Play Your Way

Play Your Way sessions recognise that not all play looks the same and that’s something to be celebrated!

These neuroaffirming sessions embrace the individuality of each child, offering a wide range of activities, reflecting the unique ways they choose to play. Whether it's sensory exploration, imaginative games, or quiet time, Play Your Way creates a supportive and inclusive environment where every child can engage on their own terms and feel valued just as they are.

Outdoor Pursuits

Outdoor Pursuits encourages exploration, adventure, and connection with nature in a way that embraces every child’s unique needs and preferences.

These neuroaffirming sessions offer a flexible approach to outdoor play, recognising that not all children engage in activities the same way — and that’s something to be celebrated. From gentle walks and sensory nature play to more active adventures, young people are supported to choose activities and how they take part, building confidence, independence, and joy in a safe, inclusive environment.

Sensory Play - Early Years

Sensory Play for Early Years is co-designed with young disabled children, providing a calm, supportive space where they can explore the world through their senses in a way that feels right for them.

These neuroaffirming sessions recognise that early play is deeply individual, and not all children engage in typical ways, which is both valid and valuable. With a variety of sensory-rich activities, from textures and sounds to lights and movement, children are free to lead their own experiences, building comfort, curiosity, and connection at their own pace.

Theatre Express

Theatre Express is a creative session that offers a space to explore drama, movement, music, and storytelling in ways that reflect their unique voices.

These neuroaffirming sessions are co-designed with the young people themselves, ensuring the activities are meaningful, accessible, and tailored to their interests. Whether performing, directing, designing, or simply expressing themselves in their own way, participants are encouraged to take the lead, celebrate their creativity, and build confidence in an inclusive and supportive environment where all forms of expression are welcomed and valued.

One on One

If a child or young person is unable to join in small group activities or unable to travel, we can create tailored activities at your home, in your garden or in another space where your child feels safe. We can bring animals to interact with, games to play, or something that your child has a special interest in.

Got other ideas? We’ll do our best to work with you and your child to make them possible!

More Information about Short Breaks

Short Breaks in Tewkesbury and the North Cotswolds

Short Breaks are regular, fun activities for disabled children that also give parents and carers valuable time to rest.

Thanks to funding from Barnwood Trust, we’re running Short Breaks in Tewkesbury and the North Cotswolds as part of a test-and-learn approach.

How referrals work

We recognise that everyone is starting from a different place so we provide the support you want. Meaning our referrals lean towards equity rather than equality, tailoring opportunities to your family’s individual needs.

Families can be referred by our partner organisations, or you can self-refer.
There’s no set process—we accept referrals by email, phone, text, or in person at local events.
You don’t need a diagnosis or an assessment from Gloucestershire County Council.
We base our referral on your family's needs, with the highest priority being families that are unable to access any activities or breaks.

What to expect

When your family fits the criteria, you can receive a Short Break that you and your children have a say in to ensure you have a break!

You and your children help shape the Short Break, so it works for your family.
Your family is important, we want to hear what your children enjoy, what worries you when leaving them in care, and how we can make the experience positive for everyone.
We understand that for some families, time apart isn’t always a “break,” and not every child wants or is able to join a group.

Removing barriers

We’ll ask about personal care, food, and transport so we can make sure nothing gets in the way of you enjoying a break.

Our team

All our play workers are neurodivergent, with lived experience, relevant qualifications, and lots of specialist training (e.g. stoma care training). We also take time to understand your child’s unique needs with you, so care feels familiar, safe, and supportive. You know your child best, and we want you to feel confident in our care.

What if what you can offer isn't what we want?

These links will take you to the five other organisations partnering with Barnwood Trust on the Short Breaks test-and-learn project.

Can't Sit Still

https://www.cantsitstill.org/being-me

‘Being Me’ clubs are spaces where Autistic girls and non-binary young people can feel accepted and celebrated for being their authentic selves.

The Music Works

https://themusicworks.org.uk/get-in-touch/

Mobile Mix & Mash

Parent Carer Alliance

https://www.parentandcareralliance.org.uk/

Individual & Group Provision

Creative Sustainability

https://cscic.org/

Nature-based and online activities, with overnight camps and residentials, and day trips to great places.

Belmont School

If your child attends Belmont School, please enquire directly.

Requesting an Assessment

You can also request an assessment for your child through Gloucestershire County Council.

A professional will meet with you to discuss:

Your child’s and family’s strengths
The support you already have
Any concerns or gaps in support

All disabled children are entitled to an assessment of their social care needs. This leads to a support plan designed to meet those needs. If Short Breaks are agreed as part of the plan, they will be included in your assessment.

To request an assessment, contact the Children’s Help Desk on 01452 426565.

Further Information and project history

What are Short Breaks?

Children’s and adult social care services sometimes use the terms Short Breaks and respite care differently. Both describe services that provide specialist care and support for families of disabled children and adults.

Short Breaks is a government-funded programme. It gives councils up to £1 million a year to work with families to develop innovative activities that children might not otherwise be able to access because of their disability. The programme also covers the costs of delivering those activities.

Research in Gloucestershire

In 2022, Barnwood Trust carried out research with families across Gloucestershire. The findings showed:

Families struggled to find clear information on what was available.
Parents often had to stay with their children during activities, meaning they didn’t get a true break.
Lack of transport and specialist staff training were major barriers.
Some areas of the county were “cold spots,” with little or no provision.

Funding to Address Barriers

In early 2023, Barnwood Trust co-designed a funding opportunity with parent carers, young people, and people with lived experience of Short Breaks. Together they set a budget of £300,000 to tackle these issues.

Organisations applying for funding needed to:

Provide high-quality activities co-designed with young people.
Ensure parents and carers could enjoy a genuine break.

Barnwood Trust also added £60,000 ring-fenced for access needs—such as transport, extra Personal Assistant (PA) time, or other practical costs to help families take part.

A group of parent carers and young people reviewed applications and recommended projects to Barnwood Trust’s Funding Committee.

The First Phase (2023–2024)

The ADHD Hub (now the ND Hub) was one of 16 organisations that applied.
Six projects were awarded funding, running inclusive Short Breaks across the county up to August 2024.

Extension of the Project (2025–2027)

Barnwood Trust has now extended the test-and-learn project for another two years, from April 2025 to April 2027, investing a further £1.2 million through the Short Breaks Fund.

This partnership:

Builds on the success of the six funded projects since 2023.
Is part of Barnwood Trust’s wider Short Breaks change programme.
Works alongside Gloucestershire County Council’s own county-wide offer, giving families more choice of inclusive and engaging Short Breaks.