Playgroup for children with autism and their families comes back stronger after lockdowns

Little over three years ago, grandmother Deborah Lloyd created an activity group for children with autism and learning disabilities – Sparrows ALN.

The inspiration behind the group is Deborah’s grandson, Zack, who was diagnosed with autism as a two-year-old six years ago.

As the group grew in size, it offered activities such as soft play and swimming for the children and their siblings, as well as a chance for parents to get together to socialise and share their experiences of parenthood.

Sparrows held activities across Caerphilly County Borough and beyond – but then the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Lockdowns and coronavirus safety measures were in place across the country and so the activities weren’t able to go ahead.

However, when restrictions were eased in the summer, Sparrows was able to gradually get back up and running with activities such as rock climbing, horse riding, farm visits, archery and trampolining, as well as swimming and soft play.

This month, the group has began offering football and dance sessions at Sue Noake Leisure Centre in Ystrad Mynach, which will be held every fortnight going forward.

The group now has more than 1,100 members in its Facebook group – around 400 more than it had before the pandemic.

Deborah, who is known to group members as ‘Nana Deb’, said it was a “big relief” to be back.

Despite there still being restrictions on the number of children and parents who can attend Sparrows events, Deborah told Caerphilly Observer: “People are determined to come back and make up for lost time.

“We have a lot of new people coming in, as well as more older children, but there are still a lot of us who have been here since the first day.”

She added: “I was on such a high seeing the children come back – I had goosebumps.

“We’re like a big family. Our motto is ‘Together We’ll Fly’.”

The group, which relies on donations, is run by four unpaid volunteers – Sam Rouse, Katy Lloyd and Ffian Lewis, as well as Deborah.

Sara Elworthy, whose son Benajmin has attended Sparrows since it was founded, said the group had been a “life saver” and said: “What Nana Deb is doing is amazing”.

Mrs Elworthy used to take her children to neurotypical (non-autistic) soft play before the group was set up, but said the experience “wasn’t nice”.

She continued: “During Covid, the daily walks were a challenge for Benjamin. Now, we can get out and do stuff again.”

Mrs Elworthy also said it was “really nice” to be able to socialise with other parents in a similar situation to her.

She said: “Here, we don’t have to worry about what other people think. If I have a situation at home, I can discuss it with the other parents and share ideas.”

Mrs Elworthy’s husband, James, works at the Spar store in Trethomas, which regularly donates selection boxes and Easter Eggs to the group.

Caerphilly’s Senedd Member, Hefin David, said: “As a parent of a six-year-old daughter with autism, Sparrows sessions are invaluable.

“My daughter loves the structure and the swimming sessions on a Saturday. It’s great to be with like-minded parents who understand the challenges of engaging in activities with an autistic child.

“I just want to say thank you to Nana Deb and the whole Sparrows team for all the work they do.”

For more information about Sparrows, visit the group’s Facebook page.