Inclusive activities, specialist support and unforgettable experiences for children and young people with disabilities
| Registered charity | Charity Number 1147903 |
| Based at | Ridgewood Community High School, Eastern Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2AT |
Welcome
Friends of Ridgewood creates safe, inclusive and exciting opportunities for children and young people with disabilities, helping every child take part, build confidence, develop new skills and feel fully included in the wider community.
About Friends of Ridgewood
Friends of Ridgewood is a registered charity working alongside Ridgewood Community High School to provide high-quality, inclusive opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. Our aim is simple: to offer activities that are enjoyable, meaningful and accessible, with inclusion, learning, communication, wellbeing and personal development at the heart of everything we do.
We welcome children with a broad range of needs, including physical disabilities, wheelchair or walker use, learning needs, speech and communication difficulties, sensory needs, profound and multiple learning disabilities, and complex medical conditions. Every child deserves the chance to join in, be recognised for who they are, and enjoy experiences that support confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.
Specialist staff who know our pupils well
Our sessions are supported by experienced, highly qualified and enthusiastic staff who work with children and young people with disabilities every day. Many of our team are teachers and specialist school staff from Ridgewood Community High School, bringing a deep understanding of individual needs, communication approaches, sensory regulation, personal care, moving and handling routines, and safe support for pupils with complex medical conditions.
Because our staff know the pupils, the school environment and the support systems already in place, activities can be planned with each child in mind. We focus on what pupils can do, adapt activities so everyone can participate, and create a calm, positive atmosphere where children feel secure enough to try new things.
Outstanding facilities at Ridgewood
As the club is based at Ridgewood Community High School, children can benefit from an exceptional specialist setting with modern, fully accessible facilities. These include three state-of-the-art immersive sensory rooms, a sports hall, drama studio, music spaces, creative areas and other specialist resources designed to support pupils with a wide range of sensory, physical, communication and learning needs.
The immersive sensory rooms offer carefully controlled environments where pupils can explore light, sound, movement and texture in ways that are calming, engaging or stimulating, depending on individual needs. The sports hall and outdoor spaces support adapted games, team-building, movement and physical confidence, while the drama studio, music equipment and creative resources open up opportunities for self-expression, communication and shared enjoyment.
Activities children can enjoy
- Inclusive sport and movement: football, cricket, basketball, archery, coordination games, team-building challenges and adapted physical activities.
- Creative projects: seasonal art, craft and themed making activities, from Halloween pumpkins and firework pictures to Christmas decorations and collaborative displays.
- Music and performance: opportunities to explore instruments, singing, karaoke, rhythm, sound and drama in a supportive environment.
- Sensory and PMLD provision: tailored sessions using specialist rooms, equipment and staff expertise to create meaningful experiences for pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
- Social confidence and community: activities that help children interact, communicate, make choices, build friendships and feel part of something positive beyond the school day.
Why families choose Friends of Ridgewood
Families choose Friends of Ridgewood because the club combines specialist knowledge, trusted relationships and high-quality facilities. We do not believe inclusion means simply being present; it means removing barriers, planning thoughtfully and making sure every child can take part in a way that is right for them.
Whether a child wants to be active, creative, musical, social, relaxed or adventurous, we aim to provide opportunities that feel safe, purposeful and enjoyable. Our programme continues to grow as we listen to pupils, families and staff, and we are always looking for new ways to increase participation within school and, where possible, the wider community.
Lancashire Breaktime Hours
We are proud to offer opportunities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to access our After School Club and Holiday Club through the Lancashire Breaktime Hours scheme. Breaktime Hours help eligible families access fun, inclusive and enriching activities in a safe, supportive environment where children can take part in ways that work for them.
What are Breaktime Hours?
Eligible children and young people aged 5 to 18 receive 78 hours per year, which can be used across our After School Club and Holiday Club provision. Membership runs annually from 1 April to 31 March, giving families a clear annual allocation of support for short breaks and inclusive activities.
Our sessions provide opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and independence, develop social and communication skills, make new friends, engage with peers, take part in enjoyable activities and access inclusive support that is tailored to individual needs.
Breaktime Hours are available for children and young people aged 5 to 18 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Children who are currently receiving a social care package are not eligible for Breaktime Hours; however, their social worker may be able to apply for Breaktime Plus to support access to activities and short breaks.
How to apply
Applications can be made online through the Break time short break activity registration process. If families require assistance with the application, a member of our team will be happy to help and guide them through the registration.
If you would like to find out more about using Breaktime Hours at our After School Club or Holiday Club, please get in touch. Our team is always available to discuss eligibility, availability and the support we can offer to ensure each child gets the most from their experience.
We are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child and young person can learn, grow and thrive.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme gives children and young people who are eligible for Free School Meals the chance to stay active, engaged and well supported during the school holidays. The programme runs during the Easter and summer holiday periods, with 4 sessions available at Easter and 16 sessions offered throughout the summer holidays.
Eligible families receive a voucher by email from Holiday Activities, together with a link to the online booking platform where sessions can be reserved. This makes the process straightforward for families and helps ensure children can access positive, structured opportunities during the times when they may benefit from them most.
The HAF programme is designed to promote healthy eating, physical activity and positive wellbeing. Children attending our sessions enjoy a variety of nutritious meal options while taking part in fun, enriching activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, confidence and the development of new skills. Through healthy food provision and engaging experiences, the programme helps children make positive memories, build friendships and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle throughout the holidays.
Parent feedback
“The holiday club is really beneficial for SEND children and their families as it offers the children a place to go during the holidays and helps them keep some routine. There are limited groups for SEND children during school holidays, so this club is very much needed. The staff are brilliant; they understand and meet the children’s needs really well. I feel comfortable with my child going as they are well trained and nothing fazes them.”
— Parent feedback
“Thank you to everyone at Friends of Ridgewood for making Amelia feel so welcome and calm. She has had such a good day, has taken a liking to it and made friends. We have always struggled with holiday clubs, and this has been such a positive change for her.”
— Parent feedback
Contact us
To find out more about Friends of Ridgewood, ask about sessions, or discuss how your child could be supported, please get in touch.
| Contact method | Details |
| Address | Friends of Ridgewood, Ridgewood Community High School, Eastern Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2AT |
| Telephone | 01282 953653/07841590318 |
| friends@ridgewood.lancs.sch.uk | |
| Website | www.ridgewood.lancs.sch.uk |
