Latest Wonder WAC developments!
We are very pleased to announce the launch of a NEW range of services and activities for 11-17 year olds with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities from September 2012.

As a result of the recent Camden Funding agreement , we have now begun several new and extended projects especially tailored to the needs of this group of young people.

Activities and projects on offer now include:

• * additional after school sessions in arts and media on Wednesday afternoons
• * a brand new Saturday Club which offers sport and outdoor education, and environmental and fun social activities to get our young people 'out and about'!
• * an extension of our existing holiday provision so we now offer full five-day week programmes in all the school holidays (with the exception of Christmas)
• * special new buddying, transitions and advocacy services.  These encourage friendship and social interaction, help young people manage times of change, including moving from school to college, and also represent young people who may be non-verbal or looked after to help to ensure that their needs and views are heard.

These exciting developments offer young people with even severe special educational needs and disabilities the opportunity to have fun and socialise, learn new skills and to have more say in the decisions that affect them.  Young people can join the projects by referral and for more details or information, please contact our Disability Officer, Maggie Mendy, on 020 7692 5812 or email her at maggie@wac.co.uk .

 

Wonder WAC
This programme offers performing arts and media courses for young people with learning disabilities. The sessions provide the opportunity for members to develop their skills in various arts and media forms. They work creatively, build confidence and raise self-esteem.

The groups work throughout the year on various artwork projects. They also record live music tracks in the recording studio and there is a range of their own compositions available for them to listen to.

In this way, young people at Wonder WAC have the opportunity to explore social education issues and develop independent living skills. Although development of skills and process are given top priority, young people are also encouraged to perform live and to record their work and their achievements.

We organise regular off-site visits to locations such as the South Bank, the London Aquarium, Hampstead Heath, the Fusion inclusive club night and the Beautiful Octopus Club which is run by people with learning difficulties.

Sensory Room
We have a state of the art Sensory Room, in-house. This gives our members access to a range of specialist sensory equipment and software that they can use to enhance their ability to communicate and develop creative ideas.

Equipped with Soundbeam, Vibrabed and Cyberlink, we use our new sensory room to offer students the chance for one to one support and some individual attention. They also have the opportunity to work with multimedia equipment that is especially designed to be used by people with disabilities. This enables them to experience music in a range of different, less conventional ways and to have some control over the music they make.

Through one to one and small group sessions the young people are assisted in developing communication skills and enhancing creativity. They use percussion and acoustic instruments in conjunction with the latest sensory technology like Soundbeam, Vibrabed and Cyberlink. We also provide training for Sensory Licenses for young people so that they can support Wonder WAC students and assist tutors in the delivery of sessions and classes.

Oasis Residentials
Oasis Residentials are week long camping holidays and trips away for students who have learning difficulties from our WonderWAC project. They run throughout the summer holidays, and, in addition, we also run two weekend residential trips away.

These projects offer students with learning difficulties, a unique opportunity to combine outdoor pursuits with the performing arts. They can also develop their group work and independent living skills. These trips away also have the extra benefit of providing a much needed respite for parents, carers and their families.

All our Oasis members are encouraged to participate in one or more of the various citizenship schemes available to enable them to achieve accredited awards. These have included the Changemakers scheme, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, Youth Bank and the Millennium Volunteers scheme.  

Who this programme is designed for
Wonder WAC is designed especially for young people who have learning difficulties. You may enjoy music or any of the performing arts, you may want to practice your painting, or you may simply want to socialise and have fun.

Your tutors
All our Wonder WAC tutors are experienced WAC tutors, and several have many years of practical experience. They are experts in their field and also especially trained to work young people who have learning difficulties.