Allan Davies was impressed
with what he saw: "Transport is the biggest issue here. Some families do not have a car, or it is not always convenient to
use it. For these families getting to sessions is difficult, if not impossible. I would like to see an extension to the school
transport service funded by Essex County Council. Currently this only runs in term time during school hours. "
During school holidays
sessions can run all week, and these sessions are at various venues in the area.
Julian Ware-Lane echoed
Allan's sentiments, adding "those in greatest need are often those least able to take up the sessions because of transport
issues."
Although BOSP is Essex-wide
in its appeal it mainly deals with Brentwood, Billericay, Wickford, Basildon, Canvey, Shoeburyness and Leigh. BOSP currently
provides services to 111 families and is growing. It is a registered charity, founded in Brentwood in 1991. It was originally
called the Brentwood Opportunities for Special People. The name change was necessary because of growth and funding issues,
although they have kept the acronym.
Clients are aged from
0 to 25, and to qualify the families must be in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance. The children's physical and mental
disabilities range from the minor to the profound. They opened their crèche in September and this is for pre-school kids.
Monika Kemp said "we
are over the Moon that the Government has put in hundreds of millions more money into children with disabilities through Aiming
Higher."
"There are challenges
with local government red tape and continuity of funding" she added.
Sarah Pallier said that
"BOSP provides activities that children and young people wouldn't otherwise be able to access because of high levels of support
needed. Families regularly thank us for the service we give."
"We would love to be
able to reach more families whose young people have learning disabilities. Funding for transport would really help us do this."
Julian and Allan also
saw examples of their excellent activities, such as the Thriftwood Scout Camp trip in the last summer holidays.
Julian Ware-Lane believed
that organisations like BOSP give an incalculable benefit to their communities: "they are about creating stimulating activities
for the children with a beneficial side effect of a short break for parents and carers."
For information
BOSP Brighter Opportunities
through Supportive Play is a registered charity, number 1107392.
They are based at 2 Crown
Yard, High Street, Billericay, CM12 9BX, and can be contacted on 01277 624300 or via enquiries@bosp.co.uk
Their website is at www.bosp.co.uk
Julian Ware-Lane can
be contacted on 07989 564743
Charles Willis,
his agent, can be contacted on 07788 993377
Allan Davies can be contacted
on 07932 883014
