Fun summer holiday activities
across Dorset for families with
children who are disabled
A special edition from The Xchange
For information on registered childcare, holiday activities and outdoor play areas
contact:
l Dorset Family Information Service, Grove House, Millers Close, Dorchester DT1 1SS
Tel: 01305 221066 Email: familyinfo@dorsetcc.gov.uk Web: www.dorsetforyou.com/fis
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 5:30pm,
Things to look for:
Choosing a holiday activity is a big step. Each activity is different, so try and contact several activity
organisers in order to see what would be best for both you and your child. Here are a few suggestions
for questions you may wish to ask when you contact an activity provider.
• Are your staff CRB checked?
• Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
• Does your activity cater for children with additional needs, special
• educational needs or children who are disabled?
• What experience and training have your staff had?
• Is a qualified First Aider present at all times?
• Can my child have a say in the activities they take part in?
• Am I able to claim the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit
• for your activity?
• Is an adult required to stay with the child during the activity?
• Is this a family activity?
• Can I see your latest Ofsted inspection report? (Ofsted registered childcare only)
Finally…. Always trust your own feelings about an activity – you know your child best!
Note: The information contained in this brochure is supplied by the organisations themselves. Please satisfy yourself
with the quality and suitability of an organisation prior to participation. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of this information, Dorset County Council cannot be held liable for any mistakes or omissions, nor any
claim, loss or damage resulting from the use or accuracy of this publication.
Parents of participants with additional needs or special educational needs or children who
are disabled are always recommended to contact the relevant provider for advice before
booking or attending an activity.
Children’s Centres
These are for all families with children under five. They provide a range of services, depending on local
need and parental choice. The services offered will not be the same everywhere, because needs and
communities vary greatly.
What you can expect to find at a Children’s Centre
By working together with a variety of organisations Children’s Centres provide:
• Access to health services
• Access to education, training and employment advice
• Activity sessions for you and your child
• Family Support and learning opportunities
• Parent forums
Registered Childcare - Some centres offer integrated registered childcare in the form of a nursery,
playgroup or out of school care.
Activities for children who are disabled - Some centres may be running activities over the summer
holidays for children aged 0 – 5. The schemes give parents the chance to have a short break from
caring or to spend quality time with their other children.
A full list of Dorset Children’s Centres is available from the dorsetforyou website.
For more information, visit: www.dorsetforyou.com/childrenscentres
Activities supported under the Aiming High programme
The following organisations have been supported by Dorset County
Council to provide short break opportunities. Check with them direct for
up to date details of summer opportunities they may have on offer this
year and to find out if they are suitable for you.
ARTZ+ Events Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01305 252250
Play Opportunities Summer Holidays Various
Email: leisure@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/artz+
A STARS: (Aspergers & Autism related club) Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 01305 778032 or 784654
Club play Opportunities Saturdays only
Email: gillianlorraine@supanet.com
Website: www.astars.org.uk
