Happy New Year from all of us at SPACE Hertfordshire! We’re thrilled to welcome you back as we get ready for another fantastic year together. Over the festive season, our children and young people, and parent/carers were buzzing with excitement as they made magical memories. From meeting the big man himself at Breakfast with Santa and our lively SPACE Christmas Party, to whizzing down the slopes at Doughnutting and getting our headsets on at Gaming Club – there was something for everyone to participate in.
CHEXS Real Talk Parenting Hub
At the beginning of the month, Hayley and Lisa from our Family Support Team had the pleasure of being guest speakers at CHEXS’s Real Talk Parenting Hub. They shared all the fantastic services and support SPACE offers for CHEXS families and had meaningful one-on-one conversations with parents seeking specialised SEND support. It’s always a joy collaborating with CHEXS, and we’re excited to continue this partnership in 2025!
A magical Breakfast with Santa
December was tree-mendous for all of the families of neurodivergent children and young people, who experienced the joy of meeting Santa over a scrumptious breakfast! The Red House pub in Croxley Green was filled with festive cheer as Santa made his grand entrance, just in time for a tasty meal and to hand out presents. Families enjoyed a relaxed and magical morning, where children and young people spent quality time with the man in red, creating special memories in a warm and welcoming setting. A huge thank you to Dee and the wonderful team at The Red House for hosting these enchanting sessions once again.
We attended as a family of six- two parents, a grandparent and three children (a six year old and two teenagers) and everyone really loved it – even the teenagers. The atmosphere was calm and not too busy so just right for not overwhelming the neurodivergent people in our family. Santa was great, allowing the children to engage at a level that they felt comfortable with…Thank you so much. We hope to come again next year!
We also can’t wait to do it all again next year – Santa, we’re counting down the days!
SPACE Christmas Party
The festive spirit was in full swing when Santa also joined us at our SPACE Christmas Party! Excited children and young people, and their parent/carers arrived in their best Christmas jumpers and party outfits, ready for a day of festive fun.
From biscuit decorating and crafting Christmas masterpieces to relaxing on beanbags, building with Lego, and exploring the sensory wonderland of ‘snow,’ there was something for everyone. Games like snowball tossing and Rudolph hooping brought endless laughter, leading up to a lively Christmas boogie and a special visit to Santa’s grotto.
My son is 6 years old and is non speaking. He is usually very nervous and doesn’t like events but the SPACE Christmas party was perfectly done not too noisy and lots of sensory toys and games for him to do and he really enjoyed himself. He even felt comfortable enough and met Father Christmas which is something he wouldn’t usually like to do!
A huge thank you to Martin and the team at Elite Project Services for providing gifts for over 250 children and young people throughout December. And to everyone who joined us – thank you for making the day so magical!
Festive Parent/Carer Pottery Painting
Our parent/carers took a well-deserved break to unwind and get creative at a calming Pottery Painting session. The evening was a wonderful oasis of calm amidst the festive hustle and bustle, with participants crafting beautiful pieces for themselves and loved ones. From festive ornaments to personalised mugs, the creativity on display was inspiring!
This session wasn’t just about painting – it was about creating space for our parent/carers to relax, recharge and connect with one another in a supportive and welcoming environment.
We’re already planning more opportunities for parent/carers to enjoy some much-needed ‘me time’ and peer connection in the coming year. Take a look here.
Parent/Carer Christmas Support Groups
Our parent/carer support groups in Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Hoddesdon, and Croxley Green were brimming with Christmas cheer this season! 60 parent/carers joined us to connect, share experiences and get creative with some fabulous Christmas crafts.
The atmosphere was warm, supportive and a little sparkly as attendees enjoyed crafting festive decorations, including adorable reindeer ornaments and beautifully designed festive jars with twinkling lights. It was a wonderful opportunity to relax, sip a cuppa, chat with SPACE staff and meet other parents in a welcoming environment.
Reminder: Spring Term Free Workshops and Courses have started
We’re excited to offer over 40 workshops and courses this Spring Term for parents, carers, and young people! From understanding neurodiverse conditions to learning practical tools and strategies, there’s something to empower everyone.
Our ‘Understand My Autism and ADHD’ courses for young people are also open for booking, with sessions in January and February for school years 3-6, 7-9, and 10-11.
Places are limited – book now to secure your spot. Can’t attend live? Don’t worry – recordings are available for 7 days after each session. The majority of our workshops and courses are funded by Hertfordshire County Council.
Behind the scenes
We’re wrapping up this update with a special twist by giving you a glimpse behind the scenes at our SPACE HQ! Our dedicated Santa’s elves were kept busy wrapping gifts for the children and young people who attended our Christmas party in December. Thanks to the generosity of our very own Christmas angels at Elite Project Services every child at the party received a special gift to make the day even more unforgettable. Seeing the smiles on the faces of our children and young people throughout December made all the wrapping paper cuts worth it – it’s what Christmas is all about!
See you soon
We are excited to see you soon and already looking forward to creating new memories with everyone in our community. Our events, workshops and courses are already in full swing – you can have a look at what’s going on and book tickets by heading over to the SPACE Hertfordshire website.
