SEND Sensation is proud to share this story from one of our partners, InterAct.
About T and M
T takes part in InterAct’s holiday activities, as well as our Mid Essex community sessions during term time. He first started coming to InterAct in 2023, not long after his sister began attending. T has a real love for animals and often speaks fondly about the pets he has at home. He makes friends easily at club and will form a fun little boys’ group when he can, although he gets on happily with everyone. He can sometimes become very excited and needs a bit of support to calm down and recentre. InterAct staff work closely with T to help him express what he’s feeling, rather than becoming frustrated with himself or the environment.
He’s shown great progress in this area and will now come to staff and let them know when he needs a bit of space.
M is 14 and attends InterAct’s Mid Essex community sessions, as well as our holiday activities. She has ADHD and ASD. M is very shy when she first meets someone and often won’t speak at first, but once she gets to know you, she’s bright, bubbly and full of chatter! She’s always happy to tell you about the things she enjoys. M is adventurous and loves taking part in InterAct’s more action-packed activities, like Go Ape or Stubbers.
M is very brave, even if she tries to play that down sometimes! M gets on well with lots of young people at InterAct and has even built friendships outside of the clubs. Like many teenagers, this can sometimes lead to a bit of group drama, but M is very understanding and will always come to staff if something’s bothering her. She has a lovely way of bringing out the fun in every activity and often encourages other young people to give things a try — and will always be there to help them along the way.
Together
T and M usually take part in activities separately, as they can sometimes find it tricky to be around each other for too long.
But it’s clear their bond is much stronger and closer than they let on. They have a real love for each other — and while they enjoy teasing one another, they’re also very protective and caring underneath it all.
Words from Mum
Since we have had the pleasure of knowing InterAct and booking up trips with them for either M or T, it has enabled us as a family to spend time with our younger two babies independent of the older two, which would absolutely not be possible without the work of InterAct, and its also enabled us to give M and T experiences to places that we would not have been able to have made possible with two small children too and no family support.
About InterAct
InterAct support children and young people aged 8-18 in Essex with learning disabilities / additional needs to have successful journeys towards more independent adult lives.