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Philosophy Therapy Services Children are referred to the service through health, education or directly by parents. A system is in place to ensure early intervention wherever possible, which means that some of our children are seen within a few months of their birth up until the age of five. The needs of each child are assessed and the team of professionals at White Lodge, including the parents or guardians, work together to devise an individual programme for the child. The therapy services combine elements of various techniques including the Bobath approach and Halliwick hydrotherapy in preparing the child’s programme. Progress is reviewed regularly so that we continue to meet the child’s changing needs. A variety of specialist clinics are offered by White Lodge. For example, medical reviews, Botox, Orthotics, Audiology and orthopaedic clinics are all held at the Centre, reducing the necessity for the family to travel to various locations for appointments and, at the same time, ensuring that all current up-to-date information about the child is shared among the professionals who need to know. Back to top of page The Nursery Play and fun is fundamental in encouraging children to achieve and develop socially, physically and intellectually. The nursery day is from 9.30am to 3.30pm and follows the National Curriculum Foundation Stage and Birth to Three Matters Guidance. Additional activities such as horse riding, hydrotherapy and gym club are included within the programme. The nursery staff work closely with the other professionals at White Lodge to ensure they know what is required of them to assist the child’s developing physical abilities and social and self-help skills, and to develop an effective communication system alongside the acquisition of early learning skills. We are an accredited Preschool Learning Alliance nursery, highly evaluated by Ofsted. Back to top of page Out-of-school Activities White Lodge runs a number of play and youth schemes specifically for disabled children and young people at venues in Runnymede, Spelthorne and Elmbridge. Most schemes run during the Easter and summer holidays with some Saturday provision. Back to top of page Little Stars Little Stars was started in response to requests from parents of young disabled children for a place where they could drop in for coffee and meet informally with others in similar situations. It has become an extremely popular group for parents, grandparents, childminders and their children (including siblings). It meets every Tuesday during term time from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Children have the opportunity to try out a range of specialist toys, join in with singing, story time and messy play, participating in baby massage sessions and use of the sensory room and hydrotherapy pool. Parents can take some time to meet with others, relax a little and enjoy the activities. All families are welcome to come along. Back to top of page Family Link Scheme The Family Link Scheme operates in the boroughs of Runnymede, Spelthorne and Woking and matches families who have a disabled child with a local family or person who volunteers to help share the care of their child. This gives the child leisure and play opportunities with new friends, whilst enabling the family to have a break from caring. The duration and frequency of the link depends on the individual child, the family and the volunteer: it might be a teatime visit once a week, outings with a befriender, or a monthly overnight stay. Volunteers, who can be single, couples or families, are carefully assessed, trained and supported in their role. They find the link enjoyable, rewarding and sometimes challenging. Back to top of page Leisure Breaks at Treetops Treetops is a brand new purpose-built activity centre for children up to 12 years of age. The facilities include six single bedrooms, soft play area, a large activity space and decking leading to a large landscaped sensory garden. The most recent inspection of the building rated it as exceeding the required standards. The building design takes into account the needs of children with complex physical disabilities as well as those with autistic spectrum disorders. Children may come for tea, spend a day at Treetops or stay for up to two weeks and a wide variety of on-site activities are offered as well as outings at weekends and during holidays. Recent trips include visits to the Bluebell Railway, the London Eye, Bocketts Farm and the seaside. Click
here to go to the Treetops home page Face
to Face The White Lodge Face to Face service is informal, flexible and free. To find out more please call Miriam Wichmann at White Lodge Centre on 01932 567131. Back
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