About St Mary\'s Opportunity Group
Activity Pre-school provision for young children with additional needs
» Choose this Charity as your Preferred Charity
If you select this charity as your preferred charity, it will be automatically selected when you compose new cards.
» Donate to this Charity
You can donate points you have purchased on Benevolus directly to this charity.
St Mary\'s Opportunity Group
Orwell High School Grounds
Maidstone Road
Felixstowe
IP11 9EF
Tel: 01394 286399
Registered Charity No. 1004101
St Mary\'s Opportunity Group 1987-present date (May 2004)
Seventeen years ago, a group of parents/carers of pre-school children with special needs formed the St Mary\'s Opportunity Group in Felixstowe. The group soon increased in popularity and it was recognised that there was a huge need for a group that accommodated young children with special needs and their families in the area and so extensive searches for new premises started.
Eventually, the group successfully applied for two portacabins from Stansted airport, they then negotiated the free use of two lorries and drivers from the Port of Felixstowe and the portakabins were soon transported and erected on the Orwell High School grounds. A lot of hard work followed making the building fit for use.
At last, after a mammoth effort of fundraising and raising public awareness, the building was refitted and opened ready for use. Within the main play room the children enjoy a soft play area, a book corner, a home corner and dressing up area. In our quiet area, we have a specialist computer with touch sensitive screen and software suitable for a variety of needs. There is sand play on offer as well as a craft table and painting easels for those who feel in a creative mood! In addition to the main play area, the children can enjoy a wonderful multi-sensory room. This area can cater for several children at once or can be a haven for a single child who needs to vent frustration or to calm down. The walls are soft as is the floor and underwater scenes a re projected onto the walls. A bubble tube cascades bubbles and changes colour in time with the soothing music that is playing. Alternatively, there is a variety of touch-sensory equipment that can be incorporated with more upbeat music to stimulate the senses. The range of uses of the multi-sensory room is limitless and a valuable resource for the group.
The group has a large outdoor area which is well used in the summer. Water play and sand play are particular favourites among the children and there is a patio area as well as a grassed area which are used with outdoor toys - trikes, bikes and sit on rides.
The majority of the core costs of the group are raised through community fundraising and also through grant giving bodies such as Children in Need, the Local Network Fund and the Community Fund.
The specialist staff employed by the group are very experienced and dedicated and will often support families in matters ranging from applying for disability benefits to the transition from the group to the nursery or school setting.
Since the group formed seventeen years age, the main philosophy has remained the same: to provide safe, stimulating opportunities for play for young children with special needs and to provide support to their families.