Yorkshire West Riding
Children and Young People
Children with a learning disability in Sheffield will get support
Children with a learning disability and/or autism can now enjoy a range of specialist leisure groups on Saturday mornings at local charity Sheffield Mencap and Gateway.
The £60,000 grant will fund the ‘Saturday Stars’ service, helping tackle the social inequality faced by children with a learning disability and/or autism. These children often miss out on the benefits of group activity as most mainstream clubs are unable to accommodate their additional support needs.
A learning disability or neurodiversity is a lifelong condition that can impact comprehension and information retention, communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation. Consequently, one in three children with a learning disability spend less than an hour outside their homes on a typical Saturday (Royal Mencap, 2022). This isolation leads to poor physical and mental health, reduced confidence and delayed development.
Thanks to our support, Sheffield Mencap and Gateway can now provide the opportunities these children need to socialise, develop skills, try new activities – and have fun! The three-year grant can support 180 children with a learning disability and/or autism to attend Saturday Stars groups. Parent-carers will also benefit, with specialist support on hand from the Sheffield Mencap and Gateway carers team.
Saturday Stars gives Harrison a safe space to be himself around peers. He has built some great relationships and got more confident. He loves coming! The group has massively helped him with social, communication and co-ordination skills.
This funding will make a massive difference in the lives of children with a learning disability and autism, and their families in Sheffield. We’re so grateful that Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons have chosen to support our work. Saturday mornings at Sheffield Mencap and Gateway are now a happy, busy place filled with children enjoying arts, drama, sports and games. Children tell us they feel able to be themselves and not mask their differences. As well as being fun, these activities support children’s social, emotional, physical and practical skills development. The impact of attending Saturday Stars on children is huge
I am really pleased we have been able to support Sheffield Mencap and Gateway’s hugely important project supporting children with special educational needs across the City. In addition to supporting the children’s social, emotional and physical development, this wonderful charity offers them the chance to take better advantage of their education, which is a truly invaluable gift for their future.
