ChatSS - Q&A

Question and Answer

Questions and answers to : angela.daffada@ntlworld.com

Q: Does anyone know what type of photoID you can get to prove a child's age? And where/how you can get it?

Q: Does anyone know of a hairdresser (for girls) in Hertford/ Ware/ Hoddesdon that is good with children with SEN and reasonably priced? (My current hairdresser now charges over £40 a time for trims for my two girls and my daughter's hair is never evenly cut as she finds it hard to keep still)
1) This hairdresser is very happy to cut any child/adult with Special needs/learning disabilities hair. She is lovely and bright and smiley and Zach has suddenly decided having his haircut isn't quite so bad!! Her name is Rosie Murphy and her phone number is 0770 300 5679 or email her at baby_gurl_roseanne@hotmail.com

2) Kerry Fox: I am a qualified hairdresser, but now work with children with special needs. With almost all the children I have worked with over the last nine years, I have become their hairdresser, so I am very experienced with cutting hair for children and teenagers who, for various reasons, find sitting through a haircut challenging. My number is 07792 349435. I live near Hitchin, but am happy to travelto Ware/Hertford.
3) There is a very good hairdressers located on Church Street near the back of Tesco's in Ware. It's a blue painted shop which I think is called Sullivan A Cuts. It's located between Sfizio Italian Restaurant and the Pizza takeaway. They cut the hair of several children with special needs that I know and they are very patient and understanding. They are also very reasonably priced (eg a dry cut for both myself and my little girl costs only about £20).

Q: Where can I get disposable identity wrist bands I can use when on holiday? I have this nightmare of losing my son with SEN on the beach..........
A:They are available from Fledglings for £1.95 for a pack of 10. Fledglings have a huge range of products covering of needs of children with special needs. It is always worth asking them if you are looking for something in particular for your child- they are very helpful and have a wide variety of products. Even though the wristbands looked fragile I was really impressed! They survived hours in the sea and more hours in the sand and were perfectly legible when removed at the end of the day. They only came off when pulled very hard - or picked off gradually over hours.......

Q: Does anyone have any idea’s for good places to take the children during the holidays?
A: We have a list of leisure organisations which accept the HAND membership card (HAND list), and give some sort of concession for you or your child. Also recommended we have:

1) Paradise Wildlife Park. (White Stubbs Lane · Broxbourne) www.pwpark.com
"Although a bit pricey, they are very good. You can use your HAND card to get a concession off the price of the ticket. As well as seeing the animals they have a great playgrounds suitable for children with a wide range of abilites, and easily accessible disabled toliet. They even have a sectioned - off area called something like "Special Place" which is soley for children with Special Needs. This includes a swing which you can put a wheelchair directly on ......."

2) Willows Farm. (London Colney 0870 129 9718 ) www.willowsfarmvillage.com
"They give carer free and disabled price of £6.60. It is fully accessable for wheelchairs and there is something for everyone. They have just had a new adventure area which is open to all ages (always an issue when you have a 14 year old). This is indoors so if the weather is bad then it's another option as well as a huge farm and outside play areas. They have sheepdog shows and other animal shows where they talk about the animals and show them working. It's a great place in the summer but now with the indoor area it can be accessed all year round."

3) Sports: There are lots of Centres that provide the opportunity to try various sports during the holidays. Those that families have found to be inclusive and have told us about are outlined in our clubs page. Of special mention is the "Disability Sports Programme" run by Enfield Council. They provide opportunities for children with SEN to try various sports, and their siblings are welcome to register too. For more details contact Ian Reddington on 07983 964329 or 0208 3512470.

4)Thames Valley Adventure Playground - www.tvap.co.uk
a purpose built play area with indoor and outdoor equipment for children with special needs. Located near Maidenhead in Berkshire.

5) Legoland, near Windsor for rides www.legoland.co.uk

6) Van Hages Garden Centre (near Ware) - www.vanhage.co.uk "lots to do for the children there, from visiting the animals to the playground, play houses and a ride on the miniature train".

7)The Future Gardens@Butterfly World Project (Miriam Lane, Chiswell Green,HERTS) - www.futuregardens.org
" It was a fantastic place, very sensory, lots for children to see, lovely bright colours (loads of flowers everywhere), huge terracotta plant pots to walk through (I mean huge) a tropical butterfly house, a huge circle of sunflowers with a big chalk butterfly in the middle, the Very Hungry Caterpillar garden and lots more. It was £5 per child, carers get in free and at the moment (it has only just opened) they have a two for one offer for adults (it is £12.50 per adult). They have picnic areas and also a cafe."