Fen Hands supports children with long term complex physical disabilities and their families, providing inclusive activities and a safe space for all the family. This includes monthly fun activity sessions at the Eastrea Centre.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- It helps families make memories doing fun activities together.
- It provides social support and friendship for children, families and carers. Everyone leaves with a smile.
- It's a chance for children to meet with their friends outside of school.
'Finding a group where we belong has been a game changer, there are always fun well-thought-out activities for all to take part in; it's nice to finally find a group and a place in the community that we can relax and enjoy.' - Attendee of Fen Hands
How to contact
Phone
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
The Eastrea Centre
Roman Gardens
Eastrea
Peterborough
UK
What to Expect:
Fen Hands welcomes children from birth to 18 and their families from Fenland, Peterborough and surrounding areas. The sessions are facilitated by Karen and her volunteers.
Saturday Sessions
Activity sessions run monthly and future dates can be found on the pinned post on the Fen Hands' Facebook page.
Whilst the sessions run on a drop-in basis, Karen would prefer parents to contact her prior to attending for the first time to ensure that it is suitable for families and to discuss any worries or questions you may have about the session.
When you attend for the first time, Karen or one of the volunteers (in blue T-shirts) will welcome you and get you to to sign in. You will then be shown around the venue and have each area explained to you, including where you can get a tea or coffee.
The hall is split up into four areas: crafts, sensory, education and sports. Parents and children are welcome to play in whichever area suits their needs.
- Crafts includes paints, memory-making photo frames and themed crafts.
- Sensory area includes lights, black-out tent, sensory tray and music.
- Education sections includes books and stories.
Parents and children are welcome to play independently in any section from 10:30am to 12:30pm. At 12:30pm, Karen invites the group to come together to take part in TacPac. Tacpac draws together touch and music to create a structured half hour of sensory communication between two people. The sessions end at 1pm.
You don't have to stay for the whole session, you're welcome to leave at any time you may need to.
Holiday Fridays
These are targeted activities for children and for their families to create memories and enjoy. These sessions run every Friday during school holidays (excluding the Christmas Holidays). These are prebooked sessions which are free to attend. Please ring or email Karen to book your space.
There is free parking at the Eastrea centre. Karen provides a pop-up changing space with a hoist and table.
There is also a disabled toilet.
More Information:
Fen Hands has been operating since August 2022. Karen was inspired to start Fen Hands because she recognised that there was a need for families in the area to have a safe space to get together. Families would tell her that they needed a group that was close to home and that could meet their children's clinical needs.
Fen Hands is a constituted group, with a supportive committee behind it. It is run by Karen and volunteers who are all CRB checked.
It relies predominantly on donations that it fundraises for throughout the year.
Karen is strong advocate for children with complex physical health needs and their families, and often promotes inclusivity and attends local events, providing pop-up sensory or activity sessions.
Activity sessions are free to attend.
How to contact
Phone
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
The Eastrea Centre
Roman Gardens
Eastrea
Peterborough
UK
