need to play/socialise just like anyone else

Children/adults with disabilities and asn have the same human right as anyone else to play, enjoy their free time and make friends

Children/adults with disabilities and asn may need help and support to access play/social activities

Things to remember !

Thanks for your interest, we look forward to working

with you!

Play Alloa