We had two speakers at our Rotary Club today, John Woodrow and Janet Perry from PARC (Essex), based in Braintree. PARC stands for Play and Resource Centre.
PARC was founded twenty years ago and aims to provide play and activity opportunities for young people with physical or mental disabilities and their families. They help young people from newly-born to 25 years of age.
Their Centre has a number of facilities, including a sensory room based on an underwater theme and with a range of interactive equipment. It is suitable for use by children with visual or hearing impairment.
There is also an interactive room which is great for any child interested in computers or technology, allowing them to play with images projected on the floor whatever their degree of mobility. The kitchen is a place where children can cook with adults or simply sit to eat their lunch or sandwiches.
Outside there is a garden play area and a log cabin which can be used for a variety of activities.
Having been going for twenty years, PARC has seen many children become young adults. They now have a youth club catering for 12-25 year-olds.
It’s a pity they came to speak to us on the day before Good Friday as many members were away including John Scammell, who is a retired special needs teacher.