Hampshire Now - your County Council magazine

Short Breaks: £100,000 fund to support Basingstoke families

Monday, 18 March 2013

Children with disabilities and their families in Basingstoke look set to benefit from more than £100,000 funding support from Hampshire County Council for specialist play activities in the coming year.

Subject to the agreement of the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services Cllr Roy Perry on 25 March, funding for 'short breaks' specialist play schemes in the borough will not only be maintained but there will be more choice offered to local families, with an extended range of providers in line for support.

The short breaks scheme ensures that children can take part in a range of safe, fun and interesting play schemes during school holidays and weekends, giving their carers much-needed breaks.

More than 3,500 children across Hampshire can take part in recreational and leisure activities each year thanks to the programme.

A panel that includes local parent representatives from Basingstoke has recommended that Cllr Perry awards three grants this year to provide a good mix of specialist play schemes that would be sustainable and offer more choice to local people.

They are:

  • Basingstoke Play Council, £30,689 recommended for holiday and some Saturday play sessions for children with learning disabilities and autism aged between 4 and 11 years.
  • Kids - Pebbles Holiday Play Scheme, £10,000 recommended towards a holiday play scheme for early years and primary-aged children, based at Kids Pebbles' site, Popley.
  • Disability Challengers, £65,000 recommended for holiday and Saturday play sessions for children aged 4-12 with complex needs and disabilities.

Councillor Perry said: "I know how important these short breaks services are to the families of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs and it's my aim to ensure that all children in Hampshire whatever their ability have the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in a range of educational and leisure opportunities.

"Funds awarded in this way enable voluntary sector organisations to continue to develop their services to meet families' needs, while achieving value for money and that's why I'm pleased to see that the proposals before me for Basingstoke give a good mix of provision for different ages, abilities and needs as well as maintaining activities that are successful and valued by local families."

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