Help Change the Lives of Disabled Children and Young People Through Play with a Vote for Challengers This May

Posted on 29 Apr 2020 by Amy Jackson
Challengers LogoEstablished in Guildford, 1979, Challengers has provided community based projects that allow disabled children and young people to take part in fun play and leisure activities. Serving Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and West Sussex, Challengers are there for disabled children and young people aged 2-18, providing them with inclusive, safe spaces where they can have fun and try new activities.

Play and leisure are important parts of life for everyone, but often in the case of a disabled child, there can be a number of barriers preventing them from getting involved. This can be anything from lack of accessibility with play facilities, right down to a lack of support from the providers or a lack of time for families. According to Sense, 51% of children were intentionally excluded from play activities by the providers. Isolation and exclusion can be incredibly upsetting for the individual and also for their families, however, Challengers aim to make every child feel included. They have a no-exclusion policy, meaning everyone is welcome no matter how complex their needs, and the charity work to ensure that their facilities and activities are accessible to everyone.

 

What Activities Do Challengers Offer?


Challengers offer a number of services for for children and young people, each allowing them to take part in fun and exciting activities and to make new friends:

Inclusive preschools - Disabled and non-disabled inclusive preschools for children aged 2 to 5 years.

Playschemes - Running on weekends, after school and during the school holidays at play centres and community venues. Available for disabled and non-disabled children aged 4-12, there’s different areas for art, outdoor play and active play, as well as quiet spaces for reading and stories.

Youth schemes - For disabled teenagers aged 13-18 and available on evenings, weekends and during school holidays. Baking, sports and music workshops are just a handful of the activities on offer, and there’s even occasional trips out, such as swimming or going for lunch.

Supporting Families


Challengers don't just make a difference for the children and young people who use their services, they also make a difference for families too. For many families, everyday activities such as shopping or cleaning are more difficult when having to care for a disabled child. Described by families as a ‘life-line,’ Challengers provide families with a well needed break, allowing them to spend time with their other children, meet friends, or simply just to tackle the everyday jobs that they don’t always get the time to do. With 71% of parents and carers describing Challengers as essential to their family life, it’s clear how much a difference the charity makes.

How You Can Support Challengers


Challengers are there to provide their services thanks to the generosity of their supporters, but as the need for their services continues to grow, so does the need for support. This May, Challengers are one of three charities taking part in our monthly poll, and you can help them be in with a chance of winning 20% of our profits by voting for them.

Cast your vote today and help make a difference to the lives of disabled children, young people and their families! Find out more about Challengers and the work they do, along with how you can donate, by visiting their website

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