Why do 86% of disabled young people not have regular access to play? We have the answer. Join Challengers in confronting this statistic head on with their vital play and leisure schemes for disabled children and young people in Surrey. Bookings are underway for the Autumn term, but there is just one this missing…we want you to come and join in the fun! Play is a crucial part of any child’s life. Children learn, socialise and express themselves through play which is vital to any child’s upbringing and development. Disabled children and young people need the opportunity to do all of these things, with the correct support provided. Take a second to imagine your life without play? This is where Challengers are making a huge difference by providing services that families in Surrey need. Along with the huge benefits that Challengers schemes offer young people, they also provide short breaks for families. Short breaks are essential to families who can often struggle with the demands of having a disabled relative. One Challengers parent said “Challengers for us is a Godsend, it is a safe, happy place for me to leave one of the most precious things in my life for a few hours, worry free, to look after the other precious things in my life.” By visiting a Challengers scheme, parents get a chance to re-charge, spend time with other family members and get that all important break from what can often be a constant cycle of care. Summer holidays saw Challengers deliver 34,000 hours of play to disabled children and young people across all of their schemes. They got up to loads of fun activities including; Chessington World of Adventures, chill-out days, mini golf, Thorpe Park, Harry Potter World, music workshops, messy art, petting zoos and so much more - you name it, Challengers has made it possible for thousands of young people to have these experiences, which must continue if that huge 86% figure is to be eradicated. Challengers have recently introduced a new policy at their play schemes which means that any child, disabled or otherwise are welcome to go, play and have fun. Not only are non-disabled siblings encouraged to attend schemes, but the doors are now open to non-disabled friends, or any child that wants to go and experience what Challengers have to offer. The schemes running in Surrey are: Leatherhead Play; Bookham Youth; Epsom Young Adult; Epsom Play; Epsom Youth; Farnham Pre School; Godstone Play; Guildford Play – Outstanding Ofsted ranking; Caterham Youth; Farnham Youth; Guildford Youth; Farnham Young Adult and Guildford Young Adult. So why not come and join Challengers in their fight to make vital play opportunities available for everyone. Find your closest scheme and get in touch with the Challengers team. For more information please contact Hannah Woollven at Challengers, 01483 230060 or email hannahwoollven@disability-challengers.org.
Challengers, Stoke Park, Guildford, GU1 1TU. A Charitable Company limited by guarantee no. 4300724. Registered Charity no.1095134
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