Mind the gap with Greenlight!

Well on Saturday 22nd June all roads will lead to Greenlight Garden Centre in Ballycastle for a free fun filled afternoon and Open Day from 12-3pm to launch and give everyone the first taste of The Junior GAP Project.

Everyone is invited to come and join us celebrate the launch of our new Children in Need Project for Children and Young People aged 5+ with learning difficulties and Special Education Needs.

Kerry Patton, the newly arrived Children and Youth Worker who is managing the project is delighted to also let us all know “there will be refreshments, activities, arts and crafts and DJing as well as music, games and much much more. In fact, I am delighted to let everyone know that Pudsey from BBC Children in Need will be a special guest on the day and will be joining in the fun.”

Ann McIlroy of Greenlights says, “Kerry will be a familiar name and face to many of the new members having been part of the very successful S’inc Project also funded by Children in Need. Greenlight are delighted to welcome her and her years of experience and enthusiasm into our growing team.”

Kerry goes on to say: “The Junior GAP Project funded by BBC Children In Need is a ‘peer led’ rural project for children and young people aged 5– 16 with learning disabilities and special educational needs which has been developed by Greenlight Gateway.

“The focus of the ‘GAP Project’ is to offer advice, signposting and support to the young people and their families approaching and going through the transitional phase from primary school to high school.

“The programme will provide ‘in house’ and ‘mobile’ programmes such as ‘after schools’ and ‘social clubs’.

“These ‘workshops’ will empower and enable participants to learn about basic, core and life skills in a friendly non-evasive environment, with the support of peer buddies and adult volunteers promoting inclusion at this exciting but challenging phase in their lives.

“A ‘person-centred approach’ will be used to meet participant`s interests, needs and abilities in an imaginative and creative way such as dance, drums, photography, arts and crafts etc... to allow self-esteem and confidence to build whilst equipping the children and young people with the tools to positively engage in education and social settings taking control of their own journey moving into adolescence.”

But listen, don’t just take Kerry’s word for it.

Get yourself along to Greenlight Garden Centre on Saturday 22nd June and find out what all the buzz is about. Don’t fall through the Gap..!