Last updated at 16:01, Friday, 02 November 2012

WE hope that everyone is enjoying half term.

IN THE SADDLE: Riding sessions for disabled children take place at Seaview on Walney. Oliver Winter rides a horse HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50037978B001

There are now lots of activities for children with a disability – far more than there was a few years ago.

One of the key factors in making things happen is the involvement of parents and carers.

Michelle McAveeney helps to organise many of the activities and she says the activities work because parents and carers are involved in planning.

“Barrow Sports Council started organising activities for children with a disability a few years ago,” says Michelle.

“Everything really took off when we started involving parents and carers. We meet parents and carers every half term. They help us to review the last school holiday and to plan the next one. Even though we’ve been doing activities for a few years, we are always trying new ideas. Some ideas come from us, but most of the new ideas come from parents and carers or the children themselves.”

This year, the activities have extended to include swimming lessons, a fun run, and a trip to the Lakes to go canoeing.

“Christmas is the only holiday when we don’t do something nearly every day. But we’ll have a few activities at Christmas, including a party at the Park Leisure Centre,” adds Michelle.

“As soon as half term is out of the way, we’ll be looking at Christmas.”

The meetings don’t only advise Barrow Sports Council on their activities but influence wider policy makers.

“We’ve done loads of work with the Park Leisure Centre and it gives parents and carers a chance to make comments on services run by Cumbria County Council, the health service and others,” explains Michelle.

“Because the group meets regularly and it covers a wide range of ages and disabilities, people really listen.”

The parents and carers will be meeting at the Nan Tait Centre, in Abbey Road, Barrow, at 7pm on Thursday November 15. If you want to help plan ahead, including planning activities for Christmas, why not join in?

You can just turn up (entrance from the car park) or give Michelle a call on 01229 407312. If you can’t make the meeting, there are other ways to keep in touch and get your views known, so just give Michelle a ring and see what’s best for you. Enjoy the rest of half term!

First published at 16:40, Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk