Reaching Higher Project arts and sports programmes
The Reaching Higher Project provides sports and arts courses for children and young people with additional needs and their siblings using Short Breaks funding from West Sussex County Council.
- A range of different sports and activity options are available
- Suitable for children and young people ages 5-25
- Children with additional needs and their siblings can attend together
- First session free with a Taster Session Ticket. Contact Paul Taylor for more information
All staff and volunteers undertake disability awareness training and safeguarding before they work on the Reaching Higher Project. Lead sports coaches and arts practitioners have specific qualifications relevant to the activity they are delivering. Some leaders have been running these sessions for more than 10 years so have a vast amount of experience.
Athletics
- Autumn Term Dates: Wednesday 20th September to Wednesday 29th November 2023 (Excluding Wednesday 25th October which is half term).
- Time: 5.00pm-6.00pm.
- Venue: The athletics track at The Bridge Leisure Centre with the option of using The Tube or another space indoors if the weather is bad and the session can’t take place outside.
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 7 to 25.
- £4.00 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access Card or Compass Card). Payment must be made online in advance as no cash payments will be accepted and must be done at least 24 hours in advance.
- Led by Ian Ford.
Digital Video Production
- Autumn Term Dates: Saturday 23rd September to Saturday 2nd December 2023 (Excluding Saturday 28th October which is half term).
- Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- Venue: QM Studios for face to face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom. The Zoom meeting details will be sent in your confirmation email when you book
- £5 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access Card or Compass Card). Places must be booked and paid for at least 24 hours in advance of each session.
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 14+
- Led by Jason Sparks
DJ'ing
- Autumn Term Dates: Friday 22nd September to Friday 1st December 2023 (Excluding Friday 27th October which is half term).
- Times: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Venue: QM Studios for face to face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom. The Zoom meeting details will be sent in your confirmation email when you book
- £5 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access Card or Compass Card). Places must be booked and paid for at least 24 hours in advance of each session.
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 14+
- Led by Adam Gellibrand
Inclusive Football
- Inclusive football sessions for ages 6+, all disabilities welcome
- Dates: TBC
- Time: 9:30am-10:30am
- Venue: The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham, RH12 5PJ (3G Pitch)
- For more information email Philip Broom at Philip.Broom@albioninthecommunity.org.uk or visit the AITC website.
Karaoke
- Autumn Term Dates: Friday 22nd September to Friday 1st December 2023 (Excluding Friday 27th October which is half term).
- Time: 4:00pm – 5:45pm.
- Venue: QM Studios for face to face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom. The Zoom meeting details will be sent in your confirmation email when you book.
- £5 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access Card or Compass Card). Places must be booked and paid for at least 24 hours in advance of each session.
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 9+
- Led by Adam Gellibrand.
Rebound Therapy
Rebound Therapy is used to facilitate movement, promote balance, and increase or decrease muscle tone depending on the level and intensity the bed is ridden. It encourages relaxation, promotes sensory integration, improves fitness and exercise tolerance, and develops communication skills. But most of all it is fun!
- Autumn Term Dates: Thursday 2nd November to Thursday 30th November.
- Time: Session 1: 4:00pm-4:40pm. Session 2: 4:45pm-5:25pm. Session 3: 5:30pm-6:10pm. Session 4: 6:15pm-6:55pm.
- Venue: The Studio at QE2 School, Comptons Lane, Horsham, RH13 5NW
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 8 to 25
- £5.00 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access Card or Compass Card). Payment must be made online in advance as no cash payments will be accepted and must be done at least 24 hours in advance
- Maximum Number – 4 for each session
- Led by trained Rebound Therapy coaches from QE2 School
Super 1s cricket
- Free cricket sessions for ages 12-25, all disabilities welcome
- Dates: TBC.
- Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Venue: The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham RH12 5PJ
- For more information email Aroop Tanna at aroop.tanna@sussexcricket.co.uk or visit the Lords Taverners website.
Other sports courses
Other Reaching Higher Project Activities currently not running include:
- Dance
- Wheelchair basketball
- Table Tennis
For more information or if you have any questions, please email paul.taylor@horsham.gov.uk
Alice's story
Alice who lives with her two older sisters, mum and dad. Alice has delayed speech and language skills, particularly struggling with word storage and retrieval. Although she is a shy person, Alice has been attending the Karaoke Club Reaching Higher Project sessions organised by our Sports Development team for over a year now.
