Honiton's Children with Additional Needs Sport Group sees demand grow rapidly

In 2019, Lea Brown (aged 36) struggled to find a sports group to take her two autistic boys, Rueben and Zachary to. Feeling frustrated, she decided to start her own group. Three years later, membership has grown quickly, and Lea is hoping to expand even further.

The groups are fully inclusive: children are supported who have a range of challenges, including anxiety or sensory issues, neurological disorders such as autism and ADHD through to more physical conditions such as muscular dystrophy, hyper mobility, arthritis, and Down syndrome.

The group started as one multi-skills session a week, but Lea soon realised that this wouldn't be enough to meet local demand, and so more sessions were added.

Today, a range of activities are available. Multi-skill sports sessions and Muay Thai is available, and Lea has teamed up with Planet Play for special sessions for parents of children with additional needs to get together and support one another.

It is hoped that a gymnastics and dance class could be added soon. Parents and siblings are able to stay and join in.

Lea, who lives in Ottery St. Mary, told Nub News that it was personal challenges in her own family that motivated her to set up the groups.

Lea said: "I tried for several years to enrol my own children into sports, but I found it too challenging to keep them regulated and the membership fees were costly.

"Both of my children are on the autism spectrum, and I found that I couldn't find any inclusive sports or social sessions for them.

"I did a survey and found lots of parents wanted a SEND session to be inclusive for their child, but also somewhere where there was no prejudice. So, I set it up."

Lea would like to expand the number of groups offered to support as many children and local communities as possible.

Lea explained the importance of the group for children: "It's incredibly important that children with additional needs have access to sports and social sessions.

"Not only does it encourage social skills, build friendships and provide a team member mentality, it's also important for children to use their muscles and release energy."

Brendon is 7 years old and he and his mother have been attending the groups since they started.

His mother Charly explained the benefits of the group for Brendon: "The group has proved a huge benefit for Brendon and me. It teaches Brendon social skills with his peers and also respect and integrity.

"He loves all sessions equally but especially enjoys the multi-skill sports group. Muay Thai is a fantastic group, teaching skills, respect and being able to vent the anger in a safe place.

"I'm very proud to have been able to step in and assist Lea with the group as I felt these were so important for our children I would not want to lose them, so it's been a huge pleasure helping out and also being a support to parents."

Sessions are £3.50 each. You can book via this email [email protected] and you can find out more information here