A charity running adventure play sessions for disabled children has launched its latest project in Fife.
The Yard offers a range of fun activities for young people with special needs, from messy painting and dressing up to outdoor adventures such as den building.
Already operating in Edinburgh and Dundee, it has now arrived at the Argos Youth Centre in Kirkcaldy, where sessions will be held on Sundays from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Victoria Armour from The Yard said it would help plug the gap in services for children with disabilities around the Templehall area of Kirkcaldy.
“We assessed where there was demand but not as many services to support families,” she said.
Ms Armour said families of children with special needs can find using facilities such as soft play centres challenging.
“There can be a number of issues. Perhaps they feel judged, or that other people and other children can’t understand their children’s behaviour.
“We’re not just talking about physical disabilities, we’re also talking about children on the autistic spectrum.
“We want to create a haven where children can relax and be themselves, and build friendships.”
With play such an important factor in a child’s development, youngsters with disabilities risk missing out on learning opportunities, said Ms Armour.
“More and more, people are recognising how important play is for people’s development, so we’re offering opportunities for disabled children to enjoy adventurous play, which is something they might not be able to do somewhere else.”
Among the parents benefiting from The Yard arriving in Fife is Angela Greenlaw.
She said her son, who has developmental delay, had encountered difficulties at a mainstream play centre.
Ms Greenlaw first found out about The Yard when she took her children to its Edinburgh centre.
“I just need to get one bus now,” she said.
“It will especially help during the October holidays.”
The Yard was started up in 1986. Following the most recent Care Inspectorate visit to its Edinburgh premises, the service received three “very good” and one “excellent” grade.
