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Art, music and craft are among the main staples of KIDS activities and when Siobhan O'Connor, KIDS play scheme coordinator, described many of their sessions as "incredibly messy with the big thing being they're fun" we knew Blast would have to pop along to KIDS to find out more.

KIDS motto is 'including everybody', an example they wholly embody. Based in Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, the charity provides services for children, teens and young adults with disabilities alongside their families and carers within Hull and the East Riding.

Their services include Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Group Portage (educational home visits where trained workers engage both pre-school children and their families in stimulating, interactive activities), developmental play sessions, a young peoples activity group for 8-14 year olds, a young persons inclusion group for those up to 25 years old, support for key workers, parents partnership and school holiday play schemes.

The summer play scheme

Siobhan O'Connor runs KIDS summer play schemes. Brimming with enthusiasm and with a genuine passion for the scheme it is clear that Siobhan, and the workers at KIDS, enjoy it as much as those who attend.

KIDS Playscheme artwork

2008's summer play scheme, ran over a period of four weeks, seeing a total of 96 8-18 year olds taking part. Each week the young people of the scheme reveled in a wide range of activities such as African dance complete with drummer, collage making, horse riding, rock climbing, a pirate themed day and lots of painting. With the painting ranging from "a little pot of paint to a bucket full with masses of paper" you can only imagine the art-induced fun that went on.

Scrapstore, in Hull, also hosted three of 2008's play scheme workshops. Using clean scrap materials to encourage creative art and play, Sarah Johnson, Scrapstore's Art coordinator, explained how in each session they used large cardboard structures to create everything from giant pirate ships to castles with the KIDS members, constructing, decorating and then playing within their creation.

Siobhan shares that KIDS parties also incorporated an arty twist, in the form of a karaoke machine! "Every party there was a microphone out, a big karaoke machine and lots of singing and dancing". S Club 7 proved to be a very popular song choice, leaving Siobhan with only one complaint "I never want to hear that song again!".

KIDS trip to the beach

It is obvious that all who attended the play scheme adored it. I asked Siobhan why she thought it was so popular, "They are completely free to play, they get to choose what they want to do, what they want to paint. It pushes their boundaries, having a go at things they haven't done before".

Praise for the scheme also came from the parents "We get a lot of feedback from the parents who say it gives them [their children] a lot of confidence and it allows them to interact with other young people".

Another testament to the play schemes success is that two of last years play scheme attendees returned this year to assist. "With the older one's returning this year they can provide the children with first hand experience of what its like and most importantly lots of laughs", Siobhan divulges. She also mentions that some of this years attendees have already asked if they can assist next year, unmistakable proof that KIDS are getting it right.

With 2008 pronounced a raring success, what activities would Siobhan like for future play schemes? "More dance. Street dance would be good as it would appeal to both sexes. Music was extremely popular so I would like to see more of that next year as well". I am sure that whatever Siobhan has in mind, it is bound to jam-packed with all the fun of this years schemes and more.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Group Portage

Whilst on a tour of KIDS premises I am introduced to Ann Dixon who is responsible for the Portage and developmental schemes for the under fives. She described how the home portage scheme is vital to children and their families as it brings educational and interactive activities to scores of isolated children with special needs, some of which are housebound.

I marvel at the ingenious techniques used to engage the children. Ann explains " we use all kinds of materials to get the children involved, a corn flour dough mix, cold spaghetti or humous are particularly effective as the children can really feel the textures and get messy".Μύ

Ann also shared how music and song are integral to helping the children." 'Hello' and 'Goodbye' songs are always used at the beginning and end of a session to create a much needed structure", she says "We use sound vibrations for the children who are hearing impaired so they are able to feel the music" whilst stories of the age old favourite song 'Old Macdonald' having coaxed even the most withdrawn children to join in the sessions, showing just how important a role music plays. These activities alongside a whole host of other educational exercises are key tools for developing life-long relationships and communication skills between the child and their families.

It is humbling to learn about the work KIDS does. In their own words "they want to give children and young people all the support they need today to fulfil their hopes and dreams tomorrow". I have no doubt in my mind that week after week, year after year, KIDS work enables it participants to achieve just that.

As I leave their Chanterlands Avenue base, I spy a young girl beaming from ear to ear, I get the distinct impression there are many more faces who leave KIDS sporting that exact impression, staff, parents and children alike.

Getting Involved

Whilst this summers play scheme has come to an end all KIDS other schemes are still continuing throughout the year.

KIDS youth group 'Wii Matter', is a natural continuation of the summer play schemes. Running every Tuesday at the Astra Youth Club, Bransholme, for young people with disabilities aged 8 - 14, it incorporates all that was achieved during the summer and more with residential trips featuring alongside regular youth group activities such as bowling and sports.

KIDS services are free to the children and their families meaning they are continually looking for funding and donations to sustain their indispensable work. If you would like to help, get involved or simply find out more, click on the link below.