Mum's new SEN booklets aims to boost inclusion

Trojeana wants organisations to recognise and cater to the diversity of their visitors

A mother has created a booklet to advertise organisations that specifically cater for children with special educational needs (SEN).

Ted, nine, from Bristol has autism and struggles with many children's play sessions due to large crowds and loud music.

His mum, Trojeana, wants to encourage more companies across the city to schedule SEN-friendly sessions by proving there is a popular demand for them.

The idea came when Trojeana was struggling to find activities for Ted over the summer, and was told sessions were rarely held due to low attendance.

The booklet includes something "for everyone", whether the child wants to try horse riding, go-karting, rugby, cricket and many more, Trojeana said.

She added that SEN-friendly sessions help to tackle isolated for children and she hopes the booklets will help kids feel "more included".

"We are really short on what there is [for SEN children]. We are in a world where there are so many SEN children and there needs to be more for them," she added.

The booklet signposts to organisations across Bristol hosting SEN-friendly sessions

More than 1.6 million pupils in England have special educational needs, an increase of 101,000 from 2023.

Many autistic people have sensory differences, meaning they can experience over or under sensitivity to different stimuli, such as light or sound.

The premise of a SEN-friendly session is to create a relaxed environment by making simple adjustments, like offering a quiet place to escape, dimming the lights, and hiring specially trained staff.

Chaos Inflatable Park in Brislington offers SEN-friendly sessions with reduced numbers and gentle music

But Trojeana says for her son it is not just about the environment, it is about "being around children like you".

"I find with Ted, if we've been places and there's 'normal children', he doesn't make friends, he doesn't interact with the other children.

"But if we go somewhere and there's other children with SEN they make friends, they talk. Even if they're not talking, they're chasing each other.

"I don't know how they know that we're all the same at these sessions, but they clearly do, because you can see the difference in them," she said.

Mr Lovatt said it was "massive" for children with SEN to have the opportunity to play with their peers

Jordan Lovatt is the disability inclusion practitioner at Bristol Bears Community Foundation, which runs inclusive rugby sessions for Avonmouth Avengers.

The club is featured in the leaflet, along with Chaos Inflatable Park, Bristol Rovers Ability FC, and Gympanzees, among others.

"Sessions like these are important because there's not much like this on offer to be honest.

"Rugby is a sport for everybody - we want everyone to be included," Mr Lovatt said.