Families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the North West of North Tyneside are benefiting from a range of exciting activities and one-to-one support sessions, thanks to grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum was awarded UKSPF grants to host sessions at community venues in the Camperdown, Weetslade, and Longbenton wards until March 2025. These include The Oxford Centre, the John Willie Sams Centre, and the White Swan Centre in Killingworth.
SEND Families Together is a programme offering activities for families of young people with SEND, aged between 11 and 25, funded by UKSPF large and youth grants. The sessions allow young people to enjoy time with their peers while their parents and carers stay nearby. This means young people can enjoy some independence, while the adults can relax and chat over a cuppa.
Activities include tote bag and pencil case decorating, a visit from Rockpool School, wreath making for parents and carers, a visit from the Gamezone gaming bus, sessions on animation, Lego printing, making light catchers, and natural fabric dyeing with Helix Arts, as well as an end-of-project party. No formal diagnosis is needed, and all events are completely free.
A medium UKSPF grant is funding SEND Family Support Sessions, which provide free information, advice, and guidance, as well as a safe space for support and understanding. These sessions are held each Monday morning during term time from 10am to 1pm, alternating between the Oxford Centre and John Willie Sams Centre. Bookable appointments are also available online if preferred.
North Tyneside Council is partnering with North Tyneside VODA to deliver the UKSPF programme, which is funded by the UK Government, with the North East Combined Authority acting as the lead authority. Through UKSPF, North Tyneside Council has invested over £1.2 million across a variety of grants in the North West of the Borough.
This is part of the Council’s Ambition for the North West, aimed at creating attractive living spaces, new opportunities for work and business, and inspiring places to visit and play.
North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum is a community interest company led by and for parents and carers of children or young people aged 0-25 with SEND. The Forum works with local providers to improve services at a strategic level, and offers information, training, and support to parents and carers.
Strategic Director Jo Gilliland commented: “Although we typically offer our services across the entire borough, the UKSPF funding has allowed us to focus on providing specific services in the North West area. This has helped us reach new families and ensure they receive the support they need.
The SEND Families Together sessions are fantastic because we offer a variety of activities based on what families have told us they want, delivered by brilliant partners such as Helix Arts, Rockpool School, and Gamezone. Having parent carers in the same room but in a separate area allows for the best of both worlds – the young people get to enjoy time together but apart, which makes it easier for those who may feel anxious.
With a high staffing ratio, we’re there to offer help when needed. There are always Lego and board games available for those who prefer to opt out, and we provide healthy snack packs. We don’t typically run activity-based sessions, but when we asked parents and carers what they wanted, they requested these types of joint activities.
The SEND Families Together one-to-one sessions have been hugely popular. We receive a wide range of queries, with some parents and carers seeking emotional support, while others need practical advice.
Additionally, the sessions allow us to identify requests for Parent Carer Needs Assessments, which we carry out on behalf of North Tyneside Council.
Councillor Karen Clark, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “This UKSPF funding is enabling North Tyneside Parent Carer Forum to expand on the incredible work it’s already doing, supporting children with SEND and their families in new and innovative ways.
It can often be challenging for SEND families to enjoy shared activities, so it’s wonderful to see these sessions bringing such joy. By taking them into communities in the North West, to accessible venues like John Willie Sams, the Oxford Centre, and the White Swan, we’re making it easier for families to take part.
The high demand for one-to-one support sessions shows just how much these services are needed and appreciated by SEND families, who can also be signposted to other crucial sources of help and advice.
UKSPF was made available to any voluntary and community sector organisations providing services in Camperdown, Weetslade, and Longbenton, with five different types of grants: capital, large, medium, small, and youth.
Focusing on fostering a sense of renewed pride, identity, and community connectivity, UKSPF aims to improve life chances across the UK by investing in communities, local businesses, and skills development.
The capital, large, medium, and youth grants are now closed, with all funds allocated. However, funding is still available through the small grants scheme via North Tyneside VODA until 31 December 2024.
Parents and carers seeking legal information, advice, and support should contact the Special Educational Needs and Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service North Tyneside (SENDIASS).