DIVERSE ABILITIES PLUS Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01202 718266
Email: cate.mcgrath@diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk
Play Opportunities Summer Holidays Various Website: www.diversabilitiesplus.org.uk
DORCHESTER YMCA Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01305 266467
Email: dorchester-ymca@hotmail.co.uk
Various activities Please call Website: www.dorchester-ymca.org.uk
BEACH HUTS for hire Area: LYME REGIS
‘Phone: 01297 445175
Website: www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/
Remember that for a seaside day out there are pages/services.htm
now accessible beach huts available for hire at Area: STUDLAND or CHRISTCHURCH
Lyme Regis and for members of Dorset Parent
Email: dpccbeachhuts@live.co.uk
Carer Council at Christchurch and Studland
Website: www.dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk
SPORTZ+ Events Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01305 252250
Email: leisure@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Various activities Summer Holidays Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/artz+
VICTORIA SCHOOL Adventure days Area: POOLE
‘Phone: 01202 758325
Email: bmorris@victoria.poole.sch.uk
Various activities Summer Holidays Website: www.victoriaadventurebreaks.co.uk/
index.html
THOMAS HARDYE Swimming Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: Andrea Dabbs on 01305 266772
Swimming on Saturdays
3
Activities supported under the Aiming High programme
COPING WITH CHAOS Events Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01202 855105
Email: info@copingwithchaos.org
Play Opportunities Summer Holidays Various Website: www.copingwithchaos.org
FUTURE ROOTS Events Area: SHERBORNE
‘Phone: 01963 210254
Email: juliep@futureroots.net
Farm Activities Summer Holidays Sherborne Website: www.futureroots.net/8.html
DORSET BEFRIENDERS PROJECT Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01202 862580
Email: shelly.rossiter@ymca-fg.org
Befrienders Summer Holidays Across Dorset Website: www.ymca-fg.org/volunteering
PLAY PROJECTS Area: WIMBORNE
‘Phone: 01202 862580
Email: shelly.rossiter@ymca-fg.org
Various Activities Summer Holidays Shaftesbury
DORCHESTER YOUTH SERVICE Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01305 860354
Email: sandyncave@yahoo.co.uk
Youth Club Summer Holidays Dorchester Website:
SAIL LASER Area: PORTLAND
‘Phone: 0845 337 3214
Email: info-weymouth@sail-laser.com
Sailing activities Website: www.sail-laser.com
FERNHEATH PLAY ASSOCIATION Area: FERNHEATH
‘Phone: 01202 581008
Email: paul@fernheath.org
Play sessions Website: www.fernheath.org
SHEILING SCHOOL Area: ACROSS DORSET
‘Phone: 01425 482408
Various Activities September-March Ringwood Email: admissions@sheilingschool.co.uk
Website: www.shelingschool.co.uk
ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS Area: POOLE
‘Phone: 01305 260954
Email: alicechutter@activateperformingarts.
Theatre Activities August-September Poole org.uk
Website: www.activateperformingarts.org.uk
4
The following organisations may provide activities that are suitable for your child. Basic details are
given. More information can be found on the FIS website below. We always recommend that you
contact the provider direct to find out if the activity is suitable for your child and his/her needs.
ADVENTURE WONDERLAND AVON TYRELL –outdoor activity centre
Area: CHRISTCHURCH Area: CHRISTCHURCH
‘Phone: 01202 483444 ‘Phone: 01425 672347
Email: info@adventurewonderland.co.uk Email: info@ukyouth.org
Website: www.adventurewonderland.co.uk Website: www.avontyrell.org.uk
BRENSCOMBE OUTDOOR CENTRE BRIDPORT LEISURE CENTRE
Area: WAREHAM Area: BRIDPORT
‘Phone: 01929 481222 ‘Phone: 01308 427464
Email: info@brenscombeoutdoor.co.uk Email: info@bridportleisure.com
Website: www.brenscombeoutdoor.co.uk Website: www.bridportleisure.com
BUDMOUTH SPORTS CENTRE CHRISTCHURCH ACTIVITIES
Area: CHICKERELL Area: CHRISTCHURCH
