Services
| Out of School Activities/Trips and Parent/Carers Social Events-out in the Community | Total Attending |
| Live Show-High School Musical On Ice, Radio Metro Arena, Newcastle | 93 |
| Live Show-X Factor, Radio Metro Arena, Newcastle | 60 |
| Live Show-Dancing On Ice, Radio Metro Arena, Newcastle | 38 |
| Live Show-Nemo Disney On Ice, Radio Metro Arena, Newcastle | 83 |
| Live Show-Flashdance, Sunderland Empire | 47 |
| Teesside Princess Riverboat Trip with BBQ/Disco | 69 |
| Alan Shearer Centre, Newcastle | 43 |
| Chessington World of Adventure, overnight stay | 46 |
| McDonalds/Multi Sensory Room, Hartlepool | 25 |
| AMF Bowling Washington | 52 |
| UK Superbowl Hartlepool | 116 |
| Cinema/Burger King, Hartlepool | 134 |
| Elementis, Yarm -BBQ, Bikes & Games | 96 |
| Various Social/Pub Lunches | 140 |
| Mums/Carers Celebrating National Carers Week - Oakroyd Hotel for lunch | 18 |
| Quad Bikes | 29 |
| Halloween Evening, St. Georges Hotel, Stockton | 40 |
| Mums/carers Christmas Shopping Day - Meadowhall, Sheffield | 17 |
| Mums/carers Christmas Night Out-Tavistock, Grand Hotel | 10 |
| Parties at Spring and Christmas with our own disco, buffet, prizes and gifts, Catholic Club allows use of room free of charge | 184 |
| Jack & Bean Stalk Pantomime, Darlington Civic Theatre | 101 |
| Hydrotherapy Sessions, High Tunstall School | 156 |
| Disco/Social Evening/parties, music manned by our own DJ´s Young People/Volunteers - Room compliments of Cameron´s Club | 391 |
Children´s Club
The children have enjoyed various activities held in-house and out in the community.
The children took their favourite teddies to participate in the Teddy Bears Picnic held in the Ward Jackson Park where they participated in outdoor games. The Horseriding at Crimdon Dene, with packed lunch, was bracing but nevertheless very successful. The ever popular Merry Go Round, where the children take great pleasure and have lots of fun in the soft play area with lunch to follow, was visited and enjoyed on 10 occasions.
As usual the highlight of the Christmas Party was a visit from Santa who made sure he brought along his sack full of presents. Attendance has been at its highest level.
Youth Club
Although not fully established we have attracted some members who do not attend regular clubs on offer. Their Christmas treat was a visit to KFC and the cinema (no Santa).
Drama Club “Constellation”
The members of our drama group “Constellation” have continued to wow audiences with their shows. In addition to the shows given with the members of Friends (see next page) these Young People gave a short performance at Hartlepool Maritime Festival and have enjoyed being part of the audience for various theatre shows in Hartlepool. They also had a trip to Pizza Hut/Cinema where they had a great time joining in the Mama Mia Sing Along. In November our stars were called for an audition in Manchester for “Britain´s Got Talent”. Although we were only given a couple of days to prepare everyone involved pulled out all the stops to give a perfect performance on the day. We all had a wonderful, exciting time. We now wait in anticipation to see if we have been successful in getting through to the next stage.
Friends in Conjunction with “Constellation”
“Friends” is a group of young performers is made up of members with and without disabilities who join “Constellation” for various events and shows throughout the year.
We started the year with our first pantomime, which was a great success. The month of May found the two groups joining together as one choir to sing at the Hartlepool Music and Art Festival, which is part of the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music Dance and Speech. We signed and sang “Thank you for the music” and “A Dream is a wish” and the performance was awarded the category of “Outstanding” and received £50 for overall winner of specialist class.
All our young performers worked tirelessly for our annual event at the Arc pulling off yet another spectacular night of entertainment which had the audience on their feet both nights. The show entitled “Movies, Movies, Movies” gave “Constellation and Friends” the opportunity to showcase their talents once again, however, we must not forget all the people who worked hard behind the scenes to help make this venture so successful. The After Show Party and Awards Evening was held in the beautiful venue of Shotton Hall in Peterlee where the stars very proudly collected their certificates and trophies.
