June edition of SEND Matters

Welcome to SEND Matters

SEND Matters May 2024 Edition

WELCOME from Chris Morris, Chief Officer for Education, SEND and School Infrastructure

It was exactly 4 years ago that the first edition of SEND Matters was launched. I decided to look back at that edition before writing this introduction, as you can imagine the majority of that edition was taken up with FAQ’s and updates on services as we were in the middle of a lockdown, however it led me to take a look at other editions (you can view them all on the Local Offer!) and reflect on how far we have come in the past 4 years.

This edition launched our 4th Summer of SEND (with over 700 activities are already on the calendar and we haven’t finished yet!!), announces the opening of 2 brand new Changing Place Toilets in town that we secured funding for, updates on the Sensory Garden that will be opening soon as well as more details on what we are doing at the River Festival to make it the most accessible yet. That is not to mention the increased short breaks provision, SEND sessions at the swimming pools, soft plays and sensory rooms as well as all of the fantastic family days and events that we have funded BBPCF to put on and so much more.

I am under no illusions that we still have more to do, and I am fully committed to ensuring that we continue to improve services and the wider SEND system for all families, however on the 4th anniversary of SEND Matters I thought it would be good to look back and see how far we have come.

I hope you enjoy this edition of SEND Matters and if you have ideas that you would like to see as part of our Summer of SEND then please do email Sorcha our friendly local offer officer at  local.offer@bedford.gov.uk

To download the May edition please click here

Best wishes, Chris

 Changing Places Toilet
Summer of SEND Logo

Summer of SEND 2024

We are kicking off a week earlier to include all the half term activities.

Keep your eye out on the Summer of SEND page on the local offer, where we be adding events across the Summer including some of the firm favourites such as the SEND exclusive fire station open day, and the SEND family section at the river festval details below.

SEND Family Section at the River Festival

This year we are delighted to be bringing back our SEND Family section at the Bedford River Festival. The area will be cordoned off and will have a shaded area with sensory equipment as well as a dedicated bouncy castle for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and / or a Disability (SEND). The area will be manned by staff from various services that support children and young people with SEND and their families and they will be on hand to answer any questions you may have or to share information about events, clubs and activities that may be suitable for you or your family. There will also be a mobile changing place toilet available at the site and it is close to plenty of disabled parking as well as stalls from the NHS and other family friendly activities
SAVE THE Date opening of the Sensory Garden

Refurbishment of the Time Garden to a Sensory Garden at Russell Park

This initiative marks a significant collaboration between our Parks and Open Space Team and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team, along with the East London Foundation NHS Trust, and the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum.

The project, supported by £40,000 in funding secured through the East London Foundation NHS Trust, aims to transform the central section of the Time Gardens into a serene sensory oasis. Working with the existing modernist design, the refurbishment will retain the garden’s distinctive coloured pathways while enhancing the space to provide a sensory-rich environment for relaxation and engagement with nature.

Highlighting the community involvement in the project, the refurbished garden will feature predominantly pollinator-friendly planting and incorporate bug hotels.

SEND Health Focus Week 2024 10th to 14th of June 2024  

SEND Health Focus Week 2024

In partnership with the Parent Carer Forums, Community Health Services and CAMHS, we are delighted to bring you our annual co-produced SEND Health Focus Week 2024. June 10th – June 14th 2024.

A week of engaging and informative webinars and workshops for parents/carers and professionals in Bedfordshire and Luton.

All workshops will be held online, are free to attend and are aimed at empowering and informing our local community [parents/carers and professionals] on a variety of health focussed SEND related topics.

Please help us to share far and wide. Previously we had people join from across the world.

To further details, full weeks schedule and for all booking links please visit the webpage here: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Bedfordshire/services/co-production/send-health-focus-week-2024

 SEND Health Focis Week