COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES
Inclusive Hub Weekend Sessions and Evening Hub Club:
On average we have over 70 people each weekend taking part in enjoyment-based boxing, exercise and social games. The participants all have some form of additional need such as: Down’s Syndrome, Autism, wheelchair users, hearing/visual impairment and can be experiencing social isolation. The ‘Hub Club’ is an extension of the weekend sessions and includes: refreshments, games and further 1-2-1 mentoring. These sessions also allows parents to discuss similar challenges and share best practice for dealing with young people with complex needs.
Weekday Sessions:
Our weekday sessions are focused on working with a variety of groups including: Mainstream and SEND schools, refugees (via schools), adult day care, supported living and 1-2-1 sessions for people with physical and complex needs. We offer bespoke packages of activities to each of these groups to improve social, emotional and mental health needs. These sessions can also result in work placements and further educational courses (on site) as well as signposting to other like-minded activities or education.
Impact: Social inclusion and mental well-being. Improved fitness and mobility. The ripple effect of this is a calmer home environment. Parents and carers report that the Hub sessions are crucial to the well-being of those who attend.
School Outreach Sessions
School outreach sessions are a 10 week programme of mentoring, fitness and support which allows us to work with pupils in mainstream education who perhaps need help with building self-confidence or engaging with physical fitness and improving well-being; including post Covid issues and concerns. This also includes working with the schools to try and motivate pupils with poor attendance or those who are disaffected with school, or who are struggling with their behaviour in school to re-engage with their education.
School Holiday Activity Programme:
We have delivered 20 HAF (Healthy Activity & Food) school holiday activity camps – four of which have included distribution of food hampers. We put together a programme of exercise, education and enrichment and are developing a community element. Since being in the Thornton Rd. premises we have primarily targeted children with SEND to take part. This programme is fully evaluated and reports sent to Sefton Council and Liverpool City Council.
Violence Reduction Programme:
We have delivered four years of 12 week after school Violence Reduction Programmes which is in collaboration with Merseyside Police and Fire & Rescue Service. These programmes has helped us to support two local football teams, providing mentorship, life skills, clothing/sportswear kit, training course and enrichment. People involved in this programme live in high crime rate and high deprivation areas around Liverpool. Work experience has been provided leading not employment pathways.
Work Experience:
At The Inclusive Hub, we are committed to creating equal opportunities for individuals with additional needs. Through our work experience placements, we provide tailored support that empowers individuals to gain valuable skills and hands-on experience in a professional environment. Our short-term placements are designed to build confidence, enhance employability, and help participants take meaningful steps toward long-term employment. We work closely with both participants and employers to ensure that everyone benefits from an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding experience.
‘Empowering Girls’ Project:
We have developed a seven week programme working with schools to identify young people, particularly girls, who are at risk of criminal exploitation and engaging with behaviour that can leave them vulnerable to various forms of exploitation. We are very aware that there is a lot of money and external agency support put into preventing boys and young men from getting involved in gang culture and criminal exploitation; but we are not aware of targeted intervention to support vulnerable girls – who are all too frequently the victims of grooming and other forms of criminal exploitation. These girls are frequently disengaged with school and education and we look to work with the school to identify particular areas that we can focus on.
We received funding to run a seven week ‘Empowering Girls’ project from September 2022. We worked with 36 vulnerable girls across three local schools.
Post funding we have continued to offer this programme and are currently involved with two local secondary schools.
Dr. Referral sessions:
We hold well-being and individual fitness sessions every weekday morning 8 a.m. – 11.a.m. The participants have been signposted to us as a matter of urgency to improve their physical and mental health. Some issues include: Parkinson’s Disease, spinal injuries, post-covid isolation, cardiac issues, weight problems and bereavement support. The aim is to provide a place where people can feel comfortable and confident to exercise, meet new friends and we offer volunteering opportunities.
Parent Support Group:
Being the parent of a child/young person with additional needs can be very challenging, and sometimes over-whelming. We recognise that our parents at The Inclusive Hub are the absolute experts at navigating the complicated and overly bureaucratic systems that allow them to access the correct education, benefits, healthcare etc. for their child. We also recognise that during the weekend Hub sessions there is not always the opportunity for parents to meet and talk about issues and challenges, and so get practical support. We have put in place a Hub parent meeting, once a month, to provide a space for parents to meet informally and talk to each other over a cup of tea and to create that much needed support network.
If any parents want to use the gym facilities, they welcome to do this before the session starts.
Womens Group:
We have completed two ‘Women’s Turnaround’ projects, working with socially isolated women, vulnerable women and ex-offenders; using fitness and group support to give these women the confidence to regain
their self-worth. The majority of attendees have since gone on to either employment, further and higher education or other training courses.
We have continued to host the Women’s Group as at the official end of the ‘Women’s Turnaround’ the participants asked that we could continue to meet. We offer a safe space for women who have experienced domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse or who feel isolated and lack the confidence to join mainstream programmes. We have a range of expertise available and have delivered a variety of sessions e.g. nutrition and cooking on a budget, supporting children with Autism and ADHD, Personal well-being and mindfulness, yoga, jewellery making etc. We can signpost people to support groups and welfare charities and are looking to offer a weekly evening session.
We use fully trained professional coaches to deliver our sessions and all are DBS checked and experienced in working with people of all needs and abilities. We have experience in working with young people with ASD and other neurodivergent conditions, and recognise the individual approaches needed to build trust and effective relationships. Our staff have had training from Henshaws in working with visually impaired people, up to date Prevent training, Mental Health First Aid, Youth Leader Level 1 & 2, Safeguarding and have completed Food Hygiene training to allow us the deliver the HAF programme.
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