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
- Summer Term Dates: Wednesday 23rd April to Wednesday 2nd July 2025 (Excluding Wednesday 28th May 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.
Dance
- Reaching Higher Dance in partnership with Y.E.S Project (Youth Empowered Space)
- Summer Term Dates: Monday 28th April to Monday 30th June 2025 (Excluding Monday 5th May which is a Bank Holiday and Monday 26th May which is half term).
- Time: 5.15pm-6.15pm.
- Venue: The Studio at QE2 School, Comptons Lane, Horsham, RH13 5NW.
- Age: For children and young people with additional needs aged 7-25 and their siblings.
- Cost: £5 per session (20% discount for people with a Leisure Access 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 Jade Hand.
Digital Video Production
- Summer Term Dates: Saturday 26th April to Saturday 5th July 2025 (Excluding Saturday 31st May which is half term).
- Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- Venue: QM Studios in Denne Road, Horsham for face-to-face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom with a meeting code obtained from the session leader.
- £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
- Summer Term Dates: Friday 2nd May to Friday 11th July 2025 (Excluding Friday 30th May which is half term).
- Times: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Venue: QM Studios in Denne Road, Horsham for face-to-face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom with a meeting code obtained from the session leader.
- £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
Downtime Yoga
We are excited to introduce Reaching Higher Project: Downtime, a weekly yoga session for children and young people with additional needs designed to help support wellbeing through cultivating self-regulation, body awareness and harmony within.
Rachael is a local Horsham resident who completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training qualification in India in 2023. As a bubbly and welcoming teacher, her sessions provide a supportive and nurturing environment to explore a series of breathing and relaxation techniques that are designed to help calm and regulate the nervous system.
Why Downtime Yoga?
Yoga is a powerful tool for all, which teaches ways to:
- Improve emotional regulation and stress relief
- Enhance body awareness and co-ordination
- Develop mindfulness and relaxation techniques to counter anxiety and aid with a restful sleep
- Increase confidence and self-expression
Session Details:
- Thursdays from 5th June to 3rd July 2025
- The Meeting Room at The Bridge Leisure Centre, Broadbridge Heath
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Open to children and young people with additional needs aged 5 to 25.
- £4 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.
Join us in creating a sense of calm, strength and self-discovery in a welcoming and inclusive space. Places are limited to 8 per session.
Please note: As these sessions are designed to promote calm and peace, children who are looking for a more energetic and expressive class are warmly encouraged to book a separate one-to-one session with Rachael to ensure they receive a tailored and enjoyable experience. For more information on the above or to arrange a one-to-one session, please contact Paul Taylor on 07764 146339 or paul.taylor@horsham.gov.uk
Inclusive Football
- Inclusive football sessions for juniors aged 5+ and adults take place on Saturdays. All disabilities welcome
- Spring 2025 Dates:
- The Forest School: January 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. February 1st, 8th and 15th. March 15th, 22nd and 29th. April 5th.
- The Holbrook Club: March 1st and 8th. April 26th.
- Time: 9:00am-10:00am for 5-9 year olds. 9:30am-10:30am for 10-15 year olds. 10:30am-12:00pm for 16+ and adults
- Summer 2025 Dates: TBC
- Venues: The Forest School, Comptons Lane, Horsham, RH13 5NT. The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham, RH12 5PJ.
- For more information and to make a booking please email Philip Broom at Philip.Broom@bhafcfoundation.org.uk or visit the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation website.
Karaoke
- Summer Term Dates: Friday 2nd May to Friday 11th July 2025 (Excluding Friday 30th May which is half term).
- Time: 4:00pm – 5:45pm.
- Venue: QM Studios in Denne Road, Horsham for face-to-face sessions, or you can login virtually using Zoom with a meeting code obtained from the session leader.
- £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.
Play Sessions for SEN & Autistic Young People
- Summer Term Dates: Wednesday 23rd April to Wednesday 16th July 2025 (Excluding Wednesday 28th May which is half term).
- Time: 4.00pm-5.30pm.
- Summer Holiday Dates: Friday 1st and Friday 15th August 2:00pm-4:30pm
- A range of activities including bouncy castle, soft play, table tennis, soft archery, football, arts & crafts and much more.
- Venue: The Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Spierbridge Road, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4PG (ample free parking available)
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 5 to 16.
- FREE – no need to book – just turn up
- This session is facilitated by the Storrington & Sullington Neighbourhood Wardens and Chanctonbury Leisure Centre. Parental supervision is required throughout
- For more information please contact Chanctonbury Leisure Centre on (01903) 681220 or email enquiries@ccleisure.org. Please follow the Centre on Facebook or Instagram for all the latest news
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!
- Horsham
- Summer Term Dates: Thursday 24th April to Thursday 3rd July 2025 (Excluding Thursday 29th May which is half term).
- 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 6 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 – 3 for each session on one trampoline
- Led by trained Rebound Therapy coaches
- Storrington
- Summer Term Dates: Wednesday 23rd April to Wednesday 2nd July 2025 (Excluding Wednesday 21st May and Wednesday 28th May which is half term).
- Time: Session 1: 4:30pm-5:10pm. Session 2: 5:15pm-5:55pm.
- Venue: Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Spierbridge Road, Storrington, RH20 4BG
- For children and young people with additional needs aged 6 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 – 6 for each session on two trampolines
- Led by trained Rebound Therapy coaches
Super 1s cricket
- Free cricket sessions for people aged 12-25. All disabilities welcome
- Dates: Monday 28th April to Monday 14th July 2025 (Excluding Monday 5th May which is a Bank Holiday and Monday 26th May which is half term).
- Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Venue: The Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham RH12 5PJ
- For more information please visit Sussex Cricket Foundation Inclusive Cricket or email foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk
Other sports courses
Other Reaching Higher Project Activities currently not running include:
- 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