One session that we introduced this year was Inclusive Cafe. These sessions, aimed at our older participants between the ages of 18-25 are hosted in the Tea Chest, a bustling and busy cafe in the heart of Solihull.
These sessions were designed to provide our participants with a sense of responsibility in the form of supported work experience. This includes helping with food running, preparation, taking orders and helping to both set up and clear up. There is also an opportunity to build social relationships with peers, with time for individuals to sit and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat around their responsibilities.
We could sit all day and explain all of the wonderful benefits that this session has, however here are just a few:
Of course, work experience. We understand that living with special educational needs and disabilities can make it tough to access work experience. This supported experience ensures that every disability is taken into consideration and catered to, allowing the individuals to meet their highest potential.
Reducing isolation is a great benefit to these sessions. Since the pandemic, isolation has massively increased- so we intend to get our young people out and about and into their local community. Even if it’s just one day a week, having fun out of their homes or an educational setting can do wonders for mental health.
This session really focuses on a sense of responsibility. Taking ownership of taking orders, clearing up and helping customers will create a sense of purpose within the young people that attend. Because they are helping and making a direct impact to their community, a heightened sense of purpose that is intended to positively impact their mental health.
Building and developing friendships with others who have similar lived experiences outside of the educational sphere is also so valuable to our participants. These wonderful relationships gained have led to further developments in other areas of their life.
A little like the work experience, we actually host a volunteering programme for young people to help out here at Inclusive Sports Academy. If these sessions go well, and the participant would like to continue their journey with further experience, we provide the chance to chat with a member of the team and take their areas of responsibility to other aspects of Inclusive Sports.
Sounds good? We think so too.
You can still book onto the remaining sessions of Inclusive Cafe via Class for Kids. Each session costs £8.50, and we offer a free taster session to all newcomers. We have a month left of this session, so make sure to come along before 13th December!
If you would like to get some more info about Inclusive Cafe, please get in touch with louise@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
If you have a story you would like to share about your loved one who attends Inclusive Sports Academy and would like a chance to be involved with this blog, please email caitlin@inclusivesportsacademy.org.
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