THINGS TO DO FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
IN DARTFORD, GRAVESHAM AND SWANLEY
0 – 19 years
Please note that we do our best to provide accurate information. We cannot take
responsibility for their suitability for your child and we have not necessarily vetted the
organisation.
1. Specialist Activities - activities specifically for disabled children and young
people
2. Befriending/mentoring- providing opportunities for disabled children and young
people to access mainstream activities with support
3. 1:1 support
4. Targeted activities – mainstream activities which parents have told us are very
welcoming to disabled children and young people
5. Siblings/young carers – providing opportunities for siblings to enjoy for
themselves
6. Days Out
7. Cinema
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PARENTS CONSORTIUM ACTIVITIES
Family Day Out Paradise Wildlife Park
Date: Saturday 20 September 2014
Cost: £15 per person for PC members (all ages)
This will include your entrance fee and travel to and from the Park. Book now to avoid disappointment! Two pick up
points (Cascades Leisure Centre, Gravesend and Westgate Road Car Park, Dartford)
Please call Leisure Services on 01322 665 474 or email Tracey Riley on rileyt@parentsconsortium.co.uk for more
details and to book your place.
1. Specialist Activities
Little Rascals
Details: supported youth club for 5 – 11 year olds (there is currently a waiting list)
Criteria: any impairment (no personal care provided)
Timings: 4.30 – 6pm on Thursdays
Venue: The Parents Consortium, Allsworth Court, St David’s Road, Hextable, Kent, BR8 7RJ
Type of access:
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
Simpsons Club
Details: specialist club with activities, play and supper for 5 – 19 year olds (there is currently a waiting list)
Criteria: severe and profound impairments
Timings: 4 – 7 pm twice monthly on Mondays and Tuesdays
Venue:
The Parents Consortium, Allsworth Court, St David’s Road, Hextable, Kent, BR8 7RJ
Type of access:
Organisation: Parents Consortium
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Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
Big Rascals
Details: supported youth club for 12 to 19 year olds (there is currently a waiting list)
Criteria: any impairment (no personal care provided)
Timings: 5 – 7pm on Wednesdays
Venue: The Parents Consortium, Allsworth Court, St David’s Road, Hextable, Kent, BR8 7RJ
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
Bridge 4 Young People
Details: Youth Club for young people
Timings: 7 – 9pm on Tuesdays at Swanley Youth Centre and 7 – 9pm on Thursdays at Dartford Bridge Learning
Campus
Venue: Swanley Youth centre, St Mary’s road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7BU
Organisation: Kent County Council Youth Services
Contacts: caroline.mcnally-johnson@kent.gov.uk
Biebers Base
Details: supported youth club for 5 – 11 year olds
Criteria: any impairment (no personal care provided)
Timings: 5 – 6.30pm on Wednesdays
Venue: Northfleet Youth Centre (Sprints), Hall Road, DA11 8AJ
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
Wednesday in-it
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Details: Youth club for 11 to 25 year olds
Criteria: any impairment (no personal care provided)
Timings: 7 – 9pm on Wednesdays
Venue: Northfleet Youth Centre (Sprints), Hall Road, DA11 8AJ
Organisation: Northfleet Youth centre
Contacts: Nigel Crocker (Senior Practitioner), T: 01474 351 451, E: nigel.crocker@kent.gov.uk
Friday Fun Club
Details: Come for an hour of trampolining, bouncy castle, soft play and other sports activities. Up to age 18yrs (No
waiting lists).
Criteria: Any child with disabilities and their siblings. We ask parents to stay with their children.
Timings: 6:15 – 7:15pm every other Friday.
Venue: Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1LW.
Type of access: Children and their families are welcome, just to turn up on the night.
Organisation: Kent Friendz
Website: www.kentfriendz.org
Contacts: Sam Jardine; e: sam.kentfriendz@hotmail.co.uk : t: 01732 360033
Fun Club
Details: Join us on trips out to places such as bowling, swimming, parks, the beach, restaurants etc or hall based
activities such as discos or arts and crafts. Age 8-17. No waiting list.
Criteria: Any child with any disability. Fun club is split up into 3 groups: Kidz who are age 8-12, Teenz who are age
13-17 and Starz who are children who can display challenging behaviour.
Timings: These clubs run during the school holidays.
Venue: Tonbridge and the surrounding area.
Type of access: Children must be a member to attend. Please contact us direct for an initial referral form, we will
then arrange to come and do an assessment.
Organisation: Kent Friendz
Website: Kentfriendz.org
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Contact: Robine Irving 01732 360033 robine.kentfriendz@hotmail.co.uk
Disability Sportslink
Details: Trampolining plus activity sessions for children aged 8 – 14 years
Criteria: for children with any impairment and their friends
Timings: 5.15 – 6.30pm on Tuesdays
Venue: Cygnet Leisure Centre
Organisation: Cygnet Leisure Centre
Contacts: Sonya Sims, T: 01474 536 254, E: sonya.sims@gcll.co.uk
Revolution Youth Club
Details: Youth club for 11 – 25 year olds with a disability or additional needs and their families (Entry fee 50p).
