Thanet SEND centre launches fundraiser to expand

The Hive in Ramsgate offers training facilities for the SEND community and is home to pan disability team Thanet Galaxy FC

A SEND training facility in Thanet has announced fundraising plans for it's next stage of development.

The Hive at Foreland Fields in Ramsgate is the UK's only social, training, recreation and learning centre for young people and adults with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The five acre site, which opened in February 2024, includes an FA standard full size football pitch, fully accessible changing facilities and an athletic track.

Emily Hollis MBE, director, said they now hope to develop the second stage of the project, which includes expanding their sensory garden, community kitchen and outdoor seating.

Emily Hollis MBE, director of The Hive Thanet, is fundraising to expand the sensory garden, community kitchen and outdoor seating areas

Ms Hollis said: "Ideally we want solar panels because we're such a large site and utilities are very expensive and we need lots of equipment to run our sports and horticulture workshops."

Since opening The Hive has welcomed 6,500 members of the SEND community, with more than 100 inclusive sports matches played across 17 sports.

Steve Lancaster is the founder and head coach of Thanet Galaxy, a pan disability football team who now call The Hive home.

He said: "It's a wonderful opportunity for us. We are front and centre now, we're not having to wait and tag behind mainstream football teams.

"This is our home which we can invite other clubs to and I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years to see how this develops."

Founder of Thanet Galaxy FC Steve Lancaster says his pan disability side are "front and centre" now they have a home at The Hive

The crowdfunding campaign will fund a safe and accessible sensory garden, floodlights, adapted wheelchair bikes and freerider wheelchairs to ensure everyone, regardless of physical ability, can join activities such as cycling, sports and group outings.

With other local community spaces, such as Pie Factory Music and Millmead Children's Centre, facing uncertain futures Ms Hollis is keen to stress that The Hive is not a replacement.

"We're working alongside these places. We did a lot of market research initially to complement other resources but we do understand that some places are facing closure, so we will give that safe space for individuals that perhaps aren't able to access other places anymore."

The centre has also just launched The Hive Traineeship, a pioneering initiative to equip SEND individuals with the skills, experience, and confidence to enter the workforce.

It works closely with local businesses, educators and community organisations, to provide hands-on mentorship and life skills training to overcome barriers to employment and education.

The Hive can be hired by all organisations requiring full accessibility for a range of inclusive activities.

It is now used by local organisations including Inclusive Sports, Bikeability and Avelo Care.