Children with disabilities were able to stimulate their senses when students at Newcastle Sixth Form College put on an arts and crafts Christmas party.
The children from Sensory Spaces – a community organisation that provides safe play sessions in Newcastle for children with special needs – were treated to the afternoon of festive fun by some of the college’s A Level Psychology students.
The students have been helping Sensory Spaces to plan activities and crafts since October.
They secured £250 funding from Keyfund, a charity that funds youth-led projects, and decided to use it to lay on the Christmas party, complete with food, snow pool, games and crafts.
Martine d’Ellard, Sensory Spaces Manager, said the youngsters had a great time.
“It was wonderful of the students to provide the Christmas party. We had about 15 children in all come along, including siblings and cousins, and they all had a fabulous time and got something different out of it.
“They played in the snow pool, made decorations, joined in pass the parcel and even made Christmas smell boxes. It was a lovely festive afternoon where the children could relax and enjoy themselves.”
Rachael Little, Project Co-ordinator of SCENE (Sustainable Communities and Environments North East), a community engagement project to help students get involved in volunteering, said the day was a lot of fun.
“We were all delighted to be able to provide a Christmas party for the children fromSensory Spaces, as well as their brothers and sisters and cousins,” said Rachael.
“Some of our sixth form students have been going to help out every week so have become very involved and really appreciate how enabling these children to use their senses is vital.
“The party involved crafts, games, special light effects and fake snow, as well as lots to eat and drink. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, the students or the children. We all had a great time.”
The Sensory Spaces group meets every other Saturday between 1pm and 4pm at Commercial Union House in Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. For more information, call 0787 624 6264.
* People can find out more about the new sixth form building and the range of subjects available at Newcastle Sixth Form College at the monthly Information, Advice and Guidance open evening on Wednesday, January 9, from 4.30pm to 7pm, located in the Parsons Building on the Rye Hill Campus. Subject tutors will be available to offer advice and guidance to prospective students on subjects and A Levels. For more information about admissions, call 0191 272 1001 or email us at enquiries@newcastlesixthformcollege.ac.uk
Photo caption: (L-R) Rachel Hipkin, Alex Easton and Katie Hobson
