What is Activities Unlimited?
Activities Unlimited is the a website and service developed through
Suffolk County Council’s Aiming High for Disabled Children’s Short
Break Pathfinder Programme.
It’s a great way for families who have children with additional
needs to find out about short breaks. There are masses to choose
from on the website, from adventure activities, arts and crafts to
everyday treats, sports and more.
The County Council is responsible for providng the support to
children, young people and families so that you can access a
wide range of short breaks activities including family fun days,
overnight stays and holiday activities. Full details of what's
available is explained in the
short break duty statement (PDF 2.4
Kb)
Enrol with Activities Unlimited today!
Families can log onto
www.activities-unlimited.co.uk and book
exciting activities online and become an AU member. There are loads
of great benefits; everyone who enrols receives a fun-filled
welcome pack, a membership card, £10 voucher, AU magazine plus
updates about activities, events, news and special offers. There’s
also lots of useful information on the website about topics such as
money and benefits, early years, transition and a special section
just for children and young people!
One to one support funding available
This year there is some Aiming High funding
available for additional one to one support to enable disabled
children and young people to access short break activities. The
funding is available to families with the highest care needs who
are also not in receipt of services. It is awarded in the form of
an individual budget that families then manage themselves to
purchase one to one support and leisure activities. The funding can
also be used to purchase other support such as domestic cleaning,
transport or specialist equipment however this will be agreed on an
individual basis.
How to enrol
To enrol with Activities Unlimited go to
www.activities-unlimited.co.uk, click on the
‘Get Your Account’ section and follow the simple step-by-step
enrolment guide.
Any child or young person in Suffolk who has additional needs, aged
0 – 25 can enrol with Activities Unlimited so log on and join
today!
Providers of short break activities
If you provide activities and short breaks that are, or could be
made, accessible to children and young people with disabilities or
additional needs contact the Activities Unlimited team and get
involved!
Activities Unlimited wants to be able to provide as wide a range of
activities as possible - from outdoor activities and arts workshops
to pampering sessions and shopping trips. Anything and everything
that other children are able to do without giving it a second
thought.
Suffolk County Council has commissioned the national charity Scope
to work as our brokerage partner to find new activities and
providers and to fill any gaps in the activities offered. Scope
helps with support, advice and funding to ensure activities are
fully inclusive and fully accessible, and to ensure that staff are
appropriately trained.
Scope’s AU team will be approving each short break and each
provider over the coming months. By 1st November 2009 all new
activities and providers on the website will have completed the
first stage of an approval scheme, which means that families can
expect certain standards from each provider and short
break.
Useful websites for further information