How we help

If you live in Dundee and care for a child or young person who has a significant learning disability, you can contact us to discuss whether we can help and how. Further information is available throughout this site which might assist you.

Playschemes & Activity Days for Young People

As long as the Family Support Team has been in existence, we have known that children and young people need activities during holiday periods to provide a break for families and siblings and most importantly, new experiences and peer support for the individual young people themselves.  As a result of this knowledge, the Project provides Playschemes and activity days for Project children and young people with significant learning disabilities in the age range 3-18 years.

The children and young people are divided into groups, each one having its own identity.  These are the ways that these groups are put together:

• M-Power – Aimed at the more independent young people.
• Age Based – Participating in a range of activities.
• Let’s Go – A therapeutic group for young people with multiple/complex disabilities.
• Out ‘n’ About – A 1:1 link to access a range of activities in the community.

Staffing

The Playscheme Programme currently runs from 2 bases, our Dudhope Street premises and Kingspark School and are staffed by the Barnardo’s staff team, sessional workers and volunteers, who all comply with our rigorous screening procedures and receive comprehensive training.  This service relies heavily on the availability energy and skills of volunteers.

What do we do on a Playscheme or Activity Day for Young People?

Children and young people usually start their day at 10.00am, some of them coming in on our minibus if their family has no transport.  They are introduced to the volunteers and staff who will be with them throughout the day; many are linked on a 1:1, or even a 2:1, basis.  Activities are undertaken both morning and afternoon, with lunch an important social occasion too.  Often there is a trip out, perhaps to a park, swimming pool or other community resource.  All this gives the young people opportunities to make friends, build confidence, explore new opportunities and above all to have fun.  The Playscheme day ends at 3.00pm.

In terms of costs, we ask for a small contribution from families towards the cost of activities.

Where do volunteers come in?

The answer is … everywhere! Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our project. The numbers of volunteers engaged at any one time depends on how many youngsters are involved. We always try to link one volunteer to each child/young person where appropriate. Volunteers are recruited from various sources – secondary schools, colleges, universities, local employment offices, volunteer bureau, social work department, community centres, etc. The recruitment methods used are through Radio Tay, local press, posters, talks to groups but mainly through word of mouth.

An information pack, along with an application form, is sent to every potential volunteer. Once a completed application form is returned, every potential volunteer is invited into the Project for an informal chat/interview and the work of the project is explained. Once the application is completed, two references are taken up and a Disclosure Scotland check is asked for. As part of the introduction to volunteering with our project, an induction day is offered to all new volunteers. Support, back up and encouragement are on offer all the time from staff and from other volunteers. Monthly training evenings are held throughout the year for all volunteers involved in the project. In addition, support and training are also given to volunteers in specific activities. Volunteers play an essential part in the project’s work. Without the valuable help of committed, caring and reliable volunteers the range of services we provide would be severely limited. As well as manning the various clubs, groups and activities run by the project, volunteers have at times been able to help families in more individual one-off situations.