‘There’s no place like here’

NURSERY MAKE HUGE DIFFERENCE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

HAVING a child with special needs can be extremely difficult for any family, especially families who may be feel unprepared or unequipped to meet the specific needs of their child.

Hence why the team of workers at St Quintin Children’s Centre are extremely special.

The play centre in Notting Hill for disabled children aged 0-18 years old is open seven days a week and provides care for more than 250 children in the community and their families.

The centre provides children with activities that help their growth and development for school readiness, as well as classes and workshops to support their parents and carers.

Karla Pascal, one of the managers of the centre, who has been working with St Quintin’s for 10 years, said: “We strengthen parents to live life with their children who have additional needs.

“We work with children with all kinds of disabilities – hearing difficulties, autism, children in wheelchairs.

“It’s a very difficult job but to see the children progressing and see their accomplishments is so rewarding.”

More than 50 play workers make up the St Quintin’s team and include activities during half term, many of which are free and/or heavily subsidised.

Families are reliant on this service to provide them with respite and guidance that they may otherwise not have access to. And for all of their great work supporting the community, St Quintin’s, which opened in 2010, was recently awarded a £5,000 donation by children’s charity Little Lives UK.

Karla said: “There are not many centres like this so it’s good to be noticed and appreciated for the work that we do. This community and the families we support need us.

Khadra Ibrahim, who lives in Ladbroke Grove began bringing her daughter to the centre after she was diagnosed with autism aged two.

“My daughter loves it so much. She likes outdoor activities so she loves using the garden and the swings.

“It is hard to manage with a child that has learning disabilities but because of the people in the centre you have someone who can guide you and talk to you, it makes things easier.

“Coming here for the last five years has lifted a weight off my shoulders,.

“They do workshops, women’s days, it’s amazing. The support that they’ve given me, its like family. There’s no place like here.”