Trafford 2010

How could we improve?

• It is good as it is.
• Bit chaotic in the morning for speaking to the member of staff looking after him. Make split groups for different ages.
• Keep going as you are. LFA playschemes are very happy things to experience. A little bit of magic.
• Keep up the great work. It would be fantastic to expand to other holidays; more dates.
• Difficult to know as it currently works so well.
• Everything is so well organised. Would love the scheme to carry on longer over school holidays. Always willing to take more days.
• I was expecting at least 7 days. If you provide the lunch in the play scheme children can learn to eat outside the house. If you plan for each holiday the children get the chance to socialise.

What difference did your child's attendance on the scheme make to their siblings and / or wider family?

• Able to give attention to other children.
• More time to spend with his sister.
• Enabled me to carry out routine tasks at home. To spend quality time with his brother.
• It gave us valuable time without being distracted or interrupted. For the other children to be the focus for a change. Time to draw breath and rest a little.
• Enabled siblings to do the kind of activities it's impossible to do with him. Huge difference. Our other children can relax and enjoy the day. The scheme has been hugely beneficial not only to my ASD son but my older children. As much as they love them there is an enormous burden of care placed on the older ones. Every waking moment involves accommodating their needs which they do without complaint. I am aware they need a break from it. Whilst this scheme is on they can just relax. They can also enjoy quality time with their extended family members, having uninterrupted conversations, baking, board games etc. This may sound very mundane but they cherish the opportunity that LfA provide.
• enormous benefits for my older children. We can go out and enjoy things they like. Usually, family life revolves around accommodating their brothers but for 5 hours LfA relieves them of the burden of caring for their brothers and they can actually enjoy being children, doing activities they like.
• His confidence has grown each time he attends.
• It was great to know my child was being looked after by loving carers and was included in a wide range of activities.
• It has a significant impact as we need 2 people to take both children out. We have to take unpaid leave to get through the holidays. LfA takes the pressure off. It enable us to do things with our other daughter that we couldn't do with her siblings. Her birthday falls during the scheme so I can take her out for a treat with her friends.
• Gave us chance to spend quality time with his siblings.
• I got free time to take a rest. I got to take a breather.
• It gave us the opportunity to have a relaxed day with our other two children.
• We were able to take his sisters for days out without being restricted because of his behaviour when out in certain situations.

General Comments

• I am satisfied with LfA. Very positive for all.
• Great scheme for all concerned.
• LfA is a life saver. The summer holiday is so long and is very daunting at the start so it helps to know he can spend some days on the scheme.
• it is such a valuable asset for all of us. He thoroughly enjoys his time and it also encourages his communication & social skills. The volunteers I can't speak highly enough of - kind, friendly, reassuring and wonderful.
• LfA is the most positive of any respite / activities we have found. The staff are always happy and have a great relationship with the children who they know well and are clearly fond of. As a parent you often feel that any scheme is just a few hours break but with LfA you just know the children love it. You cannot underestimate what an achievement it is to get the approval of these children. they love the activities, the bus rides and are familiar and comfortable with the staff. I cannot speak highly enough of this fantastic scheme.
• My child is non-verbal and autistic but was included in all activities. All members of staff are loving and caring. It is amazing to see his elf confidence grow each time he comes back from the scheme. Would love him to attend more / other playschemes with LfA. He loves going to the scheme. Would love to send him to other schemes, not just summer. Many thanks.
• Brilliant. The children are happy, enjoy themselves and are well looked after. The summer holidays would be very difficult on the rest of the family without the scheme.
• Thank you- it was excellent. He seems to have really enjoyed himself. The staff were lovely.
• The children are getting the opportunity to socialise and they are learning skills to manage themselves without parents.. They enjoy the outdoors and get the chance to learn new skills. I am very happy to send my son. I am really thankful to the whole team. they gave proper information at the right time. I am eagerly awaiting the next scheme. thanks to all of you.
• Very grateful and hope to be able to access this service again. We are also interested in Saturday schemes. It would be very helpful to us.

Pictures of the scheme are available on our Facebook page: Leisure Forautism