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Bedford Borough Council, Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum and BLMK CCG launch a Summer of Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND) with a brand new video from partners, children and young people explaining how you can get involved this summer.

After the success of the Bedford Borough Summer of SEND in 2021, it’s back and aims to be bigger and better.

In 2021 children, young people, parents, carers and practitioners attended over 550 events in Bedford Borough. If the calendar of events for 2021 was print edit would be over 4 metres high.

The current calendar already has over 300 events and can be viewed at localoffer.bedford.gov.uk/summer of send and will be updated throughout the Summer of SEND, so watch this space for further announcements.

New for The Summer of SEND in 2022 will be the ”Inclusion Island” at this year’s River Festival; a dedicated section for children, young people and adults with SEND as well as their families. This will include a sensory tent, a workshop tent to allow groups and organisations to put on talks, activities and taster sessions of the support available and most importantly, an opportunity for the children to have fun. 

Another new addition to the Summer of SEND in 2022 is the Fear-Less Triple P training for parents and carers of children aged 6 to 14 years old, who have moderate to high levels of anxiety that negatively impact on everyday functioning. Along with a whole host of returning events, popular webinars, fun holiday activities for children and young people, and a range of training sessions for both practitioners and parents / carers. 

Cllr James Valentine, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education, said, “Its back! I am delighted to be able to launch The Summer of SEND 2022. Last year was a fantastic and we want to build on that great success with to make Summer of SEND better than ever.

“We look forward to hearing from children, young people and their parents, carers and health professionals throughout the Summer of SEND during a fantastic, engaging summer of events and activities for all.

“Get involved and join us this summer.”

For updates on events and see how you can get involved visit the Bedford Borough Local Offer Website at https://localoffer.bedford.gov.uk/and follow the Local Offer on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BBLocalOffer/