Welcome to

Background to

Is a charitable company based in Clackmannanshire since 1992, providing play and social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and additional support needs.

to offer respite and support to families and carers Our specific aims are: to provide valuable voluntary and work experience opportunities for the carers of tomorrow to increase awareness of disability issues and promote inclusion and understanding in the wider community

A Brief History  Play Alloa was started by a small group of concerned parents who felt there was nothing for their special children to do out of school.  It was initially based in Fairfield School, in Sauchie, then it moved to Sauchiehall.  Play Alloa became a registered Charity in 1995 and a charitable company in 2010  In 2012 Play Alloa moved to Hawkhill Community Centre.  We currently support over 130 families across the district.

Play Alloa exists because every child has the basic human right to play, have friends and enjoy their free time... as stated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This set of articles also states that disabled children & young people have a right to special care and support so they can live full and independent lives.

We currently provide: A weekly Parent/Carer/Toddlers session 2 x weekly Saturday Play Sessions (Tillicoultry and Alloa) providing free play for approximately 50 children and a valuable respite opportunity for families under stress 2 x weekly Youth Clubs for 16 young people aged 12-16, in Alloa and Tillicoultry 3 x weekly Active Life Skills Day Sessions specifically for young women or young men aged developing Health, Wellbeing, Confidence, Physical Participation etc A weekly adult Social Group for approximately 30 adults aged 16+

A number of school holiday Play Schemes catering for around children each day as well as a number of summer trips for families/youth club members Individualised adult support on a 1:1 basis (for 8 families who access direct payments) A range of befriending opportunities for children including 1:1 befriending, group activity sessions and in-session buddies A range of parent information sessions (once or twice a month) and a monthly Parent Support Group

Over 130 families/children/adults Range of complex conditions 50% Autism/ASD/ADHD/Aspergers 15% Downs Syndrome 15% Behavioural Difficulties 10% Global Learning Delays 5% Cerebral Palsy or other named conditions 5% other additional support need Autism Downs Syndrome Global Learning Delays Behavioural Difficulties Cerebral Palsy ADHD Conditions

 By allowing a child/adult time to relax, have fun, be themselves and freely choose their own play/social experience, in a non-judgemental and supported environment, that we can increase confidence and self esteem allowing for participation in more mainstream activities  Although we acknowledge and understand the variety of disabilities and ASN’s,  we do not concentrate on the condition,  we concentrate on the individual

“ The holiday playschemes have literally been a lifesaver !” “My child loves coming here and [Play Alloa] has changed my child a lot. When he comes home he’s a totally different person, he can be who he really is there, that’s what he tells me”. ““There is nothing else. If Play Alloa wasn’t here we would have to go much further afield and probably wouldn’t manage to get anything for our child”. “Staff and volunteers work extremely hard to make this provision meet the needs of the young folk” “My Child really looks forward to going to the group on a Saturday”

 Play can be defined as child like behaviour which is ‘freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated’.  It is through play that children understand each other and make sense of the world around them.  Play is innate in every child no matter their ability or disability  Every child has the basic legal right to play (UNCRC)  Play can develop emotional, social and cognitive skills  Many children with ASN and disabilities are isolated from normal play situations  This can lead to ‘play deprivation’

 Play is a way for children to experience the world, to challenge themselves and test out different emotions and feelings.  It allows the child to gain confidence in their own abilities and raises self esteem.  It practices scary situations and challenges children to push their own boundaries allowing them to grow as a person.  It teaches them how to share, be a part of a group/community and to make their own choices  It practices social situations and friend-making.

 The first 5 years of a child's life are crucial to both cognitive and emotional development  Isolation and lack of stimulation can stunt and negatively impact a child's development  Children with disabilities and ASN are often isolated from social interaction  It is of critical importance that early stimulation and intervention programmes be made available to children with disabilities  As they mature, they can benefit greatly from contact with other children with disabilities and additional support needs who can act as role models

 Understand and practice social situations  Experience play and have fun  Understand personal safety  Develop life skills  Be confident enough to say no  Experience making their own choices  Learn how to use public transport and facilities  Understand their own sexuality  Feel a sense of belonging, acceptance and inclusion  Be supported by their families and carers

Children/young people who are deprived of play and social experiences can struggle in adulthood. They can feel isolated, alone and depressed They can experience intense anxiety They can act inappropriately They can become aggressive and challenging They can become overly emotional and upset They can lose their confidence and self esteem They can feel unable to make choices and decisions

 Play Alloa abides by 8 nationally recognised Playwork Principles:  These Principles establish the professional and ethical framework for playwork and as such must be regarded as a whole.  They describe what is unique about play and playwork, and provide the playwork perspective for working with children and young people  They are based on the recognition that children and young people’s capacity for positive development will be enhanced if given access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.

1. All children and young people have the need to play. 2. Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. 3. The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process. 4. For playworkers, the play process takes precedence when engaging with adult led agendas. 5. The role of the playworker is to support all children and young people in the creation of a space in which they can play. 6. The playworker’s response to children and young people playing is based on a sound up to date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice. 7. Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space. 8. Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children and young people to extend their play.

 Children/adults with disabilities and asn have a basic need to play/socialise just like anyone else  Children/adults with disabilities and asn have the same human right as anyone else to play, enjoy their free time and make friends  Children/adults with disabilities and asn may need help and support to access play/social activities

Thanks for your interest, we look forward to working with you!