Scout group gives teens with extra needs 'place to belong'

A father who struggled to find activities for his son with additional needs has set up a scout group which has filled up within months of launching.

Fosse Way Explorers in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, was created to give teenagers the chance to enjoy activities such as camping, climbing and sailing in a supportive environment.

Graham, who set up the group, said: "They've got their own place to belong and they can still learn all the skills for life that all the other scouts learn."

Parents said there were few clubs locally to meet their children's needs, with one mother, Sharon describing the group as the only activity her son consistently wanted to attend.

Sharon decided to volunteer with the group after her son Roo, who has Down's syndrome, autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance, joined.

"There's not a lot of activities that can facilitate Roo's needs, but this one does," she said.

"Often he says no to everything but he's saying yes to this," she added.

The group, based at Fosse Way School in Midsomer Norton, has been designed to be more flexible for young people who may struggle in other settings.

Sessions include clearer instructions, quieter spaces and opportunities for members to take time out if they feel overwhelmed.

The group was set up by Graham after he wanted to find a unit that would work for his 14-year-old son and his friends.

Since its launch members have taken part in activities including camping, sailing, climbing, archery, shooting, cooking and orienteering.

"It makes me really pleased to think there's something that just started out as an idea really and has come to fruition," said Graham.

"Everybody would be surprised how little you need to do to make it accessible.

"It's sometimes the little changes that you make that can make a big difference," he added.

Graham said the group learned the same skills as other scout groups, based around learning independence and team-building.

Scout member and Fosseway School pupil, Cai said the group was "like a community".

"We share different interests, we share games," he said.

"Last week we went camping and it was really fun," he added.

Organisers said the group offers opportunities that can often be difficult to find elsewhere.

Fosseway School headteacher Fiona Skinner said: "There aren't clubs in the local area that really meet the needs of young people with additional needs."

Fiona said she hopes the success of the group will encourage others to create similar opportunities.

"We would be really keen to work with other schools actually who would be interested in setting up something similar," she said.

She believes the lessons learned by the scout group could be applied more widely and more clubs should look at how they can adapt activities to make them more accessible.

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