First holiday club held in Haverhill by the Sunflower SEND Hub

The first holiday club to be run by a fledgling service for children with disabilities and/or special needs (SEND) and their parents has been described as ‘perfect for our needs’.

As part of plans to establish the Sunflower SEND Hub in Haverhill, three holiday clubs have been held on a trial basis.

The first of these took place last Thursday at The New Croft in Haverhill, with two more being held this week at the Broadlands Hall School in Little Wratting - all three were free to attend with the venues waiving any hiring charges.

Sunflower SEND Hub is being set up by Tina Scott (whose youngest daughter, seven, has special needs) and Aimee Brown to combat the lack of such services in and around Haverhill for many children and parents with specific needs.

At the first of the holiday clubs, there was a buzz as parents/carers and children turned up in their number.

The club, at which most of the toys and play equipment had been donated, provided a place for everyone to just be themselves, said Tina.

“I think they have all come and they can be themselves so they can run around and nobody is judging them, so if they make noises then nobody is staring at them like they would in other places.

“It’s just nice that they are all in here. It’s a start. It is something that is needed.”

Donna and Rob Allen, of Haverhill, were there with their youngest son Brian, eight, who has cerebral palsy and autism and uses a wheelchair.

Although Brian has been a pupil at Hillside Special School in Sudbury for four years, the couple has struggled to find anywhere suitable for his needs in Haverhill outside of school times.

Donna said: “There’s nothing available for people with mobility issues. Soft play areas are not ideal for Brian. There’s a lot of that going about but there’s nothing for him.

“Being special needs parents, holidays are the hardest for us, so this is absolutely perfect for my little boy.

“Respite is what we really want. We’ve had no break in all the years Brian has been here. The only break we get is when Brian is at school.

“We were struggling because as special needs parents it takes a toll on your mental health.

“We are parents and we are carers and that is 24/7, so having something like this is perfect for someone with a mobility issue, because there is just nothing about. He is loving it.”

Offers of help, either volunteering or donations, can be made or more details gleaned by emailing Tina at: Scott.Tina1@icloud.com