Training for Holiday Club Volunteers

Since 2021 Spurgeon's Baptist Church together with St Frideswides Church have been running a Lighthouse summer holiday club at Water Eaton Church Centre.  Each holiday club is for one week and hosts up to 64 children, made possible by many committed volunteers.   Earlier this year it was identified that it would be useful for the volunteers to do some training for working with children with additional needs. Training with an Educational Psychologist took place, the cost of which was covered by a Deanery Mission Fund.  The 10 volunteers who attended learned strategies and suggested tools such as providing a positive quiet space withdrawal activity and a place for children to regulate in a cosy tent. These were implemented whilst at the summer holiday club to establish better relationships with the children which enabled improved engagement throughout the week. It was a really positive week and the volunteers felt better equipped to make the week an enjoyable experience for everyone. 

Additional equipment will be purchased with the surplus of the grant which will be used during future years. Plans are already in place for next summer’s holiday club and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming more children for another great week.