Holiday Camps for Children with Additional Needs: How The Strings Club Supports Every Child

Finding the right Holiday Camp for a child with additional needs can feel overwhelming. As parents, you want to know your child will be understood, supported and given every opportunity to enjoy themselves.

At The Strings Club, we believe Holiday Camps for children with additional needs should be welcoming, inclusive and filled with opportunities for every child to feel Safe, Happy and Thrive.

One recent message from a parent reminded us exactly why this commitment matters:

"We are delighted with how well he managed at your club yesterday. Thank you for being willing to listen about what makes a difference and acting on it. Not all summer clubs are able to make activities inclusive of neurodivergent children and give them an opportunity to shine. He is very much looking forward to joining you again tomorrow."

Receiving feedback like this means the world to our team and reinforces why creating inclusive Holiday Camps for children with additional needs remains one of our highest priorities.

A Thoughtfully Planned Approach

Over recent years, we've welcomed an increasing number of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and other additional needs to our Holiday Camps. Every child is unique, so we work closely with families to understand their individual strengths, interests and support needs before camp begins.

Our Founder, Amy Cunningham, explains:

"Being prepared and welcoming to children with additional needs is something we're incredibly passionate about. Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy music, build confidence and make wonderful memories in an environment where they feel understood, supported and celebrated."

SEN Training for Every Team Member

Every member of The Strings Club team completes SEN awareness training before working at our Holiday Camps.

Many of our team members work in education throughout the year as teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and learning support professionals, bringing valuable experience to every Holiday Camp.

At Head Office, our SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), Courtney, has completed specialist SEN training and plays an important role in supporting our inclusive approach. Reflecting on her training, she shared:

"Effective SEN support begins with understanding, patience and the belief that every child has the potential to achieve. This training has helped me develop a deeper understanding of individual needs, learn effective strategies and recognise the importance of creating an inclusive environment where every child can thrive."

Her words beautifully capture what we strive to achieve across every one of our Holiday Camps.

Our Calm & Focus Toolkit

Supporting children isn't just about training—it's about creating an environment where they feel comfortable, confident and able to enjoy every part of the day.

That's why every Holiday Camp includes our Calm & Focus Toolkit, featuring:

• Ear defenders for noisy environments
• Fidget cubes and sensory sticks
• Stress balls for emotional regulation
• Sensory mats
• Motion timers to support transitions
• Visual timetables
• "Now and Next" visual boards

These resources help children with focus, sensory regulation, routines and transitions, allowing them to fully participate in camp life. They're available throughout the day whenever a child needs a moment to reset, helping us achieve our mission of ensuring every child feels Safe, Happy and Thriving.

Working Together with Parents

We know that parents know their child best.

That's why we encourage families to share as much information as possible during the booking process about their child's individual needs and the strategies that help them thrive.

Our Head Office team carefully reviews every booking before camp begins. If we'd like to understand more about a child's needs, we'll contact parents personally to discuss how we can best support them throughout their time at camp. It's a personal approach that many parents tell us gives them confidence before their child even arrives.

Before each Holiday Camp begins, we also send a welcome email reminding families to share any additional information that may help our team members provide the very best experience.

Throughout the week, parents receive our popular Daily Newsletters, keeping them up to date with everything their child has enjoyed while providing another easy way to stay connected with our team.

What Parents Say

We're incredibly proud of the feedback we receive from families.

Kirsten Jack, founder of Uncommon, a community supporting neurodivergent young people, attended one of our Holiday Camps with her child and shared:

"The Holiday Camps are thoughtfully designed where neurodivergent children can feel safe and have fun. From their detailed timetable and creative ethos to caring team members and low staff ratios, they've created a space where neurodivergent children can thrive."

She particularly highlighted:

• Our exceptional 1:8 team member-to-child ratio
• Team members who understand sensory needs
• Clear routines supported by visual timetables
• A creative environment where children can express themselves through music, art and imagination

Feedback like this inspires us every day and reflects our ongoing commitment to creating Holiday Camps for children with additional needs where every child feels confident, supported and valued.

Is The Strings Club Right for My Child?

While The Strings Club is not a specialist Holiday Camp for children with additional needs, we warmly welcome many children with a wide range of additional needs every year.

If your child currently receives 1:1 support at school or attends a specialist setting, they will need to attend camp with their own support worker, as our team members are unable to provide one-to-one care.

If you're unsure whether our Holiday Camps are the right fit, we'd love to chat. Every child is unique, and we're always happy to discuss your child's individual needs before booking.

Our goal is simple: to create an environment where every child feels safe, supported and able to experience the joy of music, creativity and friendship.

We look forward to welcoming your family to The Strings Club soon.