The support service has been commissioned by HeadStart Wolverhampton and will be delivered by Include Me TOO, a national charity based at the city’s Newhampton Arts Centre.
Include Me TOO piloted the service early this year in response to families’ concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of disabled children and young people.
Restrictions meant they were unable to access educational settings, or physiotherapy, speech and language or behavioural support services.
The new support service aims to help disabled children, young people and their siblings better understand and manage their emotions and feelings through a series of sensory and holistic interventions.
Include Me TOO will deliver a programme of workshops offering a range of approaches, activities and strategies to support young people’s mental and sensory wellbeing.
They will provide access to a range of sensory holistic resources, including sensory therapy workshops covering mindfullness, yoga, meditation, sensory safe spaces and ground techniques, as well as a range of inclusive resources to improve mental and emotional wellbeing.
Families will need to register for this free service and places are limited due to the commitment required from each family to complete the programme. For more information, please call Include Me TOO on 07940 367753 or email Mina Patel via im2@includemetoo.org.uk.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of disabled children and young people. They have experienced increased isolation, while many siblings have also been confined to the home while their brother or sister was shielded.
“Include Me TOO has supported young people and their families throughout the pandemic, and I am delighted that HeadStart Wolverhampton has now commissioned the charity to provide this emotional and wellbeing sensory support service to more local residents over the next 12 months.”
Include Me TOO has supported thousands of families with disabled children and young people in Wolverhampton since 2002. To find out more about the charity, please visit Include Me TOO.
