Hurrah! We’ve made it through the month of January! We hope you’re having a wonderful start to 2024 and you’ve been keeping up with SPACE post-Christmas.
We kicked off our Spring term training schedule for parent/carers, our Community Engagement team attended a number of coffee mornings and we announced a new charity partner. New memories were also created with our families at the many events that took place – stay tuned for more details.
Psst! Our Fundraising team released a new 2024 challenge – it’s bouncy, it’s big and it’s not to be missed!
Community and Engagement
Collaborating with our local communities and building strong relationships with schools is one of our key focuses this year. It’s extremely important that we share the valuable work of SPACE and what we offer.
Visiting schools and participating in coffee mornings to share the support available to families at SPACE as well as talking to parent/carers about any specific challenges they are working through at the moment is often a really important first step for families on their journey.
As part of the Autism in Schools project, our team recently visited Richard Hale School and St Joseph School. Talking all things SPACE, they also headed into Simon Balle School to meet parent/carers from both the primary and secondary years. The sessions were well attended and provided opportunity to voice barriers families face including getting their young person out and about doing things, concluding with brainstorming to develop ideas and strategies by the team.
At the end of last month, our team attended an engaging event hosted by our friends at DSPL2. During the event, Deena from Hertfordshire City Council gave an insightful talk on early years funding.
A visit from the Mayor!
The Hoddesdon Support group was honoured to welcome the Mayor of Broxbourne, Councillor Paul Seeby. The Mayor listened empathetically as many of our parent/carers shared insight into their daily lives, their journeys and their challenges, particularly struggles with accessing services.
Paul Seeby then spoke of some of his own struggles growing up and the importance of creating a neurodiverse-friendly and accessible work and school space.
Springing into action – new term workshops and courses
At SPACE, we understand the challenges neurodivergent children and young people can face. Our free workshops and courses are designed to give parent/carers and professionals the strategies and tools they need to better support them.
Our Spring term training schedule is now underway! We began in January with a series of informative workshops, including EHCP New Applications, Autistic Girls, Anger and Conflict, and Navigating the SEND World, among others. We have held a mix of 18 workshops and courses so far, 1,394 parent/carers registered to attend.
Find out more about other workshops and courses on offer and get booked on: SPACE Hertfordshire eventbrite.
Calling all fundraising heroes
Bounce on to Team SPACE – St Albans Inflatables 2024! No matter your age or ability, this is a fun event for all of the family. Support SPACE by taking on the bounciest event of the year – jump, dance and slide your way to victory this April.
The 2024 race course has less running and even more obstacles – with new bouncy stations and pumping music zones. The event is family friendly and open to ages five and above – taking place in St Albans with 4 distances to choose from; 2.5K, 5K, 10K and 15K.
This is an event not to be missed. Click here to find out more and join Team SPACE.
Welwyn Support group x PoetsIN
We were delighted to welcome Helen Shelswell from PoetsIN (an award-winning creative mental health charity) to our first Welwyn Garden City parents and carers support group of the year.
What better way to beat the January blues than by delving into a bit of mindfulness. Helen talked the group through ways to help calm our busy minds with Free Thought Writing, Worry Charts and looking at things that make us happy and grateful. Thank you Helen!
Fundraising spotlight: Rotary Satellite Club of Welwyn Garden City
Families were on the lookout for Santa Claus courtesy of the Rotary Satellite Club of Welwyn Garden City over November and December – the club were busier than Santa’s elves raising funds through a Santa Sleigh tour and collections whilst bringing a real festive atmosphere to the local town.
“As the dad of an autistic son and a son with ADHD, I cannot stress how important SPACE has been in our lives. We have attended many of their events and are huge supporters of the work they are doing to support neurodiversity and the challenges that presents to young people. It was also fantastic to hear feedback from those who we met during the Santa Sleigh this year who are benefitting from their support” – Iain Critchley, Chair of the WGC Rotary Satellite Group.
The team at SPACE feel honoured to have been selected as the Presidents Charity to receive a donation from the funds raised, a generous sum of £1000. This money will unlock vital support to families facing challenges and requiring bespoke support. Thank you Rotary Satellite Club of Welwyn Garden City for all your fundraising efforts!
SPACE announced as new charity partner
Helping Herts recently shared a social media post announcing “We are delighted to confirm our 12 children’s charity partners for 2024! Most of these you will already recognise from being our partners over the last year or two but we would like to welcome SPACE Hertfordshire to the Helping Herts campaign!
SPACE work with neurodivergent children and young people across Hertfordshire. If a child is diagnosed or waiting for a diagnosis for Autism, ADHD or other neurodiverse conditions, SPACE provide support, workshops and training and events for the child and their family.”
The team were thrilled by the news and are excited for what the partnership may bring. We feel honoured to have been selected, you can find out more about the work Helping Herts do here.
January fun at SPACE
Reaching new heights
Our Events team added an ‘Indoor Climbing Experience’ to our brilliant activities line-up.
Our young explorers went on a sky high adventure – climbing and exploring the different walls and challenges whilst developing important skills such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork.
New experiences, skills, memories and beyond!
SPACE events provide the chance to try brilliant new activities, meet up with other neurodivergent children and young people and share family experiences you’ll never forget. January didn’t fail to disappoint despite the frosty weather.
Our little explorers headed to The Patch kitted out in wellies, cozy jackets and winter hats ready for an outdoor free-play session at the start of the month. Fun was had by all who dared to brave the cold.
Girls Group was the place to be on Friday evening for our young girls with giggles, crafts and catching up with peers. Other activities included Doughnutting, Wellbeing Walk in the Woods, Children’s Online Art with the theme ‘Monkeying Around’, SPACE to Drive, Therapeutic Farming, Junior Online Cooking, Teens Online Cooking, Aerial Gymnastics at Studio Fly, Ranger Stu’s Virtual Zoo, Teens Online Art with the theme ‘Monkey Business’, SPACE to Graffiti, Introduction to Rollerskating and Lego Club to name a few.
Come along to a SPACE event soon – check out our latest activities, and training and courses: SPACE Hertfordshire eventbrite.
