All together now: Kids project is for everyone
Children with additional support needs can join clubs
A pioneering project is ensuring children with special needs don’t miss out on youth clubs by paying for specialist staff training.
Parents of children with additional support needs ( ASN) approached staff at Renfrew YMCA and said they were struggling to find suitable groups.
So instead of creating brand new groups for children with ASN, they decided to send their staff on specialist training so they could support ASN children at existing groups.
They’ve called the project In It Together and it is for primary school-age children with ASN and without.
Manager of Renfrew YMCA Samantha Gillan explained: “The need for this project was identified by parents who struggled to find other services for their children with additional support needs that where not specifically ASN groups.
“From this we applied to The Robertson Trust and secured three years funding of £27,000 to support children with ASN more effectively within our clubs.
“We are not aiming to create projects for children with additional support needs, what we are aiming to do is ensure that we have the correct staff, training and skills to allow children with ASN to attend our services.
“In It Together helps children meet peers who they would not have had the chance to meet outside of this project, either because they wouldn’t have had the confidence to or they don’t attend the same schools and clubs.”
At the moment, In It Together is running in two clubs in the YMCA’s Junior section.
They take place every Friday, from 4.30pm till 6.30pm, and on Saturdays, from 2.30pm till 5pm.
At every session there are two youth workers dedicated to support children with ASN.
From September it will also start a new club on a Monday evening from 4pm till 6pm.
There, youngsters will use things like photography, art and games to empower children to develop their confidence and self-esteem.
Samantha said so far the project has been a success and they’re applying for more funding to extend it to their drop-in and Play Ranger clubs.
“We want In It Together to run as a theme throughout the whole organisation,” she said.
Renfrew YMCA runs out of a dedicated building on Canal Street in the town.
For more information on the work they do, check facebook. com/renfrewymca2011
It helps children meet peers who they would not have had the chance to outside of this project Samantha Gillan
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