Live chat
Short breaks in Hertfordshire
One of the difficulties facing parents and carers with SEND children and young people during the COVID-19 lockdown has been that attending actual short break activities as usual has not been possible.
However, providers are displaying some most creative ways of supporting families and still 'bringing the activities to them'.
What are short breaks?
The short breaks local offer (SBLO) is provided for families with children and young people with SEND, to give them the chance to spend time out with others socialising and doing fun activities. This gives the vulnerable families a break with the knowledge that their child is safe and well supported by a trained worker. Normally, activities range from play and leisure activities provided through community groups to overnight adventure activities such as camping. They include both holidays and weekend clubs.
Today however, with the social distancing measures we are all adhering to, most of these activities had to be suspended. This may pose an increased risk of social isolation for vulnerable children and families so these are the times where our most vulnerable people in social care need more support.
SBLO providers have not let them down. We have seen tremendous efforts deployed by many sectors to ensure people stay safe and well and our SBLO providers have gone the extra mile. They are working hard to bring a new virtual offer to families and to make sure that children can still enjoy meaningful activities and have fun in their own home.
Follow the links below to see what some of our providers and families have been doing
Please note:
Applications for SBLO via the HCC SBLO portal have been suspended because SBLO providers are unable to safely run SBLO Holiday clubs and activities due during these current circumstances. To access the providers' alternative online or telephone offers, please contact them directly, or follow their social media accounts. These activities are free so no prior booking via the SBLO website is required.
Short breaks in Hertfordshire – CHIPS
CHIPS (Broxbourne & East Herts) online offer has included no cost fun activities such as:
- Online games, activities , challenges
- Recipe of the week - Every week a contest/challenge takes place with a recipe or a lego model for children to make. Families are then invited to share the results with pictures
- Competition of the week - Easter was fun! and there was making a Lego model, a junk model and the best train track layout. Thanks to easter egg donations from #Waitrose, CHIP staff were able to deliver sweet treats to children and their homes
- AC Education -online training has produced a document ‘Understanding Anxiety ‘.to help parents understand and support their children’s anxieties around the current situation
- Time capsule - encouraging parents and children to record what activities they are doing during this period and their feelings , to look back on in the future
The team of course make regular telephone calls to the parents to check in on them.
Details here on how to contact CHIPS https://chipsplay.org/contact-us/
and more lockdown tips on their website here
https://chipsplay.org/about-us/lockdown-ideas-and-information/
Short breaks in Hertfordshire – SNAP (St Albans MENCAP)
SNAP (St Albans MenCap for Dacorum, St Albans and Wel/Hat)
were still able to support a week's Easter holiday club at Southfield School, to offer 1:1 support to children but also to support school staff looking after key workers' children. SNAP are planning to repeat this support over the May half term and in the summer.
And in the virtual world.... there is lots of fun to be had
An online drama workshop had 21 children attending . . .
 |
 |
| Here's one of the happy participants in the online drama class |
Online cooking sessions also drew lots of interest |
And on a Wednesday you'll find online music session and craft sessions on Thursdays. Find out more by contacting them at http://www.stalbansmencap.org.uk/contact
Here's some of the positive feedback from parents
Short breaks in Hertfordshire - Noah's Ark (Hertsmere MENCAP)
Noah's Ark staff have also been very busy
 |
 |
Completing the checklist for a visit
to the park! |
Another happy customer designing a fan! |
Staff have sent or delivered over 50 activity packs for young people, which also means they are able to have a chat (at a safe distance!) with some parents/carers, which has been welcomed by them.
Included in the packs are a ‘make your own fan’ which were sent with all the bits necessary and a guidance sheet. Noah's Ark have shared the guidance sheet here. Also in the pack is an emoji chart - a fun way for parents/carers to find out how a young person is feeling – download a copy here.
Noah's Ark online activities include:
Storytelling
Stories using Makaton
Signed song videos
-
-
Short Breaks in Hertfordshire - North Herts CVS
NHCVS Breakaway has made some online videos and stories
In this video Sam from Breakaway introduces their virtual programmes to families 
-
Breakaway's online platform will be uploaded with a variety of content including
- Videos for fun and easy activities to do at home
- Storytimes
- Animal time – facts and fun about our pets
- Exercise and movement and singalong sessions
- Sign language sessions
- Provide a guide outlining all the appropriate online resources that are available for SEND children and their families
- Potential for online gaming with a Playworker
- Youtube channel with arts & crafts and fun activities to do at home, body movement and singalong.
28 activity packs were delivered, along with Easter eggs.
The packs also included ideas to support sensory play.
The team will check in regularly with families over the phone to see how they are and if they need more ideas or activity packs
Short breaks in Hertfordshire – Jubilee House
Jubilee House, one of Hertfordshire's three respite centres is still providing overnight short breaks
Jubilee House is still providing day care activities to the children attending the overnight break and provided sessions throughout the Easter holidays at Peartree. In the lovely Easter weather, the young people were able to have fun in the garden,making the most of the sunshine.
Jubiliee is still providing families with much needed respite when the staffing is available, much to the relief of one family who said . . .
"it is amazing what Peartree are doing and we are so thankful we are able to still access sessions."
Watford Mencap extends its reach across Hertfordshire
Watford Mencap is open every day with online and telephone advice helpline support for people with learning disabilities and their families
Call 01923 713632
Some good news is, it has extended its geographic reach to the whole of Hertfordshire during this Covid-19 outbreak and is now working 7 days a week, providing great support such as
- Where to find information
- Help with basic essentials
- Applying for benefits
- Housing issues and
- An exciting library of online activities
Watford Mencap has also helped families by providing food boxes and even Easter eggs for children. Local business has helped with donations of personal protective equipment for Hertfordshire's children's workforce
Follow Watford Mencap on Facebook for daily updates and good news stories or on Twitter