Aiming High - Activities and short breaks

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Aiming High Short Break Activities 

Aiming High is a programme of activities and short breaks for children and young people aged 0-18 years old with a special educational need/disability (SEND) who live in Staffordshire. Activities are available to anyone with a need. An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not needed.

The programme is designed to:

  • boost children and young people's confidence
  • and independence.

Some activities are open to the whole family while other activities are suitable for children and young people to attend independently.

Activities include:

  • Sensory experiences, day trips, sports, youth clubs, nature and outdoor activities and much more.

FREE activities every month!

  • Children and young people can access two free activities each month.
  • Free activities can be booked a month in advance from first - eleventh day of the month. E.g. Activities for May half term can be booked on 1st - 11th April.
  • Additional activities are available on top of the free ones and can be booked a month in advance from 12th onwards. A fee may be payable directly to the activity organiser for additional activities.
  • Some activities will have an "Expression of Interest" where you can put your child/young person onto the list and confirmation will come directly from the provider as soon as possible after the 11th of the month.
  • Activities without an "Expression of Interest" will be confirmed upon booking.

How to Book Activities

To find a list of activities in your area, please click the calendar opposite for a specific date or the grey area to see a whole week or month's activities. Alternatively, scroll to the bottom of this page and search by area.

If you would like to take part in an activity or have any questions please call 0300 111 8007 (Option 2, then option 3). 

We want to make sure that bookings for our activities are accessible to everyone and so if you are unable to contact our booking team via telephone please email sendreferrals@staffordshire.gov.uk 

Please include information on your child’s name, date of birth and the activity Provider and date that you are interested in.  

The Moving Forward (Lifeskills and Independence) Service is available to 11-25 year olds who need some help to achieve a specific goal.  Further details of this service are available in the drop down menus below.

Aiming High and COVID-19 

Our Providers are taking great care to ensure that everyone is kept as safe as possible at activities. 

Our Providers are also ensuring that they continue to follow the latest Government guidance. 

When booking onto an Aiming High activity please let us know your up to date contact details and any other information requested by the Provider to enable us to contact you in relation to the Test and Trace system.  

Let Us Know Your Thoughts 

We want to provide the best possible activities and support for children, young people and families.  

If you have any thoughts on the Aiming High programme please get in touch by emailing us at aiminghigh@staffordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 111 8007 (option 2 then option 3).  

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Who can take part in Aiming High Activities?
  • Aiming High activities are open to 0-18 year old's with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND), who live in Staffordshire. The activities are open to anyone who has a need, an Education, Health and Care Plan is not required.

  • 18-25 year old's who live in Staffordshire can take part in our Lifeskills and Independence Short Breaks programme if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan and are not receiving paid care and support from Adult Social Care services. 
  • Some activities are designed for young people to attend independently while others are also open to parents/carers and siblings. 

  • Some Providers offer 1:1 support and help with personal care and medication.
          
  • Booking priority for Staffordshire's Aiming High programme is given to families who live in the Staffordshire County Council boundary, however, occasionally spaces are available which we can offer to families living in Stoke on Trent for a charge.  Please contact our booking team on 0300 111 8007 (option 2 then option 5) for more information on this.  

  • Families from Staffordshire may also be able to take part in the Stoke on Trent Aiming High activities if spaces are available.  For more information on the Stoke on Trent Aiming High programme please call Action for Children on 01782 683129.    

How much does an Aiming High Activity Cost?

Young people from Staffordshire can take part in a set number of free activities each month (usually 1 a month with extra during school holidays). 

Young people can access additional activities but our Providers may ask for a voluntary contribution.  Please see our activity listings for more information.    

Our Booking Team is also available on 0300 111 8007 (option 2 and then option 3) for any queries. 

Stoke on Trent Families

Families from Stoke on Trent are welcome to join in with activities if places are available, however, Providers will request that a contribution is made.  

Moving Forward (Lifeskills)

Our Moving Forward programme helps young people with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) to achieve their dreams or goals and to develop lifeskills for the future.  

To take part, young people must be 11-18 years old with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) and live in Staffordshire. 

Young people up to the age of 25 can also take part if they have an Education Health and Care Plan and are not already accessing Adult Social Care services. 

Support is FREE however young people may need to pay for some activities accessed as part of this.

Examples of support are available below, however, our Providers are always happy to talk about other ways they may be able to help:

  • Preparing for the future (employment skills/preparing for college)
  • Learning new skills (catching a bus/learning to swim/internet safety advice)
  • Healthy eating/fitness
  • Increasing confidence/independence
  • Making friends
  • Trying a new sport
  • Money matters (budgeting/shopping)

To take part please contact our Providers using the contact deatils below.  They will be very happy to talk to you about the support available and their latest availability. 

For all other queries please contact aiminghigh@staffordshire.gov.uk 

North Staffordshire (Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands)

Action for Children:

Telephone Anna Lindop on: 07921 491878 or 01782 982250

Email: anna.lindop@actionforchildren.org.uk

South Staffordshire (Cannock Chase and Lichfield) 

Progress Care:

Telephone Kirsty or Jami on: 01902 561066

Email: referral@progresscare.co.uk

 

East Staffordshire (East Staffordshire, Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent)

Progress Care:

Telephone Kirsty or Jami on: 01902 561066

Email: referral@progresscare.co.uk

 

West Staffordshire (Cannock and Lichfield)

Progress Care:

Telephone Kirsty or Jami on: 01902 561066

Email: referral@progresscare.co.uk

How do I book places and ask any questions?

To find a list of activities in your area, please click the calendar opposite for a specific date or the grey area to see a whole week or month's activities.

If you would like to take part in an activity or have any questions please call 0300 111 8007 (Option 2 then option 3). 

We want to make sure that bookings for our activities are accessible to everyone and so if you are unable to contact our booking team via telephone please email sendreferrals@staffordshire.gov.uk 

Please include information on your child’s name, date of birth and the activity Provider and date that you are interested in.  

Where else can I find other activities?

You can find information on lots of other activities and things to do across Staffordshire in the Local Offer section of Staffordshire Connects.  

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