Timings: Tuesdays 7:30 – 9:30pm.
Venue: ‘The Junction’, Swanley.
Organisation: KCC
Website: www.kent.gov.uk
Disability Sportslink Programme
Details: The programme is designed for a mix of ages and includes swimming sessions, exercise classes, gym
sessions, fencing, multi-activity sessions, rebound therapy, chair fit classes and football.
Timings: Various, call Cascades for full programme
Venue: Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 4LG
Contacts: Sonya Sims, Disability Sportslink; e: Sonya.sims@gcll.co.uk ; t: 01474 536 254
Mad Play
Details:
Monthly informal stay and play session for any age and disability (accompanied) at Mad Play
Children’s Play Centre. This session was set up by one of our parents (Gail) and there is now a group
of families who attend regularly. An ideal way to get to know other families in the area and for the
enjoy some fun activities
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Age group:
any (see their website)
Timings:
1st Monday of every month from 4.30pm onwards
Admission Fee: Under 4’s £5, Over 5’s £6, parents £1
Address:
208 Charles Street, Greenhithe, DA9 9AJ
Website:
http://madplay.co.uk/
Tel:
01322 385 800 (Mad Play)
Dance Club:
Organisation: Bounce and Beatz Dance Academy
Details:
Dance Classes for adults and children with learning disabilities
Address:
Cascades Leisure Centre
Tel:
Chloe on 07837 871 049
Email: bounceandbeatzdanceacademy@gmail.com
Drama
Organisation: Walk Tall
Details:
Drama group for building self esteem
Ages:
5 – 18 years
Address:
various
Tel:
0845 270 8130 (Sevenoaks and Swanley area - Richard Webb on 01732 454 785)
Email:
Richard.webb@vawk.co.uk
2.
BEFRIENDING/MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES
Me2 programme
Details: peer inclusion mentoring scheme that enables disabled young people to be included in mainstream youth
provisions for 13 to 19 year olds (mentors are 15 – 19 year olds) (there is currently a waiting list). Click here for full
poster (Me2 programme)
Criteria: informal meeting to ascertain suitability of the programme
Timings: dependent on chosen youth provision
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Venue: Kent and Medway
Organisation: Young Kent
Contacts: Jon Rees, T: 01622 351 150, E: jonme2@youngkent.org.uk
Be Our Buddy
Details: Volunteer providing one to one support for the young person to access a mainstream activity for 8 – 18
year olds. Click here for full poster (Be Our Buddy)
Criteria: mild disabilities
Timings: flexible, depending on activity/club
Venue: Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley
Organisation: VAWK
Contacts: area: Gravesend area: Rupert Garrett, T: 01322 294 524, E: Rupert.garrett@vawk.org.uk
Dartford area: Jane Manwaring e:jane.manwaring@vawk.org.uk; T: 07903 952075
Swanley area: Richard Webb, T: 01732 454 785, E: richard.webb@vawk.org.uk
Weekend Fun Club
Details: WFC offer day and overnight short breaks for disabled young people aged 10-14 yrs and 14 – 18yrs to
enable them access mainstream activities alongside volunteers their own age.
Criteria: mild to moderate disabilities
Timings: 10 – 4pm on Saturdays (monthly, with every 3rd month being residential overnight)
Venue: Northfleet Youth Centre (Sprints), Hall Road, DA11 8AJ
Type of access: Referrals only.
Organisation: VSU Youth in Action (VAWK)
Contacts: Alex Duncum, alex.duncum@vawk.org.uk, 01892 530330
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1: 1 SUPPORT:
One to One Support
Details: One to one support for 5 – 18 year olds (there is a waiting list). Generally 3 -4 hrs session per week/ or
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fortnightly
Criteria: Children with a disability / impairments.
Timings: Monday – Sunday 9am – 10pm. Varies depending on need.
Venue: Either in House/ Support to go out and engage in activities.
Type of access: Please contact Respite Service – 01634 582132. If living in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley
support can be accessed through Direct Payments or self-funding. Anyone can contact parent, relative, professional
etc.
Organisation: Carers FirstTel: 0300 303 1555
Website: www.carersfirst.org.uk
Contacts: e: susan.ashburn@carersfirst.org.uk ; t: 01634 582132 (Respite office); a: 3 Canterbury Street,
Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5TP
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TARGETED ACTIVITIES:
Football – Swanscombe Tigers F.C.
Details: Football for 5 year olds to Adults
Criteria: all disabilities
Timings: 7 – 8pm on Wednesdays
Venue: Swan Valley School, Swanscombe
Type of access: Direct approach. Can just turn up
Organisation: Swanscombe Tigers F.C.
