'Invited to Belong' - a new additional needs training resource developed by Urban Saints in partnership with Youthscape - launched at the National Youth Ministry Weekend in Birmingham, November 2021. Additional Needs Ministry Director, Mark Arnold, presented the resource, alongside Jemimah Allen from Youthscape and then free copies of 'Invited to Belong' were given to … Continue reading Invited To Belong
They have done it again! Watching the John Lewis Christmas 2021 advert had me welling up in tears as I saw, once again, a story of inclusion unfolding before me. Like in 2019 with the story of Edgar the dragon and his friend Ava, the new advert showcases how to be inclusive of someone who … Continue reading How The John Lewis Christmas 2021 Advert Showcases Inclusion (Again!)
One in five of the 13 million children and young people in the UK have additional needs of some kind, that’s approximately 2.5 million children and young people, yet many people, including lots of professionals, people running children's and youth work, and more, struggle to understand the best ways to be inclusive when engaging with … Continue reading Want To Be Inclusive? Just ASK!
This week, the BBC announced a new presenter for their premier younger children’s media channel, CBeebies. What made this announcement newsworthy, and why in particular it matters to this blog, is that 20-year-old George Webster has Down’s Syndrome. George isn’t the first BBC presenter to have a disability or difference; former CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell, … Continue reading George Webster And CBeebies: Why Disability Representation Matters
As part of its ongoing research partnership with Pears Foundation, the Disabled Children's Partnership (DCP) of which I'm a member, surveyed roughly 300 parents in June 2021 in our final survey as part of the series. I had the privilege of being one of those parents. The findings, released today, reveal that whilst the rest … Continue reading Left Behind – Children With Additional Needs As We Emerge From The COVID-19 Pandemic
Previously, I've reminded us of the “Go Compare!” TV advert and how we should “Go Cherish!” instead when thinking about the children and young people we journey with that have additional needs (see link at the end of this blog post). This time, I want to remind us of another TV advert and how it … Continue reading Make Sure We Make The Right Choice. Because Sometimes We Don’t, Do We?
It’s one of the best-known stories in the Bible, and one which is, rightly, often used to show how much Jesus cares for all children. But if we take a step back from this much-loved story, from the picture of Jesus surrounded by children, maybe with one on his knee, there are other players in … Continue reading Little Children Are Brought to Jesus – Which Character In The Story Are You?
Do you remember summers as a child? I do. For some reason I remember them as going on forever; long fun packed days playing in the sun (or sometimes huddled in a tent or caravan watching monsoon weather sweeping across wherever we were visiting!) This year's summer has been different in many ways, but perhaps … Continue reading Making Wonderful Summer Memories That Last A Lifetime
Parents of children with additional/special needs and disabilities are often labelled negatively; ‘troublemakers’, ‘confrontational’, ‘needy’, ‘over-sharing’. I’ve seen parents blamed for their child’s disability. I’ve seen parents told that they have no right to speak on behalf of, or share details about, their child. I’ve seen parents told that they are wrong to feel or … Continue reading Special Needs Parents Are Candles, Burning Between Hope And Despair
Let me give you a little glimpse into how my mind works sometimes…. My family and I were watching Ben Fogle, his ‘New Lives In The Wild’ show on Channel 5, have you seen it? It’s about people who have given up the rat-race and gone to live a life in the wild places; it’s … Continue reading ‘The Dads Fire Circle’, A Place For Additional Needs Dads To Gather
Delightful Handmade Dog Products and Gifts
An additional needs Dad and Son baking adventure...
Special Education Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
