So as I have worked with children and young people for 10 years now, I thought I should write about what I am up to at the moment. Alongside my job as a Speech and Language Therapist, I work as a personal assistant (PA) for a lovely young man, *who I am going to call Sam* every Saturday. As we go out and about so much I thought I would review where we have been and what we have enjoyed!
Stockley Farm, Arley Hall Cheshire
Now we both love Stockley Farm! It is a lovely place, situated in the grounds of Arley Hall. Upon arriving, you pay for your entrance (carers get in free) and climb aboard a big green tractor and trailer. Now this requires climbing up three steps, which Sam is able to do. However, I know that you can park your car up at the farm if you are unable to access the tractor ride from the larger car park. ****According to their website -
"A trailer has been modified with a ramp so disabled visitors can enjoy the ride down to the farm"
Having arrived at the farm, there are so many activities to do, birds of prey shows, bottle feeding of the baby goats (a personal favourite of ours). There are lots of farm animals to stroke and some you can feed (times are on the boards when you go in) and a pets corner where you can hold rabbits, pole cats etc.
There is also one disabled toilet, however from memory I do not think this contains a hoist, so maybe check before you go!
My favourite thing about Stockley Farm... the attitude of the staff! They are so friendly, helpful and inclusive of everyone! They can even arrange private bottle feeding or pony grooming, particularly amazing for those with sensory needs!
Overall we love Stockley Farm and would rate it - 10/10!
Click here for more info
"A trailer has been modified with a ramp so disabled visitors can enjoy the ride down to the farm"
Having arrived at the farm, there are so many activities to do, birds of prey shows, bottle feeding of the baby goats (a personal favourite of ours). There are lots of farm animals to stroke and some you can feed (times are on the boards when you go in) and a pets corner where you can hold rabbits, pole cats etc.
There is also one disabled toilet, however from memory I do not think this contains a hoist, so maybe check before you go!
My favourite thing about Stockley Farm... the attitude of the staff! They are so friendly, helpful and inclusive of everyone! They can even arrange private bottle feeding or pony grooming, particularly amazing for those with sensory needs!
Overall we love Stockley Farm and would rate it - 10/10!
Click here for more info
Warrington Play & Sensory Centre
The sensory centre is great for all ages and we love making lots of new friends everytime we go! The centre is only small, but contains a sensory room complete with water bed, lights and ball pool (amongst other things). A play area for the tiny ones, with lots of soft play toys and a ball pool. And there is the big play area, complete with yet another ball pool (where I often get buried!), a big wavy slide, trampoline and all you usual play area type things!
Why do we enjoy warrington play and sensory centre - As it is only small, the staff really get to know you and make a real effort to remember Sam's name and say hello to him as we walk in! Again carers get in for free. There are usually a few lovely ladies that volunteer their time on a Saturday, often providing art and craft activities or making balloons for the kids! (we walked around the rest of Saturday with a balloon giraffe last week!). They have a simple selection of drinks and snacks, but they do not charge extensive prices as some play centres do! - and their toast and hot chocolate taste lovely (we often enjoy a Saturday morning treat!).
They are fully accessible in terms of the sensory room and changing areas with track hoists on the ceiling.
Before you set off, be sure to check their Facebook page as they put up a weekly timetable of when they are open and any events happening!
We would rate the centre 9/10 - just wish it was open longer on Saturdays (often has birthday party's in an afternoon! Although I'd like a party there!!)
Click here to check out their facebook page!
Why do we enjoy warrington play and sensory centre - As it is only small, the staff really get to know you and make a real effort to remember Sam's name and say hello to him as we walk in! Again carers get in for free. There are usually a few lovely ladies that volunteer their time on a Saturday, often providing art and craft activities or making balloons for the kids! (we walked around the rest of Saturday with a balloon giraffe last week!). They have a simple selection of drinks and snacks, but they do not charge extensive prices as some play centres do! - and their toast and hot chocolate taste lovely (we often enjoy a Saturday morning treat!).
They are fully accessible in terms of the sensory room and changing areas with track hoists on the ceiling.
Before you set off, be sure to check their Facebook page as they put up a weekly timetable of when they are open and any events happening!
We would rate the centre 9/10 - just wish it was open longer on Saturdays (often has birthday party's in an afternoon! Although I'd like a party there!!)
Click here to check out their facebook page!
Gullivers World, Warrington
Now I'm sure people have had lovely days out at Gulliver's, but I can only write about what we experienced. So Sam had been signing to me that he wanted to go to "world" all morning. So we got there and parked up (it was crazy busy). As i turned the engine off, he started signing "home" faster and faster as he was scared of the rides and had changed his mind. We got out of the car and asked the car park attendant how to get out of the car park. I don't think he understood what we were asking, but he sent us the wrong way and we reached another car park attendant who led us into the oncoming traffic! There was very little room to reverse as people were letting their children walk randomly through the car park! After a very stressful time and finally getting out of their, I messaged them on Facebook. I specifically wrote in the message that this was "not a complaint, but I wanted to let them know that their car park attendants may not know what to do if someone has an emergency". They have read the message and never replied. Not even a thankyou for your message.
Our Rating - 0/10!
Our Rating - 0/10!
Tatton Park - farm and tractor ride!
We have only been here twice but we enjoyed it! £3 per adult return ticket on the little steam train (can't remember what I paid for Sam). This takes you down from the car park to the farm. When you get to the farm you have to pay again. Carers get in free, I think kids are £4, however can get half price entry on top of this if you are a national trust member! When you go in, there are the usual goats, sheep pigs etc. It is less hands on than Stockley but still a lovely little afternoon!
The train does not always run, the second time we walked down to the farm in the torrential rain! And the farm does not open until 12pm.
We rate it - 6/10!
The train does not always run, the second time we walked down to the farm in the torrential rain! And the farm does not open until 12pm.
We rate it - 6/10!
Knowlsey Safari Park!
As you can probably guess by now, Sam loves animals! We have been to Knowsley Safari Park 4 weeks in a row once! It is particularly good when its raining and you have nowhere to go! Again carers get in free, and if you go alot like we do, you can get a yearly pass for the person you pay for (eg Sam). It is great to see the animals up close, Lions and camels are particular favourites of ours! If you are happy to, you can go through the monkey enclosure! I have not been brave enough yet, due to a new car and seeing others have their windscreen wipers taken off by monkeys! There is also a few fairground rides, although we've never bothered so I couldn't tell you about the accessibility of these! There is some animals to see outside of the car - elephants, giraffes and a seal/ sea lion show! This show is very accessible, with the staff ensuring plenty of space is left for wheelchairs. Again, I can't quite remember the toilet situation but I don't remember seeing a hoist in the disabled toilet.
We vote Knowsley Safari Park - 9/10!
Click here to find out more!
We vote Knowsley Safari Park - 9/10!
Click here to find out more!