Let’s Chat

Posted at 11:20 am on 23rd November, 2023

Trafford SEND Conference 2023

On the 15th November, a team of Wellacre students attended the Trafford and Gorse Hill SEND Conference "Let's Chat" at The Life Centre in Sale.

This year’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Conference was all about connecting - with our inner selves and with others.  The theme “Let’s Chat” provided a focus on personal wellbeing with organisers hearing from young people on how they would like to improve this. 

Other agencies and organisations in attendance and eager to hear young peoples’ opinions included CAMHS, Trafford Leisure, Trafford Council and Gorse Hill Studios.

Connell and Isaac, Year 8, and Tom, Year 10, joined the conference to explore a series of questions together such as ‘What does good wellbeing look like?’ ‘Do our spaces encourage good mental health?’ and ‘What are my dreams and aspirations?’

There were four workshops, beginning with a session around dreams and aspirations for the future and what students might need to realise these goals, including what schools can do to help SEND students and if there are any barriers that might stop them getting there. 

The next session was Mindfulness with students practising various techniques to take time out and relax.  This session involved using all 5 senses, which the students enjoyed, especially the balloons and the lolly at the end! 

They also took part in a group discussion on how schools can better support children who have SEND needs with their wellbeing in school.

Miss Wedderburn, Inclusion Assistant, said:

“Students were all asked to voice their own ideas on things they would find useful in school and I was proud that Tom was extremely brave and suggested that SEND students could have fidget toys to help with their concentration in school.”

The final session was a physical activity about Healthy Bodies and students learnt about blood pressure, lung capacity and the importance of exercise for mental and physical health while playing a bean bag throwing game!

Isaac, Year 8, said:

"It was good; I enjoyed it and had fun! I liked the mindfulness balloons."

Tom, Year 10, added:

"It was great! The conference was very interactive and well structured.”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, commented:

“It was a great opportunity for some of our students to join the conference as part of the SEND Week of Action in Trafford. It is important that the voice of young people across the authority is heard and they can help to shape policy and practice as a result. Well done to all those young people involved.”