Dear Striving For Inclusion Families,
What a season it has been. From launching a new funded programme to celebrating Senegalese Independence Day, from stocking our sessions with new resources to opening a dedicated space for parents, every step has brought us closer to the community we are building together.
This newsletter brings you the highlights of our recent journey, important upcoming events, and a reminder of why everything we do is rooted in one shared purpose: our children and families.
Introducing The Bridge
We are excited to announce the creation of The Bridge, our new programme funded by the Community Fund, and one we are proud to bring to our community.
The Bridge aims to strengthen the connection between home and school for our young people. We know that when those two worlds work together, children thrive, and that is exactly what this programme sets out to achieve.
"When home and school walk together, children do not just cope, they flourish."
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and none of it would be possible without the support of our wonderful community. We look forward to sharing more with you as the programme grows.
Investing in Our Young People
We are happy to share that we have been investing in new resources for our sessions. Our sessions are now stocked with a wide selection of games and creative materials, including:
- Uno adventure: fast, fun, and great for social confidence
- Chess and Wure time: strategy, patience, and focused thinking
- Connect Four: turn-taking and problem solving
- Painting supplies: creativity, expression, and calm
These are activities our children genuinely love, and having the right tools makes a real difference to the quality and warmth of our sessions. Our collection will only grow as more young people are involved, and as many more games are learned and played.
Heritage, Play, and Parenting
This February, our young people were more into Wure specificity, a traditional African game, and it was a great success. Activities like this sit right at the heart of our mission: to celebrate heritage while bringing children together through play.
Parenting for Inclusion
We also launched our Parenting for Inclusion group, a dedicated space for the parents and carers of our young people. One theme that emerged strongly was the desire for more quality time with children, including something as meaningful as simply sharing a meal together. It is something we are working towards to conserve the traditional family meal around a bowl.
Presenting The Bridge to the She Can Shine Programme
March was a great month for us. We had the opportunity to present the Bridge programme to a range of community personalities and parents, sharing our vision and the work we have been building since January.
The conversations we had reinforced just how much our community cares about the well-being and development of our young people, and how much programmes like The Bridge are truly needed.
"When a community speaks, and a room listens, that is where change begins."
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to listen, ask questions, and engage with us. Your support means everything.
Celebrating Senegalese Independence Day
Our very first celebration of Senegalese Independence Day took place this April, and it was a day we will not forget.
Traditional food, clothing, and music filled the room with colour, joy, and a deep sense of pride. For our young people, moments like this carry real meaning. Seeing their heritage honoured and celebrated is powerful, and it speaks directly to what Striving for Inclusion is all about.
"Our children carry the richness of Africa, the strength of their families, and the promise of their future. When stories reflect them, they stand tall."
We are so grateful to everyone who came together to make this first celebration so memorable. It will certainly not be our last.
We Welcomed New Families
This season, we welcomed four new families with SEND children into our community, and we are honoured by their trust. We know that for many African and EAL families, seeking support for a child with SEND is not a simple step. Fear of judgment, the weight of cultural expectation, and the pressure to appear strong can silence a parent long before they reach out for help.
And when they do find the courage to seek support, they are often met with a system that feels foreign, complex, and slow. The NHS pathway for SEND support—referrals, assessments, waiting lists, and letters written in a new language—can be deeply confusing for families who are still finding their footing in British life.
At Striving For Inclusion, we walk alongside families through it all. We help them understand the system, speak confidently in appointments, and ensure their child receives the support they are entitled to, without delay, confusion, or anyone feeling alone.
Safeguarding Training: 18th April
We would like to invite all of our volunteers to our upcoming Safeguarding Training session.
Keeping our young people safe and supported is a responsibility we take seriously. This training is an important part of upholding that commitment. Whether you have been with us from the beginning or have recently joined the team, we encourage you to attend.
Family Day Out: 18th April
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to our Family Day Out, taking place on Friday, 18th April, in the park after the Safeguarding training.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people, their families, and the wider Striving For Inclusion community to come together and enjoy a relaxed day of food and fun in the open air. After a busy and rewarding few months, it feels like the perfect way to celebrate everything we have achieved together.
We hope to see as many of you as possible. Come along, bring your family, and let us enjoy a wonderful day together.
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To provide tailored educational support and resources to children and young people, while equipping parents, especially those whose English is an additional language (EAL), with the skills and knowledge to support their children's growth and development effectively. We aim to improve educational outcomes and strengthen community bonds by fostering a collaborative and nurturing environment.
Our Vision
To create an inclusive and thriving community where children and families from all backgrounds, especially those whose English is an additional language in the UK, are empowered to excel academically, socially, and personally, regardless of barriers such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
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www.strivingforinclusion.com