Type of service: Play and leisure, Local groups

WINGS (Wombourne Special Needs Support Group) is based in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, and has a growing membership of parents/carers of children and adults with a variety of special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and learning delay, in the South Staffordshire, Dudley and Wolverhampton area. Evening, weekend and holiday playscheme activities for children provide them with a social group and a sense of belonging, as well as stimulus in drama, music, art, and physical exercise. Trips to places such as the Special Needs Adventure Playground at Cannock and the Albrighton project for fishing and gardening are fun. Families benefit from the respite from their caring role as WINGS provides trained and volunteer staff for these sessions: most of the children require 1:1 supervision. The parents' support group offers opportunities to share ideas and experiences, someone to listen, someone to cry with, let off steam or laugh with; and somewhere the children's individuality is celebrated and their differences aren't judged or a cause of embarrassment. Families are welcomed at social and fundraising events where they can interact in a relaxed and understanding atmosphere. The quarterly newsletter to members has activities and support, provides information and publicises local meetings, workshops and events. The WINGS Centre also offers a range of publications and information resources to parents, as well as a welcome to anyone who wants to call in.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Parent/carer of an adult, Young person

Specialisms: Generic