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Swings & Smiles

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  • Saturday Respite

Saturday Respite

Our Saturday respite sessions are lots of fun. Children are with us for the full day which means we can explore lots of different activities, giving your child plenty of new experiences with their friends. 

Children will always find lots of choice for how to spend their time at Swings & Smiles with activities including crafts, cooking and sensory play. Saturdays provide a great opportunity to really explore the centre as there's lots of time to try a range of different things. If the weather allows we will also spend time in the garden or go out for walks.

One of our favourite things to do is to bake biscuits from scratch and get creative decorating them. This is a fun way for the children to work on listening to instructions, and to practice a bit of patience waiting to decorate and eat their biscuits! We love exploring through sensory activities, and have even introduced TacPac into the sessions, which involves communication through touch and music. We always enjoy getting stuck into our library of Bag Books sensory stories and having lots of giggles.

We spend lots of time in the garden when we can and really love racing around the racetrack on the Tomcat trikes! Friendships have been blooming and we've seen lots of lovely collaborative play in the garden during these races and using the musical sensory spinner.

Find out more about respite at Swings & Smiles

Published: 6th June, 2021

Updated: 30th June, 2022

Author: Swings & Smiles

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  • Our sessions

    Our sessions

    Swings & Smiles is open seven days a week, providing a place to play and support for children with special needs and their families. Find out what's on offer and how you can book to come along.

  • Book a session

    Book a session

    Once you've completed our assessment form you'll be told which sessions you can attend at Swings & Smiles. You can book online via the website or email - we hope to see you soon!

  • What we do

    What we do

    Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and where they can spend quality time together. Our services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach.

  • Our facilities

    Our facilities

    Swings & Smiles offers play sessions for children with special needs and their whole family at our centre in Thatcham.

  • Sibling support

    Sibling support

    We understand just how different life is when you have a brother or sister who has a disability or special needs. We run three sessions a month for siblings which are free to attend, as well as offering a 5 week course in schools.

  • Contact us

    Contact us

    How to get in touch with or find Swings & Smiles in Thatcham, West Berkshire with details of opening times.

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    Find out about our latest job opportunities at Swings & Smiles.

  • Welcome Sangeeta

    Welcome Sangeeta

    Swings & Smiles welcome ITV Meridian News Presenter Sangeeta Bhabra as a patron. Sangeeta is an adult sibling carer and has written an article for carers week, illustrating some of the challenges she faces but also the many positives she experiences from having a disabled brother.

  • About outreach

    About outreach

    Swings & Smiles is able to provide outreach in the community free of charge. We're able to visit schools, groups and individuals with lots of lovely sensory equipment and activities.

  • Our story

    Our story

    Swings & Smiles is charity for children with special needs and their families, and was set up in 2007 by Sian Cook whose daughter Amy was her inspiration. We provide a play to play and support for the whole family.

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A Place to Play
Lower Way
Thatcham
RG19 3RR

+44 (0)1635 285170
[email protected]

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Swings & Smiles is registered in England as charity number 1120598