THINGS TO DO FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
IN DARTFORD, GRAVESHAM AND SWANLEY
Summer 2013
5 – 11 years
The information below is a combination of services provided by members of the North West
Kent Consortium and others which parents have told us about. We cannot take responsibility
for their suitability for your child and we have not necessarily vetted the organisation. Please
let us know about any other activities which your child(ren) has enjoyed so that we can
extend this list. Please send the information to The Parents Consortium, c/o Jacqueline
Bobb, e: bobbj@parentsconsortium.co.uk ; a: Allsworth Court, St David’s Road, Hextable,
BR8 7RJ; t: 01322 668 501 extn 1. Please note that we do our best to provide accurate
information.
1. Targeted 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. Integrated 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
8. Other useful information
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1. Targeted Activities
KIDSCAMP – FULLY BOOKED!
Details: play scheme for 5 – 17 year olds
Criteria: severe and profound impairments (personal care provided). Note: there are no more places for this
summer
Timings: 29 July to 30 August 2013
Venue: The Parents Consortium, Allsworth Court, St David’s Road, Hextable, Kent, BR8 7RJ
Type of access: members of The Parents Consortium
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
PLAY SCHEMES – FULLY BOOKED!
Details: play scheme for 5 – 15 year olds
Criteria: any impairment (no personal care provided) Note: there are no more places for this summer
Timings: 29 July to 30 August 2013
Venue: Cascades Leisure Centre, Gravesend and The Bridge, Dartford
Type of access: members of The Parents Consortium. Subject to completion of a Support Plan
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.ukaent
2
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
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
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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
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
4
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 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
Age group:
any (see their website)
Timings:
1st Thursday 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
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2.
BEFRIENDING/MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES
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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3.
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
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
4.
INTEGRATED 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
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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
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
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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
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.carersfirst.org.uk
Sibs Club
Details: Multi activity club for the siblings of disabled children aged 5 – 11 years
Timings: Saturday mornings from 10 - 12 noon
Venue: at Cascades Leisure Centre.
Type of access: all siblings welcome. Places are subject to a completed Support Plan, current funding and proof of
membership to The Parents Consortium
Organisation: Parents Consortium
Website: www.parentsconsortium.org.uk
Contacts: Leisure Services, T: 01322 665474, E: leisureadmin@parentsconsortium.co.uk
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6.
Days Out
Useful websites containing information about activities:
Kent County Council Website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture.aspx
-
Parks - Parents’ recommendations include Shorne Country Park, Leeds Castle, Swanley Park, Danson Park,
Dartford Park, Broaditch Farm ( http://www.broadditch.co.uk)
-
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
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
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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
Fairfield Pool, Dartford
Details: Free swim for a carer when accompanying a child or adult with special needs. No restrictions any time of
day and any day of the week. Check other swimming pools as they may offer a concession as well.
Tel: 01322 884 400
7.
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
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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Other useful information
Merlin attractions (Alton Towers, Chessington etc.)
Complimentary Carer Pass
Details: should a disabled Merlin Annual Passholder require assistance on their visits to our attractions, we issue
one complimentary pass per disabled Passholder to be used by any carer - this is transferable between carers; the
carer Pass is issued the disabled guests and carers Passes will have the name, date of birth and a photo of the
disabled guest.
To obtain a complimentary carer pass, simply purchase a Merlin Annual Pass for the disabled guest in the usual
way. The complimentary carer Pass will be issued on your first visit to our attractions. You'll need to provide proof of
disability when getting your Passes issued.
For further details http://www.merlinannualpass.co.uk/help/disabled-policy
Telephone: 08444 774444
The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card – FREE pass for Carers
Details: This is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is entitled to one free ticket for a person
accompanying them to the cinema (for those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance or a
registered blind person)
Website: http://www.ceacard.co.uk
Address: The Card Network, Network House, St Ives Way, Sandycroft, CH5 2QS
Tel: 0845 123 1292
Email: info@ceacard.co.uk
Radar Key
Details: a special key which opens public disabled toilets. Costs £2.50 from your local borough council
Website: www.dartford.gov.uk , www.gravesham.gov.uk , www.sevenoaks.gov.uk
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Disabled Bus Pass
Details: Free bus pass for child or adult and accompanying carer to travel on any bus in England off peak times.
Valid one year.
Tel: 08458 247 802
Website: www.kent.gov.uk/buspass
Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Details: Free ticket for a carer when accompanying a child or adult with special needs.
Tel: 01322 220000 or visit in person
Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
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MEMBERS OF NORTH WEST CONSORTIA
Organisati
on
The
Parents
Consortiu
m
VSU Youth
in Action
(service of
VAWK)
Address
Telephone
Website Address
Email address
Allsworth Court ,St.
David’s Road
Hextable
01322 668 501
www.parentsconsortium.c
o.uk
admin@parentsconsortium.
co.uk
VSU, NWK College,
Dartford, Kent, DA1
2JT
01322 294524 /
07957 225817
www.vawk.org.uk
tony.waite@vawk.org.uk
Carers
First &
Medway
Carers
Centre
Medway Carers
Centre, 3 Canterbury
Street, Gillingham,
Kent, ME7 5TP
0300 303 1555
www.carersfirst.org.uk
caroline.pope@carersfirst.o
rg.uk
Kent
Young
Carers
(Carers
First and
VAWK)
Kent
Young
Carers
(Carers
First and
VAWK)
Kent
County
Council
Youth
Services
KYC, 17-19 Monson
Road, Tunbridge
Wells, Kent, TN1 1LS
0300 111 1110
www.kentyoungcarers.org
.uk
info@kentyoungcarers.org.
uk
Medway Carers
Centre, 3 Canterbury
Street, Gillingham,
Kent, ME7 5TP
0300 111 1110
www.carersfirst.org.uk
info@kentyoungcarers.org.
uk
Fao: Nigel Crocker,
Acting Area Youth
Officer, C/o Swanley
Youth Centre, St.
Mary's Road,
Swanley, Kent BR8
7BU
Tel 01322
615275, Mobile
07740 184063
Kent
Friendz
FAO: Chris Burton,
CEO, Kent Friendz,
7 Cannon Lane,
Tonbridge TN9 1PP
Tel: 01732
360033
Nigel.Crocker@kent.gov.uk
www.kentfriendz.org
14
chris.kentfriendz@hotmail.c
o.uk
Young
Kent
(formally
Kent
Youth)
FAO: Jon Rees, Me2
Co-ordinator, Young
Kent, 36 Hedley
Street, Maidstone,
Kent ME14 5AD
(Formerly Kent Youth
and KCVYS)
Office telephone
number: 01622
351150
Mobile number:
07525 324949
15
www.youngkent.org.uk
jonme2@youngkent.org.uk