18 September 2017

YMCA East Surrey offers school holiday playschemes for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities at the YMCA Sovereign Centre in Reigate, providing much needed short breaks for many local families.

This summer, 88 children with complex needs and aged between 5 and 11 attended the Yippee playscheme. 45 young people with disabilities aged 12-18 enjoyed the Yip4Youth school holiday scheme.

Staff and volunteers accompanied groups on outings to Tilgate Park, the Box Hill nature trail, Chessington, the Look Out Discovery Centre, Kew Gardens, the Wetlands Centre and the seaside. They went swimming and were also lucky enough to take part in an amazing Olympic park tour. 

Days when the sessions were based at the Sovereign Centre were filled with science experiments, animal crafts, circus skills, cooking, trampolining, gardening and time on the bouncy castle. Water fights featured in the schedule too and were a huge hit with all involved!

“As always, we were especially grateful for our fantastic volunteers who helped make all the activities possible this summer,” said YMCA Short Breaks Manager, Stuart Cox. “The Chessington trip in particular involved ten volunteers, four of whom work for Surrey County Council, and the day was enormous fun.” 

Find out more about volunteering with YMCA East Surrey or call the YMCA Sovereign Centre on 01737 222859 for more information.