TWO taster sessions to provide activities and local social contacts for children with special needs (SEND) will be held in Burnham-on-Crouch for Maldon district families for the very first time on Bank Holiday Monday (31 May).

The two multisport taster sessions for Dengie Peninsula families will be held at Riverside Park in Millfield, Burnham-on-Crouch, from 10.30am to 11.30am and from 11.50am to 12.50pm. There will be a range of multisport activities and siblings are welcome to stay and enjoy them as well. Parents are required to stay, but staff will be available to support the children during the activities.

Burnham mum Tara Strydom, whose son will have to leave his local primary school friends behind to travel out of district for school because of his need for SEND provision, is hoping the sessions will be well attended as she is campaigning to have Dengie groups in place where youngsters with special needs can meet and make local friends.

Maldon district is currently one of only three districts in Essex where there is no school provision available for children with SEND needs that mean they cannot undertake usual GCSE study at secondary school level.

Tara says: "This means it is very hard for these children to make friends and feel established in their own communities. I am really hoping that these first taster sessions are well attended so I can show there is a demand for these groups and so help provide the children with a better future."

There are only 30 places available in each session as Covid safety measures will be in place. To book your place email Kevin at : [email protected] with details of the number of children, their ages, plus adults attending. Kevin will email you back to confirm your space.