Holly attends our Birkdale Day Service, and we had a chat with Holly's mum to see how she finds it. 

How did you first hear about Birkdale Day Services?

One of Holly friends from her school who had left a couple of years before her was attending. Her mum was saying good things about your service so I decided to look into it for myself.

Activities and environment are very similar to what Holly was used to at school, sensory based activities as well as time spent in the community. Birkdale could provide for Holly’s complex needs. 

Tell me a bit about how you first made contact and Holly’s first few visits.

I made a call and got to talk to the manager at the time. I explained our situation and she told me all about the service and what they could offer.

We spent quite a while chatting and then was invited to come along after one of the sessions to meet the main staff and see the centre, which was in Birkdale road at the time. We couldn’t come to see a session because of covid restrictions. It gave us a good idea of what it would be like for Holly and she seemed calm and happy in the lovely environment, with a sensory room, changing facilities etc.

What do you like most about Birkdale Day Services? 

Holly goes to Birkdale three days a week which are fixed. The activities are very well suited to her. She enjoys sensory activities. They have a dedicated sensory based activity coordinator who works one to one and in groups.

I asked if Holly could be assisted with TacPac, a sensory communication activity that she enjoyed at school and the staff were very happy to accommodate this.

I love that we have got to know the lovely staff looking after Holly throughout the day. There are a range of ages, ladies and men which I think is great.

I think that it is particularly lovely when the young staff support Holly, just like they are friends spending time together.

Holly loves going out and about and the staff frequently take Holly for a walk along the prom, or into town for a cup of tea, or even occasionally to play a game of bowling. They did take Holly swimming for a while which is her favourite activity of all!

What benefits does Birkdale bring, to you and to Holly?

Holly gets to spend time in a different environment than home, see different faces than mum and dad and be around her friends. She is given opportunities to be part lots of stimulating Activities. I can go shopping, see friends, go to places that are wheelchair unfriendly! And I can catch up on some sleep if I need to, knowing Holly is very well looked after.

Before we found Birkdale we were anxious that there would be no equivalent appropriate provision similar to schooling that had happened up until the age of 19.

However, we feel that the appropriate next stage for Holly, catering for post school years has been identified in Birkdale, so we feel very blessed that this provision is available for her.