Community directory

Special Connection

Special Connection is a charity whos aim is to break down barriers that exist between children and young people with special needs and their non-disabled peers.

The children and young people who take part in Special Connection's workshops are the employers, planners, politicians and decision makers of the future. Special Connection is helping to form their attitudes towards those with special needs, creating a more enlightened and positive future for our society.

They run two day Performing Arts Workshops, where children and young people of all abilities can work together and learn about each other.

For each workshop they invite one mainstream class of approximately 30 children aged between 9 and 18 years, balanced with three special schools supplying another 30 children. This enables one-to-one relationships to be formed between the non-disabled participants and those with special needs including physical disabilities, learning disabilities and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Why Drama?
The format of the two day drama workshop has been developed over five years and provides children with the ideal opportunity to work together. We split into small groups each of whom devise and rehearse a performance then design and build the sets, props and costumes they need. All the groups them perform to each other at the end of day two. Drama provides a creative and fun environment which encourages co-operation, understanding and friendships to evolve in a very short time.

How much does it cost?
For approximately £5,000 we can run a programme of workshops for a specific local community comprising the following:
* One 2 day workshop for 9-12 year olds;
* One 2 day workshop for 12-18 year olds;
* One 1 day workshop for all ages including students with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

How are we funded?
Special Connection relies on funding from local education authorities and voluntary support from companies, individuals and trusts.

Registered charity number 1063322