She absolutely adores spending time with her family, but her mum and dad wanted to encourage her to get involved with extra-curricular activities to help increase her self-confidence and independence skills and broaden her circle of friends and acquaintances.
When the family first discovered the Karaoke Club in January 2019, Alice was unsure about joining, but eventually she plucked up the courage and got involved. When the coronavirus pandemic began last year, the sessions moved online which provided a very different experience.
In the last year Alice has come along leaps and bounds – not only with her self-confidence, but also her ability to use the technology to enjoy the sessions virtually.
Alice’s mum said: “Karaoke Club is a place where she can sing at her own ability, with no criticism, only encouragement, within a safe and supported environment. The sessions have allowed Alice to remain in touch with friends and make new acquaintances within the group.
“Singing and dancing her heart out is absolutely her thing and she ensures she has written Karaoke Club on the calendar every week to remind us all.
“During lockdown, it has been the highlight of the week for her. Not only has talking and seeing people been good for her mental health, but singing, dancing and laughing have been very important for both her mental and physical well-being.”
Alice herself said: “Doing Karaoke Club makes me feel happy. I love singing and dancing. I like seeing my friends at Karaoke Club on Zoom and I am excited about going back to the studio soon.
“I listen to my friends sing their songs. When it’s my turn, I click the song on Spotify and sing. I like songs by ABBA, Little Mix, Ariane Grande, Mylie Cyrus, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.”
Feedback from our sessions
“Ben has taken part in the Horsham Wheels for All sessions where he has gained confidence to ride a balance bike and Karaoke where he can sing his heart out with no judgement."
A parent/carer of someone who attends different activity sessions.
"The Reaching Higher Project activities have allowed us to have a short break and also make us feel good that there are activities our son can take part in that he couldn't do otherwise, which take away our own anxieties and worries."
A parent/carer of someone who attends different activity sessions.
"We do a 55-mile round trip (home-college pick up, Horsham Wheels for All, home) which shows how much we appreciate this activity. Good value, good quality equipment, very helpful and friendly volunteers/staff."
A parent/carer of someone who attends Horsham Wheels for All sessions.
"My son has attended the Rebound Therapy sessions since he was 5 years old and he absolutely loves the sessions and looks forward to them every week."
A parent/carer of someone who attends Reaching Higher Rebound Therapy sessions.
Horsham Wheels for All is a chance for us to spend time together and exercise together without worrying about cars or dogs which Alan is afraid of."
A parent/carer of someone who attends Horsham Wheels for All sessions.
Great for activities that the whole family can enjoy. Wonderful that siblings can join in too."
A parent/carer of someone who attends Reaching Higher project sessions.
"It was great to see everyone fully included. The athletics has been absolutely brilliant, all kids were having a great time and there was so much for them to do."
A parent/carer of someone who attends Reaching Higher Athletics sessions.
"It's great to have the continuity of the dance sessions and to be able to see the members of the group. There is great interaction between the young people and support staff, which during these unprecedented times of the Coronavirus brings a sense of normality to their lives. I feel this is a very positive session.”
A parent/carer of someone who attends the virtual Zoom dance sessions.
"The virtual DJ club and quiz has been an absolute godsend. It has given him an outlet to enjoy engaging in something he really enjoys. He has found lockdown really tricky and his anxiety levels have been high but to be able to take part in the DJ club online has given him a bit of normality. He really enjoys it even if his team loses the quiz every week. Thank you so much to Adam and Jack and everyone who had made this possible with funding."
Parent of a young person who attends the virtual DJ sessions.
"The session gives Henry opportunity to meet mates online safely and have fun, which is especially important during periods when he is unable to go to school or meet friends out of school due to lockdown or COVID restrictions. The leaders are very good at encouraging appropriate social interaction such as taking turns, being kind as well as encouraging each participant to communicate effectively in the sessions The sessions give us a much needed break at home - they are a lifeline."
Caroline, parent/carer of Henry
"Pleased that you have been able to adapt and deliver these sessions which Dan really enjoys. His whole social life has been on hold since last March, so this is an important way for him to keep in touch with you and his friends and have some semblance of the old routine to stick to!"
Steve, parent/carer of Daniel
"It's awesome and great. Hannah and Alysha are good teachers and I love the dance"
AT, participant
"Dancing is good (and a thumbs up)”
RW, participant