‘Phone: 01305 830508 ‘Phone: 07785 935928
Email: bcsc@budmouth.dorset.sch.uk Email: jae.harris@christchurchactivities.org.uk
Website: www.budmouthsports.co.uk Website: www.christchurchactivities.org.uk
COUNTRYSIDE PLAY RANGERS DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
Area: VARIOUS Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01425 470721 ‘Phone: 01305 266926
Email: playrangers@eastdorset.gov.uk Email: enquiries@dorchesterarts.org.uk
Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/ Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
countrysideplayrangers
DORSET FOREST SCHOOL GYMNASTICS/TRAMPOLINING FOR GIRLS
Area: WEST DORSET Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 07957 390087 ‘Phone: 01305 813113
Email: dorsetforestschool@gmail.com Email: redlands@weymouth.ac.uk
Website: www.dorsetforestschool.org.uk Website: www.redlandscommunitysportshub.co.uk
5
LITTLE KICKERS LLAMA TREKKING
Area: VARIOUS Area: WEST DORSET
‘Phone: 01202 258697 ‘Phone: 01308 868674
Email: jhatton@littlekickers.co.uk Email: brenda@ukllamas.co.uk
Website: www.littlekickers.co.uk Website:
MERCURY DANCE SUMMER SCHOOL TEAM FREEDOM-HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Area: WEYMOUTH Area: VARIOUS
‘Phone: 01305 814700 ‘Phone: 01202 886201 ext 2228
Email: enquiries@mercurydance.co.uk Email: manderson@eastdorset.gov.uk
Website: www.mercurydance.co.uk Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/399239
VERWOOD LEISURE CENTRE OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE
Area: VERWOOD Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 01202 821007 ‘Phone: 01305 784927
Email: information@verwoodleisure.co.uk Email: woec@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Website: www.verwoodleisure.co.uk Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/
outdoorandactive
OXLEY SPORTS CENTRE HIGHER GREEN FARM ARTS
Area: SHERBORNE Area: SHAFTESBURY
‘Phone: 01935 818270 ‘Phone: 01747 812593
Email: info@oxleysc.com Email: highergreenfarm@yahoo.com
Website: www.oxleysc.com Website: www.highergreenfarmarts.co.uk
SHELL BAY SAILING CENTRE QUEEN ELIZABETH LEISURE CENTRE
Area: SWANAGE Area: WIMBORNE
‘Phone: 01258 880512 ‘Phone: 01202 888208
Email: info@shellbaysailing.co.uk Email: info@qe-leisure-centre.co.uk
Website: www.shellbaysailing.co.uk Website: www.qe-leisure-centre.co.uk
6
TWO RIVERSMEET LEISURE CENTRE COMMUNITY SPORTS CENTRE
Area: CHRISTCHURCH Area: STURMINSTER NEWTON
‘Phone: 01202 477987 ‘Phone: 01258 471831
Email: 2rm.enquiries@christchurch.gov.uk Email:
Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/2rm Website: www.jurassicleisure.co.uk
WEYMOUTH COLLEGE JUNIOR CLUB ARTSREACH
Area: WEYMOUTH Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01305 761100 ‘Phone: 01305 269512
Email: fitnessforlife@weymouth.ac.uk Email: delphine@artsreach.co.uk
Website: www.weymouth.ac.uk Website: www.artsreach.co.uk
BOVINGTON TANK MUSEUM BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE
Area: WAREHAM Area: BRIDPORT
‘Phone: 01929 405096 ‘Phone: 01308 424204
Email: info@tankmusuem.org Email:
Website: www.tankmusuem.org Website: www.bridport-arts.com
CORFE CASTLE EVENTS CATERPILLAR WORKSHOP
Area: WAREHAM Area: BRIDPORT
‘Phone: 01929 481294 ‘Phone: 01929 406029
Email: Email: kmerry@butterfly-conservation.org
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk Website:
DO IT 4 REAL SUMMER CAMPS DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST
Area: VARIOUS Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01629 592530 ‘Phone: 01300 320684
Email: doit4real@yha.org.uk Email: office@kingcombecentre.org.uk
Website: www.doit4real.co.uk Website: www.kingcombecentre.org
7
DURLSTON COUNTRY PARK MONKTON WYLD COURT
Area: SWANAGE Area: BRIDPORT
‘Phone: 01929 424443 ‘Phone: 01297 560342
Email: info@durlston.co.uk Email: monktonwyldcourt@btinternet.com
Website: www.durlston.co.uk Website: www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk
