It’s plain abseiling for North Warwickshire families
Kayaking, abseiling and wall climbing are just a few of the activities on offer for families this summer thanks to a scheme involving Warwickshire County Council’s Extended Services team.
Aiming High is a government funded project, administered in Warwickshire by the Integrated Disability Service, which supports families where one child has a special educational need.
In North Warwickshire, this summer, Aiming High is funding transport to, and activities at, Kingsbury Water Park Outdoor Education Centre for over 50 families over a period of four days.
Cluster co-ordinators from schools in the Polesworth, Kingsbury and Coleshill areas liaised with teaching staff and identified families who, it was felt, would reap special benefit from the scheme.
Although Aiming High originally had a remit to fund activities at special schools, this year it has broadened the brief to target families with a child at other schools in the community.
Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Kingsbury Water Park offers a superb range of activities which are ideal for team building and boosting self-esteem.
“This will have major benefits for the families. Extended Services has made excellent inroads into the community to make the days available to the broadest range of families possible.”
One parent who tried his hand at Kayaking said: “This has been a great day out for all of us. We’ve learnt some new skills which I couldn’t imagine us doing before today. We’ve had a great time and, best of all, we have all done it together.”
Olivia Shaw, a participating young person added: “The holidays are great especially when you’ve got something to do. This has been a great day and I’ve loved spending it with my family.”