Amber Valley mum gives disabled children a chance to dance at SEN disco
A mum who runs activity sessions for disabled children and adults in Amber Valley has featured on a new podcast highlighting the work she does across the region.
Andrea Thomas’ youngest son has low functioning autism and global developmental delay and attends an SEN school in Amber Valley. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck she set up a parent’s WhatsApp group, sending activity suggestions for children to do on a daily basis whilst schools were closed.
As society re-opened an idea was born from the group, a disco to offer their children the same opportunities as others.
“Four of us took it upon ourselves to do it, and we’ve been going ever since” she tells host Sam Lloyd on the latest Active Together podcast.
She received funding and support from Get Out Get Active, a national programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together.
Alongside the SEN (Special Educational Needs) disco Andrea has also launched other activity sessions, with some for adults, including ‘disco-cise’, craft sessions and swimming.
She has also set up holiday clubs, something that parent’s locally have found incredibly helpful.
“Normally the kids are not included in holiday clubs. They come to ours, they have a great time, parents and carers sit there having drinks and coffee knowing that they aren’t judged at all” she says.
“Because the worst thing ever parents feel with SEN children is that they’re being judged by other mainstream kid’s parents. It sounds awful to say, but that’s half the battle. When you have a special needs child you feel as if the whole world’s watching you sometimes, on how that child’s reacting. So the parents are finding it great.”
Andrea’s contribution to the area is recognised throughout the episode. Her relentless energy is the backbone of so many sessions that give people the opportunity to be active together, although she insists that the real benefits are seeing opportunities arise for children across the region.
“I don’t think of it as a difference in Amber Valley, I just think of it as making a difference to that child.”
The Active Together podcast is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms
Find more information on Activity Alliance on our website www.activityalliance.org.uk
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Working Parents Encouraged To Apply Now For 30 Hours Of Funded Childcare Working parents of babies and pre-school children are being encouraged to apply now for up to 30 hours of fu read more | |
| Working In Partnership To Support Derbyshire Residents Working together to support Derbyshire residents and strengthen communities was the clear message to come out of a meeting bet read more | |
| Heanor five-year-old wins £100 for school library A creative five-year-old from Heanor is celebrating after winning a charity competition to design a book cover with a Communi read more | |
| Trading Standards Warn Don't Fall Foul Of Rogue Roofers Trading standards are warning Derbyshire residents to be on their guard against rogue roofers after nearly half of the doorst read more | |
| Cromford Mills Awarded Major Grant from The National Heritage Lottery Fund The Arkwright Society is delighted to announce that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in vital de read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
