PROVIDERS’ SECTION

Welcome to our providers of short breaks!
Following a strict commissioning process, these providers have been chosen to offer a short break opportunity to the disabled children and families on the Island.

Beaulieu House Residential Unit

This is a local authority-run service which offers overnight stays, tea visits and outreach into the community. As this unit caters for the most severe and complex levels of need, children and young people are referred to this service.

Family Link

Another local authority run service which sits with Fostering & Adoption. This connects a disabled child and their parents/carers with another family who offer overnight stays and day care in the carer’s home. Potential carers are screened using the same thorough process as for foster carers with the result that carers often sustain long ties with the other family.

Carisbrooke Contact Centre

A local authority run service based in Carisbrooke, which offers a mix of domiciliary care (help in the home with washing, dressing and toileting) and outreach into the community (access to everyday activities with the support of a helper).

Core Disability Services

A private company commissioned to work with the local authority will offer a retained carer for overnight stays and support with domiciliary care. Also a Youth club for teenagers based in Shanklin from September. Core Disability is registered with two inspection bodies: Care Quality Commission and Ofsted to ensure that care offered is of the highest quality.

Gamezone (NAS)

Run by a parent, supported by the National Autistic Society, this is a gamezone club for teenagers with ASD which is held at the Isle of Wight College – usually term-time.

Goodleaf Tree Climbing

Tree climbing is a relative new adventure activity in the UK. Goodleaf Tree Climbing have been running recreational tree climbing on the Isle of Wight for nearly five years. Many different people have been taken climbing: children, families, senior citizens, adults with learning difficulties, scout groups – a wide variety of people. Special Branch is funded by Aiming High to enable children with additional needs to experience this activity.

Isle of Wight Inclusives

This club originated thanks to a young lad of nine who wanted an inclusive club. With the support of parents, this club is now run by the children who belong to the club. It offers weekly sessions during term time for those who want to play football at Sandown High and a new club has just begun in Newport with the support of Carol Ward, Extended Schools’ Manager.

Lego Club (NAS)

Supported by the National Autistic Society, this club has been set up by parents who have experience of ASD and is now running at Newport C of E Primary school in Newport. This is a specialist activity club for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder – initially for those younger children but it is hoped that the club will expand to include teenagers.

Nettlecombe Farm Holidays

Run by an Island family, this farm is located in an idyllic setting in Whitwell on the Island. It has three coarse fishing lakes, personal tuition on offer and luxury accommodating for families who wish to have a short break. Perfect for days out for family and friends.

Play Rangers

Supported by Lottery funding and the IW Council, the play rangers offer play sessions all across the Island. They have received training to run play sessions at the special schools and these have been very successful. Siblings are welcome if space allows.

The Children’s Society

A large national organisation which exists to support the needs of children, this Society is already active on the Island. It intends to offer specialist play groups for 0 – 5’s at the eight Children’s Centres on the Island.

UKSA

Well-known on the Island, this is a registered charity that is committed to changing the lives of everyone it works with through its maritime training and experience. The charity has improved the lives of many young people and offers personal development opportunities. Offering 1:1 tuition on a range of water sports and sailing activities during the day.

West Wight Sports Centre

Well known in the West Wight, this sports centre now offers specialist swimming sessions with additional staff. Some staff have received training in the Halliwick method and personal tuition is available – either on a 1:1 basis or as part of a mainstream lesson.

YMCA

YMCA Fairthorne Group’s mssion is to champion and add value to young lives by providing experiences that challenge, enable and develop the individual. Winchester House, in Shanklin offer holiday play sessions – based on day camps. Siblings welcomed. 4 – 14 years.