Youth Groups For Disabled Children
Buddies Group
Another way we help disabled children feel part of society and further develop personal skills is through our Buddies group – a social group for teenagers with physical and/or learning difficulties.
Meeting regularly straight from school/college at the Chiltern Centre, young people have the chance to socialise with other youngsters through a variety of activities. From sharing a meal, creating arts and crafts and playing games, to watching TV, using computers and listening to music, the opportunity to connect with others develops their life skills no end.
Typical activities include: share a meal, arts and crafts, games, life skills, tv, computer, music and talk.
“Buddies offers so much to these young people who have difficulties socialising in other groups with children who don’t have a specified difficulty. As parents (no matter what age our children are) we like to make sure that our children are happy, safe and included. Fortunately I have found this for [my son] within the Buddies group.” (Anon parent)
Breakaway Group
The BREAKWAWAY GROUP is a lovely opportunity for 18-30 year olds with learning disabilities to not only feel part of a group, but have fun, get active and engage in all sorts of social and recreational activities.
This particular group, supported by Oxfordshire County Council, is mainly offered to families and carers living in South Oxfordshire.
Examples of what they do: meals out, bowling, cinema, theatre, dragonboat racing, charity work, go karting, to name but a few.
We even encourage parents and carers to get together twice a year, so they too can join in with at least one activity with their youngster – and both befriend and support each other. For more information, please contact Pamela Lee via email – breakaway@chilterncentre.org.uk
“…belated thank you for the lovely presentation of canapes and non-alcoholic drinks which the Breakaway group members including N put on for us parents a couple of weeks ago at Chiltern Centre. It was a fantastic and inspiring experience, the food they prepared was lovely and I was very touched by N’s vote of thanks at the end – thank you for giving him this opportunity. Given that I have never seen him speak to a large group before and he’d had no time to prepare beforehand, it was incredible and I believe it increased his belief in his ability to communicate with others” ML April 2014
Leaflet below opens in Powerpoint: