Our holiday sessions bring miles of smiles!

The SNAP Centre is busy with families coming and going every day, but it becomes a hive of activity, laughter and fun during the school holiday sessions, most notably during the summer break. SNAP creates a packed programme of activities and provides a wealth of information to help families with children and young people with special needs get through a potentially difficult period.

SNAP parent Angela and her family have accessed a wide range of summer activities at SNAP and found them all invaluable.

“SNAP builds such a safe and nurturing environment that my youngest son instantly feels comfortable and runs straight off to get involved. SNAP is the only place where this happens,” says Angela.

And while Angela’s son is playing in the main activity hall she is able to talk to other parents and carers sharing experiences.

“The whole time that he is playing I am being supported too. I get a chance to talk to others in similar situations about my concerns and there are always members of the SNAP family team on hand to talk to.”

Angela is extremely appreciative of SNAP’s unique ethos of supporting the whole family and two of her son’s older brothers have both attended SIBS4FUN – a week of activities entirely dedicated to the siblings of children with a special need or disability.

“Every activity is so well thought through by the SNAP team, and the staff and volunteers encourage him to interact with other children in such a caring manner that he does so with ease. This is a social skill that he normally really struggles with, and during the school day, one that he finds exhausting. At SNAP, he is free of the expectations of school and able to focus on having fun, and it’s fabulous to watch him happy and relaxed. He loves being in the outside play area, but he also likes a game on the snooker table!”

“My family wouldn’t miss SIBS4FUN for all the world. With much of our activity in the holidays undertaken with my son as a priority it is amazing to be able to give his brothers a week dedicated entirely to them. They really look up to the young volunteers and are inspired by them and that includes their older sister who has been helping for the last six years.”

Fellow parent Suzannah and her family also cherish their visits to SNAP:

“The SNAP sessions in the holidays make life so much easier because you can have a stress free few hours with people that understand and know your children. Plus time to relax and recharge your batteries. My children look forward to coming to a safe and welcoming place they love.”

For Pam Kinsella, Family Support Adviser at SNAP the holiday sessions are an opportunity to catch-up with past families too:

“The team and volunteers are so happy to see everyone. It’s brilliant to see parents, children and young people who can’t attend sessions during term time, and see how much they have grown and developed, and to see how happy they are to be back at the centre.”

Thank you to Essex County Council – Shortbreaks – for their continued support of SNAP’s holiday sessions.

If you would like to sponsor one of SNAP’s future holiday sessions please contact SNAP’s fundraising team on 01277 245345 or email [email protected]

Recent News

Follow Us

Helpline: 01277 211300

Email: [email protected]

9.00am until 4.00pm Monday to Thursday
and 9.00am until 3.00pm on Friday.

Volunteer for SNAP

Helping out at our centre or supporting one of our many activities. Find out more »