EVC Summer 2026_magazine_AWdigital - Flipbook - Page 22
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
As the demand for SEND-friendly educational visits increases, providers are rising
to the challenge. Here are just three examples of how visits and venues across the
country are being adapted to ensure that they are accessible to everyone
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Woburn Safari Park recently
launched SENse the Safari, a
purpose-built SEND-inclusive
classroom with activities
to match. The facility was
shaped by feedback from local
authorities and families and
offers a dedicated sensory
room and decompression
zone as well as an accessible
outdoor play and picnic
area designed for calm
engagement. The hands-on
activities include animal food
preparation, water play, tactile
exploration and invertebrate
handling.
Hannah Caswell, Assistant
Head at Daventry Hill School,
a special needs school,
said: “Having a space that is
purpose-built for the children
is really helpful.”
“I'M REALLY HOPING THAT MORE FACILITIES
WILL END UP HAVING SPACES LIKE THIS”
Hannah Caswell, Assistant Head at Daventry Hill School
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
“AT BENDRIGG, WE GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE
TO EVERY YOUNG PERSON, REGARDLESS OF
THEIR DISABILITY OR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS”
Nick Liley, Bendrigg Centre Director
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Bendrigg is a charity based in
Cumbria that offers activity
residentials and subsidised visits
for young people of all abilities.
It has 45 years’ experience of
working with children with
additional needs and from
disadvantaged backgrounds,
and can create a personalised
programme of activities so
that everyone in the group
can take part.
Thanks to their purposebuilt facilities and adaptive
equipment, Bendrigg can offer
a wide range of activities, from
climbing and orienteering
to arts and crafts, cycling
and bushcraft, all carried
out in a safe and supportive
environment and managed by
highly experienced staff. They
also take groups out into the
countryside for activities such as
canoeing and caving, using their
own accessible minibus.
Centre Director Nick Liley says:
“We see young people thrive in
this environment, growing in
confidence and building strong
relationships with their teachers
that can last throughout the
academic year.”
