Summer fun at SEN schools through Antrim and Newtownabbey council funding

Children who attend Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, including Riverside, Jordanstown, Rostulla, Hill Croft and Thornfield, enjoyed a fun-filled Summer Scheme thanks to a grant of £5,000 each, provided by the council.

The Mayor gets creative with The Little Mermaid and Spider-Man at Crumlin Leisure Centre’s Inclusive Family Fun Day. | Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

placeholder image — The Mayor gets creative with The Little Mermaid and Spider-Man at Crumlin Leisure Centre’s Inclusive Family Fun Day. | Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

The funding enabled schools to provide a range of engaging and inclusive activities, including arts and crafts, sports, sensory play and other interactive experiences tailored to the needs and interests of the children.

The summer schemes provided an opportunity for children to develop new skills, explore their creativity and most importantly, have fun with their friends and classmates in a supportive environment.

Founder of Sensory Kids, Kathryn Davidson; Lady Mayoress, Siobhan Murray; Mayor, Councillor Henry Cushinan; Director of The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, Chris Flynn; and Disability Sport NI Regional Development Officer, Niall Irwin. | Antrim and Newtownabbey Brough Council

In addition to the SEN school projects, the council ran a series of inclusive summer events for children and families across the borough.

These activity days were held at Antrim Forum, Crumlin Leisure Centre, Fairview Primary School and Mossley Pavillion in partnership with Mae Murray Foundation, and for the first time, the Council was pleased to provide Stay and Play sessions in partnership with Sensory Kids at The Junction.

Following a visit to some of the inclusive summer schemes and events, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan said:
“It was excellent to see first-hand the positive impact that the Council’s funding has had to the children and young people across our borough.

"I would like to thank all the schools, staff, families and organisations involved in making these summer programmes such a success.”

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Alison Bennington, shows a child at Hill Croft School’s Summer Scheme her Mayoral chain. | Antrim and Newtownabbey Brough Council

A parent whose child attended one of the events said: ”My child absolutely loved every minute of the fun day in Crumlin. Meeting his favourite Spider-Man and seeing the alpaca with Blackberry Farm were his highlights!
"Events like this are so special and give children the chance to just be themselves and simply have fun in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a fantastic day!”