Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
When Kayleigh Burridge’s son was diagnosed with Additional Learning Needs, she felt like she had little support and few resources to count on in Rhymney.
“When Theo, my little boy, was going through diagnosis, there was no support for us as a family from where we live and the resources were very, very poor,” said Kayleigh.
“The only thing we really had were parents who had gone through it before,” she added.
Kayleigh voiced her concerns about the lack of support. “I would bang on to everybody who’d listen about how there was no support,” she said. That included talking to her health visitor about the problem, who one day turned to Kayleigh and suggested she should start something.
So that’s exactly what she did. She’s starting Teddy’s Support Group for children with additional learning needs this April in Rhymney along with her friend Keighley McDuff.
The group is named after Kayleigh’s son Theodore, who is her “inspiration” for starting it up. It aims to replicate some of the useful support that she has experienced, including invaluable support from parents or guardians who had been in the same position.
“The aim is for parents or guardians to share best practice of what they’ve gone through, what’s worked well for them and help and support other people who are going through it,” added Kayleigh.
It will provide a safe space, according to Kayleigh who said: “I think it’s important to have somewhere where people can come and chat and let their kids play without judgement and worry when they’re there.”
There will also be professionals, such as a health visitor and family liaison officer, on hand who can give advice and “extra help”.
And, of course, it will provide a place for children with any sort of additional learning needs to come and play in a safe area with sensory equipment.
Though there’s only enough room for ten children plus parents at the moment due to space constraints. This is also an important aspect – making sure no attendees are overwhelmed.
“Some children get overwhelmed by noises and things like that,” added Kayleigh.
What are additional learning needs?
The Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021 (the ALN Code) defines “additional learning needs” or “ALN” as:
(1) A person has additional learning needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability (whether the learning difficulty or disability arises from a medical condition or otherwise) which calls for additional learning provision.
(2) A child of compulsory school age or person over that age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:
- has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
- has a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities for education or training of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream maintained schools or mainstream institutions in the further education sector.
The sessions will take place at St David’s Community Centre, Rhymney. There are two dates set for April 6 and 13.
Kayleigh has already had lots of interest, from families and even schools who want her to expand the project.
“I’m blown away,” she said about the response.
The popularity may reflect the lack of resources in the area and an increased need for them.
“There are groups that are set up that do fabulous things for children with autism but they’re down the valley,” said Kayleigh, mentioning that provisions such as disability swim are in Risca – a journey of more than 16 miles by car.
“We live in a very poor area and the transport is really bad,” she added, “a lot of people don’t drive and they can’t get to these places.
“Nobody’s bringing stuff up here for them to do anything.”
Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David recently highlighted how important community support groups can be and called for more ALN provision support from the Welsh Government.
Dr David called Caerphilly borough-based ALN groups such as Sparrows, an activity group for children with autism and learning disabilities and Valley Daffodils, a community group for children and adults with disabilities and additional needs, “community lifelines”.
Teddy’s has received some funding from Caerphilly County Borough Council, which will cover the sensory equipment and the hall hire for a short period of time.
Cllr Carol Andrews, council cabinet member for Education and Communities, said: “Caerphilly CBC have worked alongside GAVO, the Parent Network and Mudiad Meithrin to support volunteers to set up a number of sustainable early years settings and re-establish those affected by the pandemic.
“These include a number of parent and toddler groups, play and coffee chat sessions including the recently set up Teddy’s ALN Support Group, based in Rhymney.
“Groups and individuals volunteering to set up family support community groups are welcome to contact our Early Years Team on 01443 863232 or email earlyyearshub@caerphilly.gov.uk to find out what support and advice is available.”
Sessions after those planned in April will depend on Teddy’s being able to cover the costs of the hall.
Kayleigh said: “We don’t want anything from it we just want to be able to afford to hire out the hall when our short little bit of funding runs out.” This would mean a £2.50 fee for each session.
There also needs to be a demand for the group – but this is likely given the positive response.
Ultimately it’s about providing support. “I just hope that everyone comes along and has a good time and that we help and do the best we can for everyone,” she added.
“I’m hoping that people will want it to continue.”
Teddy’s ALN Support Group will run on April 6 and 13 at St David’s Community Centre. The first session is free and the second session is £2.50.
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today