National Lottery grants £10,000 to charity which runs playschemes for special needs children in Stortford
A charity which has been providing playschemes for children with special needs and their siblings in Bishop’s Stortford for a quarter of a century has been given a £10,000 grant by the National Lottery Community Fund.
CHIPS (Children’s Integrated Playschemes) was established 25 years ago to provide fully accessible playschemes and social opportunities for children aged three to 19 with special needs and for their brothers and sisters.
It operates Saturday sessions during term times and over the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays in Stortford, Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon and Cheshunt.
CHIPS chair of trustees Graham Nickson said: “This grant is very welcome. The inclusion of brothers and sisters into CHIPS playschemes is fundamental to the CHIPS philosophy of being fully inclusive and providing support for the whole family.
“It makes CHIPS unique in Hertfordshire and possibly beyond. Attending CHIPS together allows children to play together and, crucially, means that the child with special needs is seen first as a child who wants to have fun, to be equal with other children and not to be left out.
“CHIPS is commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council to organise playschemes for children with special needs. However, they do not fund brothers and sisters. We therefore rely on active fundraising and donations to cover our costs.”