Once a fortnight in The Hub on Ayton Road, you will find a hall filled with play, chatter and utter joy as children develop and explore their surroundings. Unlike other toddler groups, there are very small numbers, low lighting and toys developed to support sensory play. The children and carers are all known by name and over a hot drink and a biscuit we chat, celebrate achievements, and find solutions for issues that come with having a child who needs extra support.

Last year, after discovering how little support was available, Hope Community Church decided to start Additional Needs Hoppers to provide a space that would support families in the early years of parenting an SEN child. Our group is for children aged 0-4 with any physical or social-communication needs.

Discovering, or even just suspecting, your child has additional needs can be a daunting and sometimes lonely place to be. There are appointments, research, form filling and often lots of disappointment in realising your child’s future may not be the one you expected for them. We want to support families in this and make sure no one feels alone in this journey. Additional Needs Hoppers meets every other Wednesday as a safe place for preschoolers and their carers to come and meet other families on similar journeys. Our group is run by both parents and educators with a wide range of experience supporting children with additional needs in both the home and educational settings.

‘It’s refreshing to find a group that caters for children with additional needs. Traditional toddler groups are too overwhelming for Sebastian, so finding this group has been a life saver. Not only is it a safe space for him to play, it’s also a lovely community that offers resources and advice to parents who have to navigate the official diagnosis stage of autism.’ - Jemma, Sebastian’s mum.

For more information please email helen@hopecommunitychurch.co.uk or find us on Facebook ‘Additional Needs Hoppers, Wymondham’ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088079000917