BME Young Carers - New York Stadium

• Activity type: Social
• Area: Central
• Cost: Free

Activity Summary

We currently run a regular fun and interactive family session at the GoalZone Activity Suite in New York Stadium on the last Thursday of every month. The sessions are for SEND/LD children, young people, parents and carers from black and minority ethnic communities. Our sessions offers children, young people, their carers and families, a place for children to enjoy activities and enjoy a local facility.

The facility has lots to offer in terms of space, equipment, easily accessible and accommodates a whole range of ages and abilities. It is centrally located and we have been using the venue for the past three years which means children, young people and families can rely on a consistent and reliable event for them to take part in. 

We employ additional sessional staff to support children with additional or complex needs, which gives young carers and parents much needed respite.  Alongside the planned activities, we provide advocacy support to parents and carers and help in overcoming language barriers. The support we provide includes translation of information/letters, , advice and guidance, help with issues in school, signposting, form filling, raising awareness of other services, and contacting other agencies, etc. Our staff are highly experiences in working within SEND and minority communities and have extensive knowledge and experience of working with BAMER SEND/LD children, young people and families. Staff lived experiences help them better connect with children and young people. We also have a small group of volunteers, who are SEND and past service users, who enjoy supporting others and sharing their experiences.

Activity Description

• To provide support for families and young people as required and offer opportunities for the children to get to know each other, play together and try new things in a safe and creative environment
• To continue working in partnership with Clifton Museum staff on the ‘Sparking Wonders, Making Connections’ Project with artists and staff attending the session, deliver creative mediums working alongside children and young people during the session

We will work closely with children, young people and families to relaunch a programme of increased activities. The additional provision will enable us to increase number of children we support and increase engagement. We successfully delivered a variety of sensory and fitness activities in the previous cohort, and we would like to expand this. Following on from consultation and because of being indoors due to the pandemic, many families have shared an increases interest in nature and the great outdoors including the sky at night. Our families are also regularly tending to our allotment in Clifton Park Museum and preparing for planting and bedding of plants and vegetables.

What will be doing that is new?

• Working closely with Dr Skander Hussain, Educational & Child Psychologist, RMBC and parents/carers to tackle health inequalities by raising awareness
• We are acutely aware that very few ethnic minorities are involved in the design, discussion or delivery of the service they are service users of. Language barriers and ‘hard to reach’ labels are used as a common factor.  However, in reality we have found that there is a cultural inertia by the health providers to make the necessary changes. As an organisation, we are proactively bridging the gap between service users and service providers to create the necessary change.
• We have an excellent relationship with social services and early help. We often liaise on behalf of parents and carers to ensure families are fully supported. This can be in various capacities, including sign posting, translating, sharing information etc.
• Our staff regularly support parents and carers with EHCP’s and other forms. Families have often shared with us that they would really struggle with the support they receive from our service

Why can’t we meet every week or twice a month, once a month is not enough!

I really enjoyed the arts and crafts and worksheet games. Can we play Bingo next time?

I like the staff; you guys are really nice.

I have made a new friend. I can’t wait to meet her again.

Activity Location

Goal-Zone Suite at New York Stadium.