FIRE FAYRE FRIDAY DROP IN
Area: WEYMOUTH Area: WAREHAM
‘Phone: 01305 753042 (Thurs+Fri) ‘Phone: 01929 552934
Email: jo.malyon@dorsetfire.gov.uk Email:
Website: www.dorsetfire.gov.uk/index.php? Website:
ref=580
GIVE WINDSURFING A GO HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Area: PORTLAND Area: CHRISTCHURCH
‘Phone: 0121 288 9965 ‘Phone: 01425 278807
Email: info@otc-windsurf.com Email:
Website: www.otc-windsurf.com Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
ISLAND PLAY (IPLAY) KAYAK & STAND UP PADDLEBOARD
Area: PORTLAND Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 07817 305197 ‘Phone: 07743 346468
Email: info@islandplay.org.uk Email: info@weymouthwatersports.co.uk
Website: www.islandplay.org.uk Website: www.weymouthwatersports.co.uk
KIDS COOKERY WORKSHOP KINGSTON LACY NATIONAL TRUST
Area: POOLE Area: WIMBORNE
‘Phone: 07775 742900 ‘Phone: 01202 883402
Email: Email: kingstonlacy@nationatrust.org.uk
Website: www.white-pepper.co.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingstonlacy
8
LETS MAKE IT! LORTON MEADOW WILDLIFE CENTRE
Area: WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 01305 838497 ‘Phone: 01305 264620
Email: juliehursthouse@weymouth.gov.uk Email: enquiries@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Website: www.weymouth.gov.uk Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
LYME REGIS LIFEBOAT WEEK (July) MIXED GYMNASTICS & TRAMPOLINING
Area: LYME REGIS Area: WEYMOUTH
‘Phone: 01297 442683 ‘Phone: 01305 813113
Email: rjmichael@aol.com Email: redlands@weymouth.ac.uk
Website: Website: www.redlandscommunitysportshub.co.uk
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK CHEEKY MONKEY TEA PARTY –NCT
Area: VARIOUS Area: DORCHESTER
‘Phone: 01305 225085 ‘Phone: 08442 436323
Email: travelchoice@dorsetcc.gvo.uk Email: weydorchnct@gmail.com
Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/travelchoice Website: www.nct.org.uk
NOTHE FORT FAMILY ACTIVITIES RED HOUSE MUSEUM
Area: WEYMOUTH Area: CHRISTCHURCH
‘Phone: 01305 766626 ‘Phone: 0845 603 5635
Email: nothefort@uwclub.net Email:
Website: www.nothefort.org.uk Website: www.hants.gov.uk/redhouse
SEA ANGLING TASTER SESSIONS STOURHEAS ESTATE—TREE CLIMBLING
Area: WEYMOUTH Area: WILTSHIRE
‘Phone: 01935 471005 ‘Phone: 01747 842012
Email: moonfleet_angling@btinternet.com Email: anne.butler@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.moonfleet-angling.com Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-
stourhead
9
STUR STEPPERS DANCE SCHOOL SUMMER FAYRE
Area: STURMINSTER NEWTON Area: WAREHAM
‘Phone: 01258 475137 ‘Phone: 01929 552201
Email: info@stur-exchange.co.uk Email:
Website: www.stur-exchange.co.uk Website:
ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WILD CHILD EXPLORERS
Area: WIMBORNE Area: SWANAGE
‘Phone: 01725 517618 ‘Phone: 01929 450259
Email: info@edht.org.uk Email:
Website: www.dorsetforyou.com/earthouse Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
STAGECOACH SUMMER SCHOOL
Area: STURMINSTER NEWTON
‘Phone: 01258 475137
Email: info@stur-exchange.co.uk
Website: www.stur-exchange.co.uk
Have you joined the Xchange yet?
What is it? Dorset Max Card for children
It’s the interactive news and who are disabled
information network for children who If your local authority is Weymouth
are disabled and their families across + Portland, Purbeck, Christchurch
Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. or East, North or West Dorset then
your child may be entitled to a
The three local authorities are Dorset Max Card giving
working together to provide a one discounted access or benefits at
stop source for help and information. over 50 local locations from
Starbucks in Dorchester to
Joining is completely free and has Weymouth Sea Life Centre to
loads of benefits. Falmer Palmers and many more.
There are over 300 For an Xchange application
families who are form contact Catherine on
01305 224523 or email
members already! theXchange@dorsetcc.gov.uk
10