Their party was visited by Santa laden down with gifts where the stars entertained him with a short performance.
Our Family Christmas Entertainment Show of Songs from the past entitled “Christmas No. 1 Hits” was held at Brierton Sports Centre in December and was very well received and, last but not least, St.Teresa´s Parish Church requested a repeat performance of the nativity and we were only too pleased to oblige.
Awards Night 2008
Summer Playscheme
As usual this was successfully held in High Tunstall School for 11 days, 10am to 3.30pm.
Attendance:
- 96 - Children and young people-an average of 66 per day
- 29 - Sessional workers
- 17 - Volunteers
- 11 - Personal Assistants
- 3 - Parents
- The Manager and Administration Staff
Activities on offer include:
- Swimming/Sport Sessions
- Computer Games
- Face Painting
- 6 Lane Scalextrick
- Bicycles/Outside Play/Kites
- Bouncy Castle/slide
- Bike Tests/Ice Creams
- Popcorn and Candy Floss Demo
- Pottery Painting/Crafts
- The Teenage Room
- Basket Ball Tricks Demo
- Belly Dancing Workshops/Show
- Beauty and hair braiding
- Children´s Entertainers
- Fire Engine Demo and Little Dennis
- Photography training/Competition
The scheme was a great success as usual with the added bonus of increased number of NEW children and some new activities, which were thoroughly enjoyed.
Fire Engine Demo
COMMENTS RECEIVED:
“I love the playscheme because there´s always something to do and everyone who comes is really nice. It´s always fun, especially when Dee comes and does peoples nails and the belly dancers were good too.
There´s never a dull moment at the playscheme, that´s why I love it.”
“I like swimming the most at the playscheme. I learnt to cross stitch by Kath.”
“This is my first ever playscheme with Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group and I have enjoyed it immensely. The children and young people have been a pleasure to work with and get to know. I have made many friends and want to say thank you for this experience.”
“My son thoroughly enjoys participating in the playscheme and knowing he is happy and entertained every day makes coping with his disability much easier”
The Group is Ofsted Registered EY 294144 - the certificate is on display in the Resource Centre.
Short Holiday
Chessington World of Adventure
We enjoyed a two night stay in a hotel close by including breakfast, evening meals and theme park ticket. Meals and hotel were exceptionally good, and all those who attended enjoyed their stay.
Resource Centre
The following services are provided at our centre and continue to be popular:
- Support/information sessions for parents/carers.
- Parent/carer/baby/toddler group.
- The above Monday and Thursday, 10 am to 12 pm. Term time only.
- Children´s activity club, once a week term time plus extra outings.
- Youth Club, once a week plus occasional outings.
- Drama Group, once a week plus extra sessions, events and outings.
- Friends regular sessions/events.
- Multi-sensory room weekly term time (Thursday 1-3 pm) and occasionally at other times.
- Members own children´s parties.
- Training and awareness sessions.
- Associated group´s use.
- Drop in days - Tuesday 10 am to 3 pm term time. Members and professionals alike pop in for a chat, or information etc.
- Family Nights-1 x Pie and Peas, 1 x BBQ, 2 x Fish and Chip suppers all with Bingo, games etc.
- Mums & Dads/Carers Pamper Days-various therapies, buffets and a lovely relaxing time had by all.
- Young Ladies Beauty Day, Nails, Hair and Buffet.
- Fundraising Events (see Donations/Fundraising).
- Our own Santa´s Grotto using our storeroom, beautifully decorated by a group of our volunteers/members. Santa, loaded down with gifts, paid a visit and music, mince pies, sherry and gifts were organised for 2 sessions. Grotto used by all Resource Centre activities and regular clubs.
- New Years Eve Party with decorations, music and entertainment organised by some of our volunteers/members, a delicious buffet was included.
All activities, trips, short holiday, various clubs, social events etc. are always well attended.
The Resource Centre