Website: www.swanscombetigers.com
Contacts: Peter Alloway (Vice Chair); e: Swanscombe_tigers@hotmail.co.uk or Michaela Palmer (Parent
Rep) T: 07833584953
Horse Riding
Details: Costs depend on severity of disability
Timings: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Venue: Arrow Riding School for the disabled, Darenth Park Avenue, Dartford , DA2 6LZ
Contacts: Val Blake (Chairperson; t: 01322 294390
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Gravesend Lions Wheelchair Basketball Team
Details: The club welcomes everyone, whether you are a wheelchair user or not, whether you are disabled or not.
Timings: Every Wednesday 4.30 – 6pm
Venue: North West Kent College, Lower Higham Road , Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JJ
Contacts: Chris Manley; m: 07976 853826; e: chrismanley@nwkcollege.ac.uk or Mike Bishop; t: 01732 525389; e:
mike.bishop@kent.gov.uk
Dartford Judo Club
Details: Junior judo classes for children of all ages.
Criteria: Classes are for everyone. Can take a child with an impairment depending on the severity of the
impairment.
Timings: Wednesday 7pm - 8:15pm;
Friday 7pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Dartford Judo Club, Cotton Lane, Stone, Dartford, DA2 6PD
Type of access: Can make enquiries at the club directly or call the club for more details. Has a membership fee of
£35 per year and classes with members paying per class £3 and £4 for non-members Organisation: Dartford Judo
Club
Website: www.dartfordjudoclub.com
Tel: 01322 222 071
Email: info@dartfordjudoclub.com
Callum Park Equestrian
Details: “Teach many children, including some with autism”. Parents are welcome to make contact to see if it is
suitable for their child
Organisation: Callum Park Equestrian, Basser Hill, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, ME9 7TY
Contacts: 01795 844258; 07968 534570; riding@callumpark.com www.callumpark.com
The Meapa Gymnastic Club
Details: “A gymnastic club for all”
Organisation: Cedar Avenue, Gravesend, DA12 5JT
Contacts: 01474 333299; enquiries@themeapa.com; www.themeapa.com
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5.
Siblings/young carers
Kent Young Carers
Details: New county-wide service to support Young Carers aged 5-18 living in the county. KYC will enable Young Carers to
receive some respite from their caring responsibilities, socialise with their peers and receive tailored support. Social
groups for Young Carers called Chill Clubs, one per district.
Organisation: Kent Young Carers (partnership between Carers FIRST and VAWK)
Contacts: 0300 111 111 0; info@kentyoungcarers.org.uk; www.kentyoungcarers.org.uk
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Days Out
Useful websites containing information about activities:
Kent County Council Website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture.aspx
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Parks - Parents’ recommendations include Shorne Country Park, Leeds Castle, Swanley Park, Danson Park,
Dartford Park, Broaditch Farm ( http://www.broadditch.co.uk)
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Attractions - Parents’ recommendations include Dickens World (Chatham)
Dartford Borough Council website (for The Library Detective Trails etc): www.dartford.gov.uk
Gravesham Borough Council website: www.gravesham.gov.uk
Sevenoaks Borough Council website: www.sevenoaks.gov.uk
Bexley Borough Council: http://www.bexley.gov.uk (including Hall Place)
Kent PEPs (Kent Parents as Equal Partners) https://www.kentpeps.co.uk/events
Groombridge Enchanted Forest
Details: Discover the beautiful award-winning gardens and the delightful enchanted forest with its giant swings, zip
wires and Crusoe’s World. Meet the new baby animals and enjoy a canal boat ride. Admire the peacocks from the
newly refurbished ‘Peacock Bistro’. Also free with admission are the daily Birds of Prey displays (except Mondays).
Address: Groombridge Place, Groombridge Hill, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9QG
Tel: 01892 861444
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Email: office@groombridgeplace.com
Website: http://www.groombridgeplace.com
Go Bananas
Go Banana's is a family run playbarn full of kids! We have indoor play frames for children under 12, toddler
playframe and an outdoor play area too!
Website: http://www.gobananas-playbarn.org.uk
Our address is: Butchers Lane, off Chapelwood Road, Ash, Longfield, Kent, TN15 7HT
Tel: 01474 874118
The Hop Farm
Details:
Fun day out. Entry is free and activities are paid for by tokens, purchased individually
Website: http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk
Telephone: 01622 872068
Address: The Hop Farm Family Park (Kent Entertainment Ltd), Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent,
TN12 6PY
Email: info@thehopfarm.co.uk
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Cinema
Autism Friendly Film Screenings
Organisation: Dimensions in partnership with ODEON cinemas
Details:
Mainstream films shown in a sensory friendly environment. Lights are on low, sound is turned down,
trailers are omitted and people can bring their own food, make noise and move around the cinema as
they feel comfortable.
The screenings are for anyone who would benefit from the subtle differences made to the cinema
environment and we hope it will enable people who may struggle to enjoy mainstream cinema to
experience this newly released film with friends and family.
Age group:
Any
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Address:
Various across UK
Website:
www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfriendly (also FAQs page)
Tel:
Tickets via ODEON Accessibility Helpline Number 0800 138 3315
Email:
Contact:
kayley.worsley@dimensions-uk.org
Kayley Worsley
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