AN ONLINE community which supports families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has joined forces with a local garden centre this Christmas to produce an inclusive Santa’s Grotto.

Hard Day Out “Made Easy” have been working with Dobbies Garden Centre in Cirencester to put on ‘Sensitive Santa’ sessions throughout December to give an opportunity for children with additional needs to meet Santa within the parameters of a “relaxed environment”.

The group provided resources and ideas for the “Sensitive Santa” sessions.

Family’s pre booked the “session” which meant there were no queues and children could come and go throughout the session, and have their photograph taken in a more relaxed environment.

The sensory friendly atmosphere provided a low stress, quiet surrounding creating an ideal setting for children to meet Santa.

There was a collection of “bean bags” in the outside section so children could relax, with a variety of toys.

The presents were unwrapped and children selected the present they liked. Santa and his team of elves engaged with the children by changing the language they used, altering the questioning and getting down to the children’s level to communicate.

Vicki Buchalik the owner of Hard days Out said “I was overwhelmed by the session. My son who has autism had the best Santa experience ever. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at Dobbies who worked so hard to put on a truly magical experience. I would especially like to thank Claire Tunham who helped coordinate the event”.

The last session is this Sunday, December 23 and there were three in total. All the sessions sold out.

For more information about the work Hard days Out are doing in Gloucestershire and the South West within venues and businesses please email: vicki@harddaysout.com and visit Facebook page @harddaysoutmadeeasy