Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Flying High Playscheme – which has been described as a 'lifeline' for families with disabled children – is running again over the summer holidays with an action-packed programme of events.

To allow families to meet the staff and raise awareness of the scheme, an open afternoon is being held on Thursday July 27 from 2.30-4.30pm at Larchfield School, Maidenhead. This will also tie in with the launch of the revised Disabled Children's Database, a voluntary register of information about disabled children in the Borough.

Flying High Playscheme is a Maidenhead holiday playscheme for children and young people aged five to 16 with disabilities or additional requirements that make it difficult for them to attend mainstream playschemes.

The playscheme was set up last year and proved a success over the summer holidays and again at Easter this year. Activities planned for this summer include swimming, bowling, trampolining, visits by animal handlers, music workshops and much more.

Anthea Neads, Flying High Playscheme co-ordinator at the Maidenhead Royal Borough's Early Years & Childcare Service, said: "We aim for the playscheme to be a very child-centred environment, where the children and young people are provided with as much choice as possible over the free play and activities they take part in.

"Flying High is a play setting – we recognise that informal learning and development take place through play and this is very child-led, hands-on and exploratory at Flying High."

The open afternoon, which will give parents and children a taster of the activities, will also feature free play, art, crafts, music, face painting, a bouncy castle, an animal handler, refreshments and the chance to meet the staff.

Maidenhead Social Services Disabled Children's Team will launch the revised Disabled Children's Database between 3.30-4pm and will be available to provide information throughout the afternoon. The database is a voluntary register that will allow accurate information to be collected about disabled children, and will help identify the needs of such children living within the Borough.

Anyone wishing to attend the open day should call Susan Kay on 01628 781430 to book. Also call her for general enquiries about Flying High Playscheme or if you wish to join the Flying High mailing list. For enquiries about the Disabled Children's Database, call the Disabled Children's Team on 01753 638637.

Volunteers are needed at the Maidenhead Flying High Playscheme for summer 2006 and beyond. To arrange a volunteer interview, call Anthea Neads, Playscheme co-ordinator, on 01628 781430.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead