you help me?”; “I

have allergies. How

do you make my

meals?”; “Are you

good at playing

games?”; “I like going

out, what activities will you let me choose?” ;

“If it’s raining where would you take us?”;

“What made you want to work here?”

Their opinions really influenced making the

appointment and they were presented with

certificates for ‘Job Well Done Award’. The

candidates welcomed the young people’s

enthusiasm and professional attitude.

Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre children

and young people had their say in appointing

a Deputy Manager for the Centre on 14

March 2019.

Four young people were part of the deputy

interview panel. They were supported to

fully participate in the interviews. This

experience was an opportunity to enable

them to develop their skills, confidence and

independence. Three of these young people

attend Woodfield School and one the

College of Northwest London.

They were delighted to be panel members

and have their views taken into account.

They asked questions that mattered most

to them: “I like to be independent, how can

What an experience Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre, Grove Park London NW9 0JY 020 8937 6701

Ade Adepitan

Short Break Centre

March 2019 Issue 7

A group of young people has been eagerly

awaiting to see the Youth Stories of Brent

documentary since a production team

visited the Short Break Centre to interview

them. They were delighted to be invited to

the Granville Centre in South Kilburn to

celebrate its launch. Everyone enjoyed the

experience and the opportunity to have a

photo with Brent Mayor Cllr Arshad

Mahmood and meeting the members of

Brent Youth Parliament.

At the launch of the Youth Stories of Brent

Big thank you to the young people’s parents

and educational professionals who

supported and encouraged them.

Page 2 Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre Newsletter

Five groups of National Citizens Service

volunteers have been joining us in several

days of activities full of fun, laughter and

sometimes hard work.

The volunteers were bursting with

enthusiasm. Even during their introduction

visits they wanted to spend time with the

young people. They were very attentive and

helped everyone to participate and enjoy

the activities.

Jake Wood (NCS): “My experience here

was something I didn’t expect. I feel I’ve

made a difference to the young people at

this Centre. Thank you for allowing me to

come and try my best. Means a lot to me.”

The Centre young people commented: “Cake

was nice. I liked playing “detective” and

“hide and seek”. “Thank you very much to

NCS. I want you to come again”.

In August we were happy and sad to say

goodbye to a group of the Centre leavers

who were moving into the adults services.

NCS volunteers created a fun atmosphere

with games and music. The Short Break

Centre young adults in transition received

certificates and photo books to remember

their time here.

Community engagement - NCS

NCS has been curating the Centre garden

since 2014. In October last year they were

here to plant fresh flowers to brighten

dark winter days ahead.

Another NCS group also came in November

bringing an early Christmas spirit with

their “Looking Towards Christmas” party.

Page 3 Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre Newsletter

Young people were given the opportunity to

play a variety of instruments and to enjoy

different music inspired arts and crafts

activities. They immersed themselves fully

in the day events exploring diverse

instruments - a violin, a guitar, a piano,

drums and a xylophone. EM’s favourite

instrument was drums and AJ loved a violin

and a trumpet. AJ was very proud about a

paper trumpet that he had made there with

the assistance of their staff and the

London Symphony Orchestra musicians.

Make Music with LSO A parent informed at one of the coffee

mornings that during half term holidays

London Symphony Orchestra organises

special events for young people with

disabilities. This was a great opportunity

to meet the musicians of one of the leading

orchestras in the world.

On the 18th of February 2019, a group of

young people and their support staff took

the Northen Line underground train to

It was a lovely morning and young people

enjoyed their journey to London and the

walk across the Embankment Bridge. VW

and KK have been all smiles and laughs

trying to get attention of passers-by.

They had lunch sitting on a bench and

looking across the river onto the London

Eye and interacting with the public.

Sea Life London Aquarium staff treated

them as VIPs. VW said, ‘thank you’ when

they gave him a map of the attraction. The

group loved looking at different exotic

fishes but they especially enjoyed watching

the penguins poking their beaks on the

glass. VW thought that one fish looked

exactly like Dory from Finding Nemo. They

also listened to a story about Captain Hook

and his pirates and the fishes they caught

on their nets.

As all tourists do, the young people went

shopping for souvenirs and enjoyed

choosing gifts for their parents.

arrive to the heart of the City of London to a historic Anglican church building in the St

Lukes’ LSO Centre to participate in the London Symphony Orchestra Make Music Day.

Page 4 Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre Newsletter

Yoga instructor Jay Ehrlich specialises in

working with special needs children. In

March she joined the parents meeting to

show basic yoga techniques and simple

breathing exercises for relaxation and

self-calming. Parents told her about their

children and the instructor showed helpful

methods that they can use for themselves

or incorporate in their home activities.

The majority of staff members have completed studying towards the Diploma Level 3

Residential Child Care to meet Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. Four staff have

already received their certificates and others are eagerly waiting for theirs. All new

AASBC staff have also been enrolled for the course. The Deputy Manager has gained the

Leadership and Management Course Level 5.

Thank all staff for their commitment and congratulations to all on their achievements.

Parents enjoying yoga

The Centre has invested in new equipment to enhance

children’s engagement, interaction and wellbeing.

The additional Acheeva bed is for young adults with

complex health and physical needs. The bed with its

adjustable height, back and bed angles will make it

easier for them to have access to learning and play

whilst meeting their health needs.

New equipment - new experiences

The VisiLift interactive multi-touch screen with

height adjustability will enable children of all ages

and abilities to engage in various play and educational

activities. It will also help them to communicate

their wishes and choices. The multitude of individual

and group activities will advance young people’s

interaction and social skills.

To engage more young people in gardening, the sensory

garden has been transformed using the skills of a

professional garden designer, thanks to the fundraising

efforts of the NCS volunteers. Bespoke raised garden

beds lift the plants off the ground making it easier to

access and enjoy them. Any volunteers interested in

gardening please call to help us to maintain the garden

and to make it a community project.

Sensory garden – volunteers welcome

Ade Adepitan Short Break Centre, Grove Park London NW9 0JY 020 8937 6701

Registered Manager: Nedra Saparamadu

Workforce development