New scout group launched for children with special needs

On October 11, 18 families joined scout volunteers in Littleport to mark the start of the Harley Scouts.

The project is the first of its kind in Cambridgeshire and has taken more than a year to plan.

It will cater for children aged four to 18 with SEND, offering them the chance to take part in activities and socialise outside of school.

The plan is to offer a range of games and activities tailored to the young people’s needs (Image: Submitted)

An extra four families are set to join in the coming weeks.

Ben Watson, a Littleport scout volunteer, said: “I’ve been a member of Scouting since I was a beaver myself and I’ve always felt there’s so much we can offer a SEND setting, if we can just make reasonable adaptations.

"Some of the best, most genuine people I have met face these challenges daily and now to be able to combine these worlds has been incredible.

"It’s been a real passion project and taken a lot of work and time to get to this point but just seeing the joy on both the kids and their parents faces has made it so worthwhile.”

New scout group launched for children with special educational needs (Image: Submitted)

Harley Scouts will offer a range of activities and games that will be tailored to meet the children's individual needs.

They will also be able to work towards earning badges.

Lisa Moden, a mother of a child who has joined the group, said: "When Ellie was younger we had access to some groups but over the last years as she’s grown up, she’s been able to go to less and less.

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"Having an offering like this is incredible, having the mix of things to do and adults that understand, to support her is really heart-warming.”

The group is seeking further volunteers to help run the sessions.

Anyone interested in helping the group can contact: info@1stlittleport.org.uk.