Angela joined local families at a Nature Explorers event that was specially designed for children with Special Educational Needs and their caregivers.

The Mencap Family Engagement Project, who organised the sessions at the Community Green Allotment in Dukinfield, works across Tameside to support families of children aged 0-5-years-old with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or emerging additional needs.

The team have lived experience of parenting children with additional needs, which gives a unique opportunity for peer support. They work to empower parents by providing emotional support, encouragement, knowledge and understanding.

The Nature Explorers event offered a safe enclosed space to allow children to get to grips with outdoor play equipment.

Angela said: “This event gave children with SEND the chance to have fun and meet other local families in an environment that was secure. It was great to chat to families taking up this opportunity. Thank you to the team for putting on such a brilliant event.”

The session was part of the thriving Community Green Project run by The Leap Children and Families Centre at Dukinfield Allotments. Set up three years ago, the project has gone from strength to strength. The centre runs a range of horticultural and nature based groups on the allotment and have partnered up with Mencap, Tameside Hospital, local nurseries and GP services to support people’s mental health and